DOTS adds more scooter parking due to increasing demand on South Campus

In order to accommodate the large number of scooter riders living in South Campus who routinely park their scooters in spaces not intended for them, DOTS is installing more than 20 new scooter-only parking spaces behind the South Campus Dining Hall.

These installments are the newest additions to scooter accommodations the Department of Transportation Services has been working to augment all semester. In some existing lots — 11b, 1b, 4b and FF — DOTS will also be adding locking bars so scooter owners can secure their bikes.

According to a press release issued by DOTS earlier this week, some students were concerned about not being able to secure their scooters when they parked them in open lots around the campus, prompting DOTS to include locking bars in the four existing lots.

Most students don't lock their scooters, even though DOTS has been working to raise awareness about better scooter and bike practices by handing out bike locks and creating more options for students who want added security.

Before the new lock-equipped spaces, scooter riders' only option was to rent a scooter/bicycle cage in Mowatt Lane Garage. But the caged-in spaces come at a price. For $40 per semester and $75 per year, scooter riders could rest assured that their mopeds were safely locked away.

For those who do not want to pay or park at Mowatt, these new locking bars supply additional security at no extra cost.

The new scooter spots will be added behind the South Campus Dining Hall, an area where DOTS officials say there is an overwhelming demand for more scooter parking.

According to the press release, DOTS Director David Allen worked with South Campus Dining Hall administrators to turn the truck turnaround area into a parking area.
DOTS officials were unavailable for further comment.

Sporting venues on the campus, such as Byrd Stadium, Comcast Center and Ludwig Field, have also seen an increase in scooter parking accommodations this semester because many student athletes ride scooters.

More parking for scooters has also been added in Mowatt Lane Garage.

Student scooter riders were excited to hear about the additional parking in such a popular location.

Freshman secondary education major Kyle Liberato said he often parks his scooter behind Garrett Hall but the parking lot there is usually full.

"That's a good idea to put the parking behind the dining hall," he said. "There's never enough space [behind Garrett Hall]. This place is always packed."

redding at umdbk dot com