Guest Column: Students share opinions on e-bikes and e-scooters
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There have been some strong opinions on the topic of E-bikes, E-scooters, and hoverboards around Utah State University campus. It has been said by some that they create havoc and safety concerns among USU students while they walk to their classes.
According to several USU students, they have, on many occasions, almost gotten hit while walking to class because of reckless students on e-bikes and e-scooters. For example, an Agriculture business student, Auden Smith, said, “They always go really fast, I’ve had a few near-death experiences.” Another student, Kate Nielson, 20, said, “I think e-bikes, especially around campus, are problematic. Just because they are a lot bigger than scooters and e-skateboards, and you can go a lot faster on them.”
Other students believe they are a great way to get to and from class around campus. Hiedi Gerdts, 19, said, “I think they’re very expensive, but I want one.” And another student, Jennifer Parke, who is a recreation administration major, said, “I think they’re nice, I don’t mind when students use them. I think they’re helpful and would encourage kids to use them.”
Kyle Merdock, a mechanical engineer major, said, “I’m a huge advocate for them, I think they’re fun.” He also adds that he has a scooter himself and enjoys riding it to and from class.
Parke also said, “I would have to say to have separate areas for students who are walking and for students who are biking and all. Kinda like a bike trail on the sidewalk.”
Many other students had the same idea of having separate lanes for students and e-vehicles. For example, Elsie Jones, who is from Salem, Utah, and is a veterinary science major, said, “I think we should have separate walking areas because I just don’t love when I’m walking to class and I feel like I’m about to get taken out.”
Another student, Alyvia Christian, 19, agrees with Jones about having separate areas and lanes for e-bikes and scooters. She said that there should be a little lane for electric motors. But she also expressed that even if they did have separate lanes and areas, pedestrians would not respect or yield to the people in the other lane. Christian also adds, “E-vehicles can be quite annoying because they can cut you off and speed right past you.”
A business and system technology major, Taylor Thurman, said, “As long as they stick to one side and they’re not weaving in and out of traffic and people, I think it’s okay.”
Ashlyn Porter, another USU student, said, “If you need to get to class fast, I think it’s totally valid, because some people have back to back classes, so I understand.” She also added that using an e-bike up the hill is totally valid.
Porter also talks about Aggie Blue Bikes. She explained that they make you go through a training course on how to safely ride your bike around pedestrians. She explains that it would be good to tell people to be considerate and mindful of everyone around them.
Porter lastly added that it would be a good idea to have the people who have electric vehicles get them registered under USU and to have them watch a video of the proper way to use them and ride them around campus.
Finance Major, Colten Boyed, conveys that it seems like a nice way to get around campus. “More efficient than what I’m doing,” he said.
While a professional pilot major, Henry Napp, said “I don’t mind them, but sometimes they’re a little reckless, but I think it’s nice for some people to have motor transportation.” He thinks once or twice someone has gone a little too fast but doesn’t believe anything needs to be done about it.
Sarah Potter, 19, said, “It’s annoying when they weave in and out of people when they’re trying to get to class, and they keep cutting them off.” And a nursing student, Briana Condi, said, “As long as they’re not going too fast and not getting in people’s ways or risking other people’s safety, I don’t really care.”
Two friends, Aubrey Hansen, 18, and Nathan Broander, 19, who were out playing a game on the quad, said, “I have mixed feelings, like them and hate them.” And Broander said, “Sometimes they do get in the way.”
Many students love the idea of e-vehicles around campus, while many don’t love the idea of them on campus. And many shared ideas to help with the safety of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Kelly is a first-year journalism major at USU who enjoys reading and writing in her free time.
— a02467916@usu.edu