On a college campus, an electric scooter feels like a cheat code until it doesn’t. You have plenty of options for getting to class: driving, walking, biking, and more recently, e-scootering.
At first, I was skeptical about the scooters. Sure, they look faster and more convenient than walking, but they also seem like an easy way to accidentally crash into a tree. Perhaps even worse, crashing into a person. So, before you hop on, let’s break down the pros and cons.
pros
- Cuts Walking Time in Half
-
This may seem like an obvious pro, but it’s a game changer when commuting to class from anywhere on or off campus.
FSU’s campus spans a vast 487 acres, so if you have a class on the opposite side, you’ll be stuck walking for 20 minutes! In the heat of Florida (or for when it snows for some reason), that’s not an easy walk. It’s good for getting your steps in, but after a long day or a difficult exam, the last thing that you’d want to do is walk back to your dorm or apartment.
This is where the scooter comes in handy. What’s usually a 20-minute walk easily becomes a 10-minute walk, with little to no effort involved. This is especially helpful if you live off-campus but have no car. With an electric scooter, you can get anywhere you need to go in a fraction of the time!
- No Parking Issues
-
Finding parking is almost always an issue on every college campus, especially at FSU. There are limited spots, and parking garages close randomly for a variety of reasons, leaving students with hardly any parking options that aren’t a country mile away from their classes.
An electric scooter, on the other hand, eliminates the worry about parking. You only have to find bike racks, and there is a plethora of those around campus, outside of nearly every building. Lock that scooter up and go about your day without any parking concerns!
CONS
- Risk of Injury
-
Electric scooters aren’t necessarily the safest vehicle known to man. Bumpy roads, people, curbs, and cars are all obstacles an electric scooter user must always be aware of.
Someone could jump out in front of you, and you’ll have a split second to brake before catastrophe. You could also run over a curb and go flying, or twist your ankle trying to stop on a busy road. It’s hard for cars to see you when you’re zipping by on a scooter, so beware of them; they might not stop for you. The brakes also aren’t as effective when it’s raining, so proceed carefully in poor weather.
- Thieves
-
This is always a risk when it comes to leaving things unattended, but e-scooters are one of the items most susceptible to theft on a college campus. Typical bike locks might not be as safe for locking up an electric scooter. Especially the ones with the combination, as they can be cut easily or someone could slide the scooter right out of the lock.
Most scooters aren’t cheap, so getting one stolen isn’t ideal. The likelihood of you getting it back or compensation is very slim because most people will blame it on the locking technique instead of the person stealing it.
I recommend getting a U-lock for a bike or scooter, which makes it more difficult for people to steal when cutting or removing the scooter from the rack.
Do the pros outweigh the cons? They might be a cheat code if you’re tired of long walks, fighting for parking, or showing up to class drenched in sweat. Whatever you decide, be sure to ride safe, lock it up, and maybe avoid doing tricks on your way to your classes.
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Pinterest!