By
Aaron Cowman
Arizona Daily Wildcat
New toy finds a home on campus
Walking may be the most common method of getting around campus, but many UA students have found a trendy, alternative way to circumvent the congested bicyclist/pedestrian intersections.
Two-wheeled, compact scooters are shaping up to be the latest form of transportation and entertainment for people traversing the school grounds.
Michael Schwartzbach, a media arts sophomore, traded in his skateboard for a Razor brand scooter after seeing them in Los Angeles this summer.
"It's easy to get around on them," he said. "It also gets a lot of chicks."
The scooter is also appealing because it is economic and portable, Schwartzbach said.
"They're cheap," he said. "(And) you can bring it into class without it getting stolen."
Ranging in cost from $60-$100, the scooters - made by such manufacturers as Razor, Titan, California Cruiser and Aero Micro Scooter - come in a variety of colors, and new versions are being created with electric or gas-powered motors to help boost them along.
The basic design of the scooter incorporates two oversized in-line skate wheels with a scaled-down, handlebar-equipped skateboard. They fold down in a matter of seconds, allowing the rider to walk if necessary.
Replacement wheels are available in order to alter the color or the design, including ones with tread for rougher terrain. Most models also offer some sort of friction-plate braking device over the rear wheel.
All of the scooters fold down to a compact size for easy carrying, but the newest models feature shoulder straps, grinding rails and front-wheel suspension for navigating large cracks and potholes, adding to their convenience.
In addition to being spotted on campus, this new fad toy is appearing across the nation. The boardwalks in California are teeming with scooters, and even the business men in Washington DC use them between the subway and work.
Not everyone is a fan of the gadget, however. Scott Weller, a business freshman, sees the scooters as a burden more than a convenience.
"I don't want to carry anything into class that I don't have to," he said.
Most riders appear slightly childish while cruising on the miniature board and wheels, Weller added.
"(The scooters) are cool, but the people riding on them sometimes look like fools," he said.
These new modes of transportation may never completely overtake the bicycle, but the bike racks around campus may seem a little less full as more people jump onto the new craze.
