The Need For Speed

Tired of walking to class and wondering about the shiny things that speed past cars everyday down 10th Street? Wish your bicycle had a motor? Motorcycles are becoming an extremely popular form of transportation on campus. There's the tough-guy Harley; the street-racer crotch-rocket, which is a type of sports bike; and then the casual-riding Vespa, a type of motor scooter that originated in Italy. All can be seen on campus zipping around while other students walk. \nFreshman Kyle Lewis owns and operates a black 2002 Yamaha-600R. He bought it off an individual for $4200 in mint-condition. He says that it is a comfortable ride and perfect for long trips, while also quick. \n"It has been the perfect beginning bike, but I'm ready to step up to the Yamaha R6 very soon," Lewis says.\nGetting Started\nRiding a motorcycle requires a license, just as a license is required to operate a vehicle. A learner's permit and a helmet are required to ride during the daylight hours with no other passengers. At the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, there is a motorcycle operation and safety manual to read through before taking a written test. To receive a permit, which is good for a year, riders must miss less than five questions. A road test is also a part of obtaining a permit.\n"The road test required me to maneuver around various cone obstacles, make different turns and speed up and stop along certain distances," Lewis explains. \nAlthough a helmet is not required, Lewis says he wears a helmet on long trips or when he knows he's going to be on the interstate or in areas of heavy traffic.\n"I ride my bike as much as possible," Lewis says. "As long as the temperature is above 55 degrees, I ride it everywhere."\nThere will always be tough-guys who will ride their motorcycles in the snow and the 20 degree weather that is prevalent throughout Indiana winters. Because there is a downside to riding in the winter, riders have to stick out the cold weather or find another form of transportation.\nRiding a motorcycle can be dangerous, and many people are steered away by the thought. Sophomore Nick Hoff-Hvale says he prefers foot travel to motorcycles because of his fear of them.\n"First of all, I'm a coward; I've never ridden on one in my life," Hoff-Hvale says. "I prefer to walk. I don't like transportation that involves paying money. That's why I don't have a driver's license." \nParking on Campus\nIU's Parking Operation's manager Doug Porter says motorcyle riders need to have a motorcycle permit and then they can park in a motorcycle space or a car space with the corresponding letter that is on their pass. For example, if an "A" motorcycle permit is purchased, riders can park in any motorcycle space or any "A" permit car space. \n"The motorcycle spaces are in odd spots of the parking lots, usually in the corners perpendicular to the car spaces," Porter says. "This is the perfect spot for them. People would just as soon not park in a car space because their motorcycle might get hit by a car, they would prefer their own spot." \nThe biggest area where motorcycles can park is the lot across from Ernie Pyle Hall, located at the corner of Seventh Street and Woodlawn Avenue. Motorcycles are also allowed to park in any of the parking garages on campus and more importantly, motorcyclists don't have to pay the hourly fee. \nPorter says the amount of motorcycle permits purchased this year is relatively low. Only around 230 motorcycle permits have been sold so far. \n"Once the weather gets better we'll have more sales," Porter says. \nGenerally speaking, a motorcycle is usually the second form of transportation for many of the students and faculty at IU, so this may be a factor in the slipping of sales, he adds.\n"It's a great way to get around," Porter says. "It's a lot easier and quicker than a bike or walking. Unofficially, people go places that they shouldn't on a motorcycle, such as take shortcuts on the sidewalks of campus or cut through the grass to avoid traffic. We don't like them to park or drive on the sidewalks."\nSometimes, Porter will get complaints from people who call Parking Operations to tell them that they've had problems with motorcyclists who are out of control. \n"Personally, I don't trust a lot of the drivers in town, they are crazy and careless, but they've been pretty good so far," Porter says.\nThe motorcycle business is fairly strong in Bloomington, but not from students says Boyd Fox, owner of Fox's Cycle Sales, located at 332 W. 3rd St. \nBut the cold Indiana winters don't seem to hurt the motorcycle businesses either. \n"Our business runs strong all year long," Fox says.\nSome other places that sell motorcycles and scooters in Bloomington are Harley Davidson of Bloomington, located at 522 W. Gourley Pike and Bloomington Power Sports, which is located at 1006 S. Walnut St.\nSo looking for a quick, convenient way around campus? Try checking out a Harley, a Vespa or a crotch-rocket, whichever suits your style. Motorcyclists save money on gas, and get around more quickly than riding a bike or walking. Also, parking spots are a lot closer to campus for motorcycles than for cars, especially since motorcyclists can park in the specially designated motorcycle spots and any corresponding car spot all across campus.