Spring Break
Scooter sales boom, bring safety and legal issues
Kimber Wenzelburger
Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: News
Anyone riding a scooter too small to be on the highway will be pulled over, said Sgt. Shannon Gabbard of the Fayetteville Police Department.
"We'll ask them why they're out there; they might just not be aware of [the law]… and there is a statute that allows you to issue a citation for impeding traffic flow if you deem it necessary," he said.
However, Gabbard has not seen a significant increase in accidents involving scooters, he said.
"I mean, some [scooters] are fast enough [to ride on the highway], but there's no way that mine could possibly do that," said Estes, whose 50 cc scooter goes about 35-40 mph.
"Typically, I avoid all streets with speed limits higher than 40," Hankins said, "thus leaving highways out of the equation. Overall, I think scooters should avoid the highway."
Riding scooters on the highway "seems pretty unsafe to me," sophomore Zach Jostad agreed, "and I wouldn't do it. But if other people choose to ride scooters on the highway, then that's fine with me, because it doesn't affect me any."
Crain has seen an increase in scooters on campus, but it's difficult to know exactly why their popularity has grown, he said.
"It's just the easiest way for me to get around town," said Estes, who cited high gasoline prices as the main reason he was prompted to buy a scooter.
In the first six months of 2006, 19.7 percent more scooters were sold compared to that same period in 2005, according to a Motorcycle Industry Council press release.
Rising fuel prices have contributed to the surge in scooter sales, according to the press release, as many scooters are capable of getting 60-80 miles per gallon.
"We'll ask them why they're out there; they might just not be aware of [the law]… and there is a statute that allows you to issue a citation for impeding traffic flow if you deem it necessary," he said.
However, Gabbard has not seen a significant increase in accidents involving scooters, he said.
"I mean, some [scooters] are fast enough [to ride on the highway], but there's no way that mine could possibly do that," said Estes, whose 50 cc scooter goes about 35-40 mph.
"Typically, I avoid all streets with speed limits higher than 40," Hankins said, "thus leaving highways out of the equation. Overall, I think scooters should avoid the highway."
Riding scooters on the highway "seems pretty unsafe to me," sophomore Zach Jostad agreed, "and I wouldn't do it. But if other people choose to ride scooters on the highway, then that's fine with me, because it doesn't affect me any."
Crain has seen an increase in scooters on campus, but it's difficult to know exactly why their popularity has grown, he said.
"It's just the easiest way for me to get around town," said Estes, who cited high gasoline prices as the main reason he was prompted to buy a scooter.
In the first six months of 2006, 19.7 percent more scooters were sold compared to that same period in 2005, according to a Motorcycle Industry Council press release.
Rising fuel prices have contributed to the surge in scooter sales, according to the press release, as many scooters are capable of getting 60-80 miles per gallon.
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…)
Post a Comment