Kick Scooter for College

Student Lounge College Life
1

Hey everyone!

I am trying to figure out the best way to navigate through my university’s campus. My dorm happens to be on one end of campus, so it takes me a while to walk to my classes, and it also makes it harder for me to return back to my dorm in between classes because of the distance and summer heat–which, I acknowledge, is temporary. I don’t mind walking, but I have a heavy laptop that I need to use due to my major (therefore, I need to take it with me wherever I go), so my backpack ends up being very heavy. I’m more worried about my back, and there really isn’t a way for me to get around carrying a laptop because I prefer laptops over tablets.

My university campus is situated in a urban setting, and it is rather big. Campus is very flat, with no hills to worry about. I was considering a bike, but because of past experiences with biking accidents, I’d rather not use it if possible. There’s also the possibility of bike theft, but as always I could just get a good lock and lock my bike properly.

That is why I’m leaning more toward kick scooters. I’d get one that is foldable so I can take it to class or put it in my dorm room to prevent theft. Scooters for adults are a must because crouching/bending on a kid scooter would defeat the purpose of me riding a scooter to protect my back.

I’m trying to decide between a regular push kick scooter and an electric kick scooter. Electric ones might be heavier, but could save me a lot of energy; however, I would have to charge the battery, which wouldn’t be much of a problem if I bring my scooter into my dorm to charge. Normal kick scooters are pretty low-maintenance. It doesn’t rain much here, so I’d get a lot of use out of my scooter.

With kick scooters, however, I’m just worried about constantly tripping over stuff on the road like little bits of rock or cracks in the pavement (cue bad childhood memories). It can be more dangerous for me now that I’m carrying such a heavy backpack.

I’m honestly not worried about how ridiculous I would look riding a scooter around campus because I’m that type of person who’s more concerned with “comfort over fashion”. If it’s useful and helps me get somewhere faster, I’m in.

My questions are:

(1) Do you recommend a scooter for transportation around campus?
(2) Should I get a regular kick scooter or an electric kick scooter?

Feel free to give any other suggestions. Thanks!

2

The first question you need to ask is: Are they allowed? Many urban colleges ban the use of scooters/skateboards/rollerblades on at least part of the campus.

3

After a long day at work I would up with new Razor scooter, and because I can’t drive I took it to work every day. It’s coming to college with me! However I wouldn’t feel comfortable with my laptop bag while riding the scooter, just in case.

4

I use a kick scooter (non electric) at my school which has a very large urban campus. It’s a KnowPed by GoPed with a wide deck and wide tires that won’t fall into every crack in the pavement (which was my fear after seeing others crash head over handle bars over the smallest crack in the pavement). So far no accidents. I prefer it to my bike because I can keep an eye on it while in lecture. It has a hand break on the front and a foot break on the back and the deck is wide enough to put both feet on it if you want.

http://goped.com/know-ped/ The electric version runs into the thousands, and it’s heavier than the non electric.

5

My kid used a Raxor on her campus and liked it a lot. Yes, take it inside with you — my kid’s was stolen.

6

@skieruope, I have seen a few students riding around campus, so I’m guessing that it is allowed. Many students also use longboards/skateboards on my campus too. There are walk-only zones, but they are open at certain times of the day. I’d avoid those paths if I were to ride my scooter around.

Thank you all for your responses so far!