Case Quad, one of the busiest places on campus, became a little more pedestrian friendly this school year. The university banned skateboards, bikes and electric scooters from speeding through. Everyone who can is supposed to take the Quad at a walk.

A Public Safety Task Force convened in early 2023 had recommended the change, citing a larger student population, too many near misses, and some real injuries as walkers got upended by a wheeled vehicle, which have grown in number and variety.

“While the university supports the use of bikes, scooters and skateboards as effective modes of transportation, it recognizes that they can pose a safety risk to pedestrians in much the same way that cars can pose a risk,” the committee said in a statement published in the student newspaper, The Observer.

The new message for anyone entering the Quad: Dismount at a bike rack. The university has banned electric scooters, bicycles, rollerblades, roller skates and even skateboards on the venerable walkways.

While compliance is far from universal, there is a noticeable new calmness on the oldest part of campus.