2008 Woodie Awards
UA enforces scooter rules on campus
Taniah Tudor
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: News
An increase in students using scooters on campus has brought a concentrated effort in enforcement of state laws and significant changes in parking policies, UA officials said.
With the nationwide move toward greener solutions for everything from food choices to how those choices are carried out of the store, and with the recent slump in the economy, scooters have become a staple in student transportation, on and off campus.
The problem at the UA began with the explosion in the last year of scooters being driven on campus and an increase in complaints about where scooters were being driven and parked, said Steve Voorhies, manager of news and information services for University Relations.
Complaints have been received by officials at the UA Transit and Parking Department, the UA Police Department and University Housing, Voorhies said.
At first, scooters were unofficially treated as bicycles, and scooter usage didn't emerge as problem when only a few were being used on campus, he said. Last year, students were allowed to roll their scooters up to the bicycle racks on campus and park there, but state law prohibits scooters from being driven on sidewalks because they are motorized vehicles.
"Frankly, the university didn't do a lot to communicate this to students last year," Voorhies said.
Thomas Vinson, a junior who lives off campus, said he usually drives his scooter to school and thinks most people driving scooters on campus are doing what they think is within the rules.
"I think it's the driver's responsibility to know the state laws, but if nobody says you can't drive on the sidewalks, why would you stop driving on them?" Vinson said. "If they tell me I can park in a bike rack and the only way to get to it is the sidewalk, I'm going to assume I can drive on the sidewalks."
Complaints have included that scooters were parked in front of doors and walkways and were driven in residence hall hallways and elevators, said Andy Gilbride, UA Parking program adviser.
With the nationwide move toward greener solutions for everything from food choices to how those choices are carried out of the store, and with the recent slump in the economy, scooters have become a staple in student transportation, on and off campus.
The problem at the UA began with the explosion in the last year of scooters being driven on campus and an increase in complaints about where scooters were being driven and parked, said Steve Voorhies, manager of news and information services for University Relations.
Complaints have been received by officials at the UA Transit and Parking Department, the UA Police Department and University Housing, Voorhies said.
At first, scooters were unofficially treated as bicycles, and scooter usage didn't emerge as problem when only a few were being used on campus, he said. Last year, students were allowed to roll their scooters up to the bicycle racks on campus and park there, but state law prohibits scooters from being driven on sidewalks because they are motorized vehicles.
"Frankly, the university didn't do a lot to communicate this to students last year," Voorhies said.
Thomas Vinson, a junior who lives off campus, said he usually drives his scooter to school and thinks most people driving scooters on campus are doing what they think is within the rules.
"I think it's the driver's responsibility to know the state laws, but if nobody says you can't drive on the sidewalks, why would you stop driving on them?" Vinson said. "If they tell me I can park in a bike rack and the only way to get to it is the sidewalk, I'm going to assume I can drive on the sidewalks."
Complaints have included that scooters were parked in front of doors and walkways and were driven in residence hall hallways and elevators, said Andy Gilbride, UA Parking program adviser.
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