OUR VIEW: Step to it–Keep sidewalks safe

Students are not safe on campus, and it isn’t because of gun issues.

Every day, far too many students are seen on bicycles, skateboards, longboards or scooters swerving in and out of pedestrian traffic on the sidewalks. They are usually traveling way too fast and come close to taking out groups of foot-bound students around every corner.

Utah State University policy states, “People should be able to walk on the campus without being threatened by wheeled vehicles. Where possible and practical, the university will provide a safe environment for persons walking the campus and will minimize hazardous conditions.”

Is this being done? No.

The policy continues by limiting permission to use vehicles on the walkways to groups like Parking Services and USU Campus Police. A vehicle, according to the policy, is “any apparatus or equipment used to transport personnel and/or goods to included, but not limited to cars, trucks, skateboards, in-line skates, bicycles, unicycles, ATVs and golf carts.”

Students who use these vehicles to get around campus need to be aware they are violating policies and endangering those people on foot. It doesn’t require much effort to plan ahead and take a couple more minutes to go from class to class.

Campus police need to recognize this danger and help out the majority of students by posting signs limiting where vehicles can be used and enforcing the policy already in place.