Moped/scooter restrictions on campus

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Wisconsin
1

<p>Kind of late notice for the fall if it wasn't previously disseminated.</p>

<p>UW-Madison</a> plans new restrictions on students' moped use</p>

2

<p>It was floated before end of last semester. I’m not so keen an such a near total ban on campus. One of the things that makes UW unique.</p>

<p>[The</a> Badger Herald: Moped safety under review in light of accidents](<a href=“http://badgerherald.com/news/2012/03/01/moped_safety_under_r.php]The”>http://badgerherald.com/news/2012/03/01/moped_safety_under_r.php)</p>

3

<p>Good idea. Mentioned- mopeds were not intended as on campus use but rather for getting from campus to elsewhere. No need for them- a luxury item causing problems for others.</p>

4

<p>Why is it a “luxury” item? They can be had for the cost of a bike. Why should UW decide what is needed? The bus system is very expensive (student fees) and not as efficient for many people. The problems are minor and can be handled with a bit of education for the few who have problems. I amn sure there as many bike and walking accidents as those relatively few moped crashes. Excessive nannyism. UW should worry about real problems not make them for people.</p>

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<p>Death is not minor- real problem. Luxury means not needed, regardless of relative cost. It sounds like too many poor scooter operators- spoils it for all.</p>

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<p>From 2008:</p>

<p>Mopeds and Scooters
Mopeds are involved in 30–40 injury-producing accidents per year in the campus area. Because UW–Madison has one of the highest concentrations of mopeds in the entire country, practicing safe driving techniques can help prevent accidents from occurring.</p>

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<p><a href=“http://transportation.wisc.edu/newsAndEvents/news.aspx?date=8_2012[/url]”>http://transportation.wisc.edu/newsAndEvents/news.aspx?date=8_2012&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Residence Hall Moped Parking Permit Application Available 08/21/2012
Moped operators who live on campus will have the right of first refusal to purchase a permit in a moped lot near their residence hall. These lots include 603, 604, 605, 606, 614, 615, 635, 660, 662, 663 and 664. </p>

<p>The on-line application for purchasing permits in these lots is available HERE: <a href=“http://www.transportation.wisc.edu/forms/MopedPermitHousing.aspx[/url]”>http://www.transportation.wisc.edu/forms/MopedPermitHousing.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Applications will be available until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at which time any permits that are still available will be added to the general Moped Parking Permit availability pool. Once eligibility of applications is verified, purchasers will be contacted via email with directions for permit payment and pick up.</p>

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<p>February 2012 Forum - roll out of new policy:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.transportation.wisc.edu/files/2012MopedForumPresentation.pdf[/url]”>http://www.transportation.wisc.edu/files/2012MopedForumPresentation.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Yes, they had their minds set on that for sure. Right down to biased language in the presentation. I think a line of scooters in front of a building looks like Rome and other cool cities.</p>

<p>[Google</a> Image Result for <a href=“http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000y_Qk6eVh0QE/s/860/860/Italy-Street-Parking.jpg[/url]”>http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000y_Qk6eVh0QE/s/860/860/Italy-Street-Parking.jpg](<a href=“http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS400US400&biw=1536&bih=639&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=g_oPUChdgM4lOM:&imgrefurl=http://icwphotography.photoshelter.com/image/I0000y_Qk6eVh0QE&imgurl=http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000y_Qk6eVh0QE/s/860/860/Italy-Street-Parking.jpg&w=860&h=574&ei=XtU7UIy9FKHe2QW92ICgAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=113&vpy=76&dur=3038&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=129&ty=115&sig=101300931831194767744&page=2&tbnh=138&tbnw=184&start=24&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:24,i:175]Google”>http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS400US400&biw=1536&bih=639&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=g_oPUChdgM4lOM:&imgrefurl=http://icwphotography.photoshelter.com/image/I0000y_Qk6eVh0QE&imgurl=http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000y_Qk6eVh0QE/s/860/860/Italy-Street-Parking.jpg&w=860&h=574&ei=XtU7UIy9FKHe2QW92ICgAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=113&vpy=76&dur=3038&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=129&ty=115&sig=101300931831194767744&page=2&tbnh=138&tbnw=184&start=24&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:24,i:175)</a></p>

<p>Bike riders in Madison have had and caused many injures and deaths. My car was once hit by a bike and I was hit by one in the leg. No saints. They are often accused of not obeying same laws as some scooters. One is an enforcement issue. The other is individual freedoms and rights.</p>

<p><a href=“http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/article_17c218d7-7a74-5381-8ec3-1b8ccb83ea5e.html[/url]”>http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/article_17c218d7-7a74-5381-8ec3-1b8ccb83ea5e.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

