The Problem with Electric Scooters

By Chloe Hunt

Image from Lindsay Love

I’ll be the first to admit. I’m sick and tired of the electric scooters plaguing campus. The rush of air as they pass, sometimes almost knocking me off the sidewalk. The way I’ve never seen one stop for a crosswalk. Ever. Even when someone is walking in it. There have been times where I feel the urge to just stare them down. Like a deer caught in headlights. Would they finally stop for pedestrians or simply find a way to weave around them?

This may be an unpopular opinion. Perhaps I’m being too harsh. But I fear the power is going to people’s heads. And speaking of heads: please put a helmet on! I’ve seen a few crashes and no one is ever protecting themselves. The Raleigh brick and roads are treacherous!

Listen, I understand the appeal. No doubt. Especially with the Carolina heat starting to roll in. Sticky and unforgiving. Walking to class can be bothersome and they get you to your destination quickly. You won’t be late for class! However, electric scooters are becoming menacing- moving at dangerous speeds with little regard to others. So we need to have some kind of unspoken rule, or rather clearly spoken and written somewhere in bold font, about acting more like a bike or car on the road. If a person ran into another person in the crosswalk it would probably hurt. A bruise might bloom. But that’s the worst of it. I don’t think the same could be said about electric scooters making contact with pedestrians. 

My rant has come to an end. I sound like a hater, but please know that I will always harbor this dislike. I will also never be caught using one. Not only because I wouldn’t last a full five seconds, but also because they irk me a little. So stay safe, stay courteous, and please, please, please wear a helmet.