Students weigh in on scooter use

A scooter sits on the quad where many students ride between classes. Nate Henderson photo

On a campus where most destinations are just minutes apart, scooters can seem like the fastest way to get from point A to point B – but how do students feel about other students’ use of those scooters?

“I think they’re good overall, especially for athletes or people who may be international students and don’t have a car,” said Elijah Goddard, a junior business administration and management major from Monroe, Georgia. “I think it’s beneficial in some ways, but also it can be a little bit dangerous for other people.”

The convenience of a scooter comes with another side of the ride – sharing crowded campus streets and walkways with cars and pedestrians.

“They’re always almost getting hit or they are getting hit,” said Walt Myrick, a freshman business administration major from Wetumpka, Alabama. “Just the other day, just outside of Patterson, two scooters ran into each other.

“I think they’re horrible. It’s not that hard to get around here – it’s a pretty small campus. Maximum walking distance from any dorm is five minutes.”

For some students, the issue isn’t getting around campus, it’s what riders might be missing along the way.

“I think it kind of takes away from getting exercise and things like that,” said Deven Baxter, a senior business administration major from Dothan, Alabama. “I like to walk around and get my exercise for my legs and stuff like that.

“I wouldn’t [ride scooters] myself, but I think it’s pretty cool to see.”

For riders, scooters can mean convenience, independence and a faster trip, but after a campus collision the question remains: are they an issue or not?