Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Moped riders have been able to park their mopeds alongside bicycles for years, but starting in Fall 2010, the Department of Parking and Transit will allow mopeds to park on campus only in certain areas during the restricted hours of 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Parking Commission, a group composed of students and staff, made the decision in Spring 2009 when concerns were raised over existing policies. Next year, all two-wheeled vehicles, excluding bicycles, will be required to purchase a permit and be allowed to park only in designated “cycle” areas, instead of at bicycle racks.
Brianna Flickinger, Burton senior, said she had been riding her moped on campus for two years because she was allowed to park close to her classes without spending hundreds of dollars on a parking permit. She said she thought the changes were unnecessary.
“There’s no point in having a moped if it’s classified the same as a motorcycle,” Flickinger said. “Mopeds were supposed to be nothing more than a bike.”
Donna Hultine, director of Parking and Transit, said that because mopeds had started becoming a more popular mode of transportation on campus, the Parking Commission thought it necessary to consider new on-campus regulations — in part to accommodate the overcrowded bike racks.
“It used to be very apparent what was a moped or motorcycle, but the lines are more blurred now,” Hultine said. “It’s time to make changes.”
Hultine said the parking department would implement the change over the course of two years by changing permit prices, deciding which places needed more cycle parking this year and prohibiting moped parking on campus during restricted hours next year.
“It might mean adding on to existing lots or that we have to take away from automobile parking,” Steve Schrock, chair of the Parking Commission, said.
This year moped parking permits were lowered from $25 to $15 per year, which is the same as a motorcycle permit. The price will remain the same next year.
Rebecca Beaulieu, Lawrence junior, said she thought that because motorcycle lots were so close to campus and the permits were so cheap, it was still convenient to ride to class.
“Even with the changes,” she said, “it’s still a great alternative to walking and riding a bike.”
Hultine said the lots already designated as motorcycle parking areas could be expanded in order to accommodate the additional moped riders. Hultine said the Parking Commission was still considering ways to accommodate additional cycle parking.
Both Schrock and Hultine said these changes were important to the University’s well-being and were being made mainly for safety reasons. Their goal is to keep as much traffic off of Jayhawk Boulevard as possible. They said students rode their mopeds all the way up to the bike racks, creating the possibility for pedestrian collision, instead of stopping at the sidewalk and walking it to the bike rack.
“Almost everyone who spoke up about the change has had a close call with moped riders on the sidewalks,” Hultine said. “No one has been hurt yet, but we need to make sure that doesn’t change.”
Flickinger said she didn’t think that changing the on-campus policy for moped parking would change much.
“Riding a moped on campus is no more dangerous than riding a bike,” Flickinger said. “We respect people on the sidewalk and road as much as they do us.”
Although moped riders on campus will have to adjust to the policy change, Schrock said the commission was doing its best to locate where the additional parking was needed.
“It’s possible that students who ride mopeds won’t like the change,” Schrock said. “But ultimately this is a safety issue and needs to be addressed.”
— — Edited by Jacob Muselmann
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Comments
New policy in store for moped riders
"Hultine said the Parking Commission was still considering ways to accommodate additional cycle parking."
I know, let's build another practice field!
New policy in store for moped riders
I also heard they were going to enforce shoe permits to be able to walk to class in the near future as jayhawk boulevard has become crowded with pedestrians and, although no one has been hurt, they don't want to see any collisions in the future.
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