OPINION & EDITORIAL
Shifting gears
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Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- A security fee-for-all (December 11, 2007)
- Farewell, Chancellor (December 10, 2007)
- $$FC (December 6, 2007)
- In a bind (December 5, 2007)
- Entitlement Town (December 4, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Mopeds a danger to all (February 14, 2002)
- Tipping over mopeds is not a victimless crime (November 14, 2002)
- Students' negligence unsafe (November 16, 2006)
- The flavor of campus rush hour (December 2, 2003)
- Letters to the editor -- 02/21/02 (February 21, 2002)
by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
The newly implemented Enhanced Moped Parking Zone has caused quite a nuisance for scores of moped drivers this fall. Since the policy took effect this semester, moped drivers can only park in individually marked moped parking areas on campus. The ordinance does not apply to university residence halls.
Mopeds are noticeably the primary mode of transportation for many UW students. According to UW Transportation, there were approximately 1,000 moped drivers on campus last year, and it was estimated that about 600 mopeds were parked on campus at any one time. Surveying is currently underway and new figures should be available soon.
In light of the escalating number of scooters on campus, the university has been gradually increasing moped parking spaces on university grounds. Currently, UW Transportation Services has designated about 25 moped parking areas around campus with about 700 moped spaces.
Though the university has been trying to accommodate the growing number of mopeds on campus, many students are still frustrated with the limited amount of moped parking. And the $40 parking tickets are adding up. In a three-week period beginning Sept. 19, 113 citations and 224 warnings were issued.
Many students have voiced their frustration over the new parking regulations to the Office of the Dean of Students, and some have even brought their citations to the office.
Because of the apparent problems such a policy has created, we ask the university to consider using non-traditional area to create additional moped parking spaces within a reasonable distance to heavily used classroom buildings on campus.
We also encourage Transportation Services to not ticket mopeds parked in non-obstructing areas near these heavily used buildings. Finally, students need to respect the intent of the new parking regulations and not park their scooter in a manner that would obstruct the flow of traffic into or around buildings or sidewalks.
Additionally, we call on ASM to exercise its shared governance prerogative and get involved in the moped-parking problem. Berquam has recommended that ASM take an active role in the moped issue, and we urge them to do so.
Anonymous (October 12, 2005 @ 2:17am):
Little moped spots? What happened to the days when they were parked anywhere...
Anonymous (October 12, 2005 @ 9:49am):
In the mentioned survey, are we going to find out the distance from campus which moped riders live? This would be interesting. I suspect that a vast majority live within easy walking distance. If not, easy biking distance. If not, easy bus-riding distance.
If you're not into those options or think they don't apply to you, fine. But, don't expect the other 40,000+ students here that choose to use alternative transportation to give a shit. Of course, if most of those 600 scooter riders live 10 miles off campus, not on a busline, I stand corrected.
And, we should begin emissions testing on those flying lawnmowers.
Anonymous (October 12, 2005 @ 10:06am):
how about walking?
