Spring Break
Scooter sales boom, bring safety and legal issues
Kimber Wenzelburger
Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: News
"I don't typically mind the scooters on the sidewalks, except for when there is a big crowd of people and the scooter is inconveniently trying to get through the crowd," Carpenter said.
"Sometimes I also feel a little nervous… I haven't had any accidents with people on scooters, but I could definitely see it happening," she said.
Sophomore Erin Scarbrough was almost hit by two people riding the same scooter on the sidewalk, she said.
"They drove up on the sidewalk, and I tried to dodge them, but they were coming right at me and I almost got ran over," Scarbrough said.
Two people riding on a scooter is legal if the scooter is equipped with an extra seat and proper foot support, according to Arkansas Code. However, having more than two people on a scooter at one time is prohibited.
"[Multiple people on a scooter] doesn't really bother me so much," Scarbrough said. "My biggest problem is that they were on the sidewalk when there was an empty street. They had no reason to be on the sidewalk."
Steven Hankins, a senior who borrowed his 15-year-old brother's scooter last semester to move around campus easier, "sometimes [rides] on sidewalks when there aren't too many people around," he said.
"I think it's fine if you don't drive it like an out-of-control lunatic," Hankins said. "The scooter can go just as slow as a bike or person walking if you want it to.
"Of course, there are those idiots who think that the scooter has one speed… That's when I think it's not okay," he said.
Senior Will Estes, who bought a scooter at the beginning of summer, tries to only ride it on the sidewalk when it is necessary to park, he said.
"I pull it up right in front, and I don't block the door or the path or anything… like if I park next to a bike rack," he said. "I guess there are some spots where you kind of have to [ride on the sidewalk] for at least 20 feet."
Scooters that are 50 cubic centimeters or smaller cannot be ridden on the highway, and a certificate issued by state police is required for riders who do not have a driver's license, according to Arkansas Code. However, scooters larger than 50 cc require a license and can be ridden on the highway.
"Sometimes I also feel a little nervous… I haven't had any accidents with people on scooters, but I could definitely see it happening," she said.
Sophomore Erin Scarbrough was almost hit by two people riding the same scooter on the sidewalk, she said.
"They drove up on the sidewalk, and I tried to dodge them, but they were coming right at me and I almost got ran over," Scarbrough said.
Two people riding on a scooter is legal if the scooter is equipped with an extra seat and proper foot support, according to Arkansas Code. However, having more than two people on a scooter at one time is prohibited.
"[Multiple people on a scooter] doesn't really bother me so much," Scarbrough said. "My biggest problem is that they were on the sidewalk when there was an empty street. They had no reason to be on the sidewalk."
Steven Hankins, a senior who borrowed his 15-year-old brother's scooter last semester to move around campus easier, "sometimes [rides] on sidewalks when there aren't too many people around," he said.
"I think it's fine if you don't drive it like an out-of-control lunatic," Hankins said. "The scooter can go just as slow as a bike or person walking if you want it to.
"Of course, there are those idiots who think that the scooter has one speed… That's when I think it's not okay," he said.
Senior Will Estes, who bought a scooter at the beginning of summer, tries to only ride it on the sidewalk when it is necessary to park, he said.
"I pull it up right in front, and I don't block the door or the path or anything… like if I park next to a bike rack," he said. "I guess there are some spots where you kind of have to [ride on the sidewalk] for at least 20 feet."
Scooters that are 50 cubic centimeters or smaller cannot be ridden on the highway, and a certificate issued by state police is required for riders who do not have a driver's license, according to Arkansas Code. However, scooters larger than 50 cc require a license and can be ridden on the highway.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Tiffany Webb
posted 1/15/08 @ 9:13 PM CST
I don't understand why there are not any tickets written. It wouldn't take too much effort to find violaters of these policies. On any given day there are multiple scooters parked between Old Main and the Peace Fountain. (Continued…)
Charlie Alison
posted 1/16/08 @ 9:14 AM CST
Just wanted to say thanks to Kimber and the Traveler for this story. Safety issues on campus are important and this story looks at a growing segment of students who use scooters. (Continued…)
Brian
posted 1/18/08 @ 1:18 AM CST
As a long time scooter rider, and facilitator of the current scooter policy enacted about 3-4 years ago, I too am concerned about what I'm seeing on campus. (Continued…)
Matt
posted 1/23/08 @ 11:58 PM CST
I think these laws need to be rewritten. They are way out of date. I don't mean scooters should be allowed to drive on sidewalks, but they SHOULD be allowed to park there, and they can park in such a way as to still allow for pedestrian traffic. (Continued…)
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