An increase in the use of mo-peds on campus has led to a greater awareness for the safety of students and faculty.
Mo-peds are an inexpensive mode of transportation, and with the rising gas prices, they are a better option for students than a car, according to UW-Oshkosh Police Chief Michael Melland.
Mo-peds are also more convenient because they can be parked in the bike racks or in any designated motorcycle space with a valid permit.
Permits cost $8 a semester or $15 for the year, according to Parking Manager at Oshkosh Nancy Bielak.
“The thing that I am the most concerned with is the people driving them through campus,” Melland said. “Some have been seen driving on the strip between Polk and Dempsey. It’s the irresponsibility of the drivers that causes safety problems.”
A student-wide mass e-mail was sent out to inform students about the dangers of mo-peds and to review the mo-ped’s rules of the road.
The e-mail informed students that mo-ped riders must obey all traffic laws, including complying with stop signs, traffic signals and yielding to pedestrians.
Mo-peds are able to ride side-by-side where roads have speed limits of 25 mph if both riders agree.
On roads with a speed limit higher than 25 mph, drivers must ride single file. It is also illegal for more than one person to be on a mo-ped.
A valid driver’s license is required to operate a mo-ped.
“We decided to start dealing with the problem by informing the students that it is illegal to ride mo-peds on sidewalks,” said Chair of the Campus Safety Committee Jim Johnson said. “After that we will attempt to enforce that law by ticketing violators.”
The fine for riding a mo-ped on the sidewalk is $160.80 for the first offense and $198.60 for the second. Mo-peds are only allowed on roadways, except for freeways and certain other roads that prohibit mo-ped users, according to Melland.
There have only been a few complaints about being nearly struck by a mo-ped driver on campus, but it is enough to recognize this as an issue.
No one has been hurt by a mo-ped on campus so far, according to Johnson.
“Students should make sure to wear brightly colored clothing, such as a bright windbreaker, when operating a mo-ped,” Melland said.
“Mo-ped riders are small and not always easily seen by traffic or other students.”
Mo-peds have a maximum speed of about 30 mph and users are not required to wear a helmet.
“They do present a safety issue as many mo-ped users are traveling quite fast as they move through pedestrian areas,” Johnson said.
“Being hit by a fast-moving mo-ped would very likely injure someone.”
Junior Bradi Ebben believes mo-peds are a danger to students on campus.
“There has been a few times where I was almost hit by a mo-ped just walking on the sidewalk in between classes,” Ebben said. “It wouldn’t be such a big deal if they would just stay off the sidewalks like they are supposed to.”
Another student, Laura Neve, thinks mo-peds are a good form of transportation.
“Bikes and mo-peds are a great way to get to class or even make a run to the grocery store for students who can’t afford a car,” Neve said. “I ride my bike to class and it’s way more convenient than walking.”
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