The crisp sound of wheels rumbling over concrete and gliding over cracks in the sidewalk will become even more familiar this year for those traveling the sidewalks on Mesa State’s campus. Looking around campus, one may notice new signs asking students to bike and skate with caution. These new signs areflect a new administrative policy for campus transportation.
The new policy allows students to bike and board on and around campus; whereas previously students were asked to walk their bicycles and boards.
“The policy changed since last year,” said Dana Nunn, Spokesman for Mesa State. “The campus has grown so much and the last policy didn’t seem student friendly. They need to be able to get around campus.”
The stretch from one end of campus to the other can be a long one, especially when hurrying between classes in a short time frame. Bicycles, long boards, skate boards, and scooters drastically cut down travel time when moving across campus.
Thomas Dodge, a freshman, moves around campus on his Sector Nine Pintail long board. He has been long boarding for two years now and said, “When I first came to Mesa State I didn’t know I could bring my long board in. Then I saw a couple people bring them into class,” said Dodge. He was glad to know that he could longboard on campus “They’re a great way to get places and I have a lot of spaced out classes. I live off Horizon and ride my longboard to class,” he said.
Matthew Peek, a junior at Mesa, uses his bicycle to get to and from classes.
“I think it’s sweet as long as everyone pays caution,” Peek said. “Vehicles are good about paying caution to me while I’m on my bike, and I do the same for pedestrians.”
Peek has never had any problems with his bike, or any other transport, on campus.
“Usually I say, ‘On your left’ when passing. I definitely warn people if I’m coming,” Peek said.
Many students seem supportive of the new policy and have no problems with cyclists or skaters. Chanel Segrest, a senior, is among those in support of the change in policy. “I don’t object to the new policy. I’m sure I’d have a different opinion if I were to get hit though,” Segrest said.
After several years at Mesa State, she has never had a problem with any cyclists or skaters when on campus. “Everyone shares the road,” says Segrest.
Mesa’s new biking and skating with caution policy is here to stay so long as students do what the policy asks, bike and skate with caution.
“Students have been very courteous since the policy change. They are very good about letting others know when they coming behind them and what side they will be coming on,” Nunn said.
Dodge, Peek, and Segrest all shared this same opinion on the policy. Students can feel at ease since the change in policy and have faith that students will remain cautious when biking and skating on campus.
“Long boards are pretty easy to use and navigate and they are easy to stop,” Dodge said about the safety of longboarding.
Nunn has not heard of any objection to the change and thinks the new student-friendly policy will be a success so long as students remain courteous to one another.
Biking and boarding can be fun, but they can also be efficient modes of transportation in a hurry. Looking out for students’ best interest, Mesa State’s administration recognizes that changes in policy and procedure may need to be made, especially with the growing and transforming campus. If students ever feel a policy needs to be revisited, the administration is willing to listen, take suggestions or concerns into consideration, and make adjustments accordingly