While our campus is somewhat small and very walkable, no one enjoys the long trek to West Center or rushing to the opposite end of campus between class periods.
For a short time, it seemed students found a solution to this problem. Riding electric scooters allows students to get to their destinations faster without committing to riding a bike or skateboard.
A win-win for everyone.
Right?
Wrong.
It’s wrong because these scooters are electric and require little physical exertion, so people end up riding much faster than those who ride bikes or skateboards. This would normally be OK, except for the fact that there are always large groups of students walking around campus.
Often, people riding scooters are forced to swerve around students walking to avoid collisions.
Because of the scooter’s low noise level, many students don’t hear those riding scooters around them until the second they speed by, sometimes from a very close distance.
Many of our own staff members have reported almost colliding with someone on an electric scooter, either while walking or driving. Some of our staff members also reported seeing a student nearly collide with two people riding electric scooters.
We don’t say this in an attempt to be righteous, nitpicky or annoying. We can understand the appeal of getting around campus in an easier, faster way.
Instead, we say this out of caution because we care for the safety of every student on campus.
It could take just seconds for something to go wrong while riding a scooter, which could injure both the rider and the people around them. Conditions for riding scooters will only continue to become more dangerous as we enter winter and the snowy, icy days that accompany it.
This issue is not unique to our campus. Thousands of people in the U.S. are injured by electric scooters each year.
However, there are things we can do to keep students, especially those on scooters, safe.
Lopers, next time you ride a scooter, be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to the people around you. When passing fellow students, slow down and make yourself known by saying “On your left,” or a similar phrase.
Those who own electric scooters should purchase either a light or a bright vest to make themselves known while riding in dark areas. It may seem silly, but it can be hard for those driving to see students riding scooters in parking lots or on streets.
While some electric scooters can reach speeds suitable for the road, they are not meant to be driven there.
It would be beneficial for UNK’s communication’s team to release a statement on scooter safety as well. While the University may not be able to implement real rules, a simple statement or list of tips could reach a lot of students, making our campus traffic flow smoother.
In the transition from bikes to electric scooters, the etiquette for riders seems to have been lost.
Lopers, as we continue walking to class in dropping temperatures, be considerate of those walking around you. By being cautious and courteous, we can help everyone make it to their next stop on campus.
