Getting around campus fast

[Kpt._Rob]

I find myself, here in my senior semester, facing a problem I have not faced before. My classes are too far apart for me to walk from one to the next on time. So far I've been having to run part of the way. Not only do I look somewhat out of place, but I show up for class sweaty and out of breath. There has to be a better way.

Obvious answers like a bike or a skateboard, the two most common forms of pedestrian vehicles I see around campus aren't exactly options for me. I haven't ridden a bike in years and I don't want to have to learn while I'm dodging around all the people who are walking. Not to mention, it'd be difficult for me to fit a bike into the little Geo Prizm I drive to get to campus, and a pain in the ass to get it out of the parking garage. As for skateboards, let's just say the idea of trying to learn to skate whilst dodging civilians, is even less appealing than the idea of trying to re-learn to bike around them.

A third solution is one a friend of mine uses from time to time, the scooter. My reservations are best summed up by paraphrasing his words though, "yeah, a scooter is great if you really need to book it, but it's really just impossible to look cool riding one around."

Chances are I'll probably just have to bite the bullet and invest in a scooter, but I figured before that I might ask the good people of the Escapist if they had any better ideas regarding my transit problem. What's a good way to get around a crowded college campus fast?

 

[Maxtro]

All the cool kids ride skateboards.

I got one about a year ago and, it's a ***** to learn. Granted I'm in my 20's.

If you can't ride your bike, just get a scooter. It will get the job done.

 

[teisjm]

by scooter, do you mena a 2 wheel motorized bike? like a motor bike only way smaller, or do you mean one of those 3 wheeled ones most often seen driven by older people, or people who cannot walk for other reasons?

IF it's the first, i'd rather learn to ride a bike in a place full of people than a scooter, since it's basicly like riding a bike, only it's a lot hevier, and more harmfull if you crash into someone.

 

[Ulquiorra4sama]

Tricycle!

That's what all the cool peeps're riding on these days

 

[Kpt._Rob]

by scooter, do you mena a 2 wheel motorized bike? like a motor bike only way smaller, or do you mean one of those 3 wheeled ones most often seen driven by older people, or people who cannot walk for other reasons?

IF it's the first, i'd rather learn to ride a bike in a place full of people than a scooter, since it's basicly like riding a bike, only it's a lot hevier, and more harmfull if you crash into someone.

No, I actually meant one of those little non-motorized scooters. The ones mostly ridden by little kids, hence the inherent humiliation in riding one about campus.

 

[zehydra]

Just inform your professors of your problem. If you're at a good school, this should be no problem.

 

[teisjm]

by scooter, do you mena a 2 wheel motorized bike? like a motor bike only way smaller, or do you mean one of those 3 wheeled ones most often seen driven by older people, or people who cannot walk for other reasons?

IF it's the first, i'd rather learn to ride a bike in a place full of people than a scooter, since it's basicly like riding a bike, only it's a lot hevier, and more harmfull if you crash into someone.

No, I actually meant one of those little non-motorized scooters. The ones mostly ridden by little kids, hence the inherent humiliation in riding one about campus.

Oh, it makes a lot more sense then

Thought you meant one of these

Couldn't help but wonder how riding one of those was humilliating, and help wonder even less how you´'d possibly think it was a better idea to ride one of those than ride a bike, if you can't ride a bike.

I'd say learn to ride a bike, it's a lot more effective than the kind of scooter you mention, and once you learn it, it's a viable way of transportation even if you need to go several kilometers, and not just around campus.

 

[newwiseman]

Get a Big Wheel, the ladies love them.

I see a lot of unicycles when I walk through the local campus.

 

[crudus]

Explaining to your professors the problem seems to be the best cost-effective way of doing it. Professors tend to understand the problems of students fairly well and accommodate when necessary. I personally wouldn't get a scooter just for getting to classes.

 

[loc978]

If you're not willing to get a bike, the scooter is probably your best option.

Spoiler: Pretty sure this would fit in your Geo, though. One fits easily in mine, and it's a Metro convertible.

They are quite expensive, though. Upwards of $600. The smaller-wheeled, awkward looking ones often go for about a third the price, though... depending on how self-important the company that builds 'em is.

 

[somonels]

Bike is the most reliable, non-motorized one. If the roads are good you could get rollerblades. Nobody forgets how to ride a bike. You can get on the saddle and you'll feel at home in ten minutes, twenty tops.

 

[J_Monsterface]

yeah scooter is probably the best bet

at least it looks lees stupid than running

and you wont show up all wet and smelly

 

[Wintermoot]

first of you never lose the ability to ride a bike.
how about roller blades?

 

[Rednog]

I would just tell my teacher that I have a long walk or just leave early from my other class (hell I did it for like 2 semesters, I'd leave like 5-6 minutes early and take a brisk walk to my next class). Considering you're a senior I'm amazed that teachers still care about people being on time.

 

[gabe12301]

You need a segway

do this. and remember: cool segway riders wear both elbow and knee pads and their helmets.