David Pfeffer
Here’s a decision-making problem that even you non-philosophy majors can solve: say there’s a student on a scooter barreling at you on the sidewalk, do you A) stay in your lane and get hit, B) move out of the way or C) move out of the way and roll your eyes? Chances are, you’re like me and roll your eyes at the oblivious passerby.
Since the beginning of the semester, there’s been an infestation of scooters on our campus. Mostly used by underclassmen, this invasive species clogs our environment both in and outside our buildings and congests our walkways.
Now I understand the feeling of nostalgia one may get from using tools from our adolescence and the social high acquired from a hive-mind mentality, but enough is enough. A commute from Bornhuetter to Kauke does not warrant the need of a vehicle. And certainly not necessary is a parade of scooters on this route. Unless you live in Fairlawn or Gault Schoolhouse, a vehicle is most likely not needed to congest the sidewalk (and if you do require a vehicle for accessibility reasons, a scooter is not a good choice!).
Let’s talk about where to and where not to ride a scooter. Just about the only acceptable places would be in the bike lanes lining Beall, and in wide open sidewalks (such as the one in front of the Arch). Everywhere else causes unnecessary congestion and is possibly dangerous. On a narrow path where students are walking? No. On the sidewalk next to the bike lanes? Nope. Into a social event inside of a building at nighttime? Hell no. You may think that riding your Razor into a dancing crowd is a smooth move, but you’d be a fool! You may think that cruising into ongoing foot-traffic with your brigade is cool, but you’re sorely mistaken.
Please be more aware of the impact you have on this campus by riding a scooter, Razor or not. Think critically before you bring a dangerous instrument (re: my ankles at age 10) into a social setting. Stare deeply into the eyes rolling at you next time you force someone off the path and think, how are my actions affecting the greater campus environment? Because guess what: this campus’s foot-traffic has lived in harmony for many years now — up until this semester. Stop trying to make scooters happen, it’s not going to happen.