10

<p>I’m in Madison now and I think many moped users are clearly in the dark about the new restrictions. Rules change Sep 1. One guy I met who is in Smith dorm is parking at the non-assigned lot near the Kohl Center. His assigned spot will be near most of his classes near Van Hise area. But get this, the walk from Smith to his moped is about 10-12 minutes. So why not just walk to class? I’ll use my bike for free.</p>

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<p>This is nuts. Once again you can see who’s disconnected. It’s being done in the guise of “safety.” Provide comparisons of bicycling injuries/accidents as well or it’s just bunk you’re feeding us. A moped isn’t a car and it shouldn’t be treated as one. 6 mopeds can fit in a single automobile parking space. The system wasn’t broken before. You parked where there were moped spots available. Yes, students did park where there weren’t actual spaces, SO THEN TICKET THEM. Instead, you’re trying to remove their use from campus when, as others have mentioned, they were an iconic staple to the campus. </p>

<p>Don’t feed us that it’s about safety. It’s not about safety, or bicycles would be banned too. Pity the kids who end up paying for spots and get assigned one by UW hospital. UW better be issuing refunds. More “random lottery” crap just like first-year housing. You pay for it upfront, but have no idea what you’re paying for until you’re assigned. Blah. Unnecessary policy and regulation. Just enforce existing laws. Laziness is what it comes down to.</p>

<p>Also, for previous posters, rolling out a policy and adequately informing students of the changes are two very different things. UW policy makers frequently fail at “informing/educating” part.</p>

<p>When I had a moped, I could only afford the housing and apartments that put me well over 2-3 miles away from campus. A moped was the ONLY practical solution when I was working 20+ hours a week, trying to get to classes on time, and between home, class, and my workplace–not to mention the student organizations I was involved in as an undergrad. I wonder if the policy will be the same for athletes. I’d assume probably not–it never is.</p>

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<p>You are right, the moped policy is not the same for at least some athletes: UW Swim Team members - beginning with the incoming freshmen last year - are not allowed to use a moped, period.</p>

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<p>“I wonder if the policy will be the same for athletes. I’d assume probably not–it never is.”</p>

<p>I was with you on most of this until you made that lame and uninformed remark.</p>

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<p>I’m with Wis75 and Madison85. Mopeds and scooters are among the few things I really dislike here. They are noisy and polluting and ridden with a disregard for the driver’s and pedestrians’ safety.</p>

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<p>Fair on the athlete comment–and yet I’m still curious, because the claim by athletes in my previous classes has always been that they need them to get from one end of campus to the other quickly and easily. My point remains – there was no means of educating or effectively informing students of this change. Now, when they get here in the fall and start following previous years’ protocols (what is normal to them) they’ll get ticketed heavily, the administration will declare moped drivers irresponsible, and student papers and students in general will go into uproar. It’s so predictable.</p>

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<p>Any riding with disregard for others is an enforcement issue and could easily be stepped up as needed. I feel the same about skateboards. Noisy and a danger. But I’m not trying to ban them. I assume they meet any applicable laws on polution.
When the new policy was approved there were complaints that it was done under the radar with two meeting during class time that were not well promoted or attended. I hope the students go nuts on the admin when they try to enforce this.</p>

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<p>MNBadger . . .</p>

<p>I wasn’t here last school year but post UW acceptance I learned of the new moped rules when looking for info on the bus schedule. </p>

<p>[Permit</a> - UW - Motorcycle/Moped](<a href=“http://transportation.wisc.edu/parking/permit_motorcycle.aspx]Permit”>Mopeds – Transportation Services – UW–Madison)</p>

<p>But I agree with you that many are without a clue. There are 5 non-assigned lots on campus, one of course being at Camp Randall and primarily for the football players, but also for all athletes who will be using the athletic academic center.</p>

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<p>Interesting. Stumbled upon this on a blog i’m subscribed to. Private sector picked up on the changes and is trying to step in?? [Why</a> UW Moped Parking Is Changing and What You Can Do](<a href=“Official Site | Madison, WI Apartments | Steve Brown Apartments”>Official Site | Madison, WI Apartments | Steve Brown Apartments)</p>

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<p>That blog appears to be sponsored by Steve Brown Apartments which owns Lucky. Coincidentally, Lucky offers moped parking contracts. Didn’t you work for Steve Brown Apartments/Lucky (house fellow in Lucky 101)?</p>

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<p>I think that is brilliant. There are several other new private housing buildings at various location near campus plus other private lots near and along University Ave. Nice way to add some income for them. Stick to to the man.</p>