Why You Need a Set of Wheels on Campus
By Roxette Primero
You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve woken up just minutes before my 8:00 a.m. class. After rushing through the essentials and stepping out of my dorm, that familiar sinking feeling hits me: I’m a good 15-minute walk from class. If I try to avoid showing up sweaty, it’s more like 20 minutes. Inevitably, I find myself walking in 10 minutes late, awkwardly squeezing into the only available seat right in the middle of the room, having all these eyes staring at my sweaty self.
Now, many might think this problem is entirely on me and to be fair, they’re not wrong. Sure, I could wake up an hour earlier, but after a long night of homework or cramming for midterms, sleep usually wins the battle and overpowers me against my 20 alarms. Despite living relatively close to campus for the past four years, it can still take me 15 to 20 minutes to get to class. And I can’t even imagine how much longer it takes for students living farther away.
A lot of my problems when it comes to arriving at places on time and avoiding arriving all sweaty disappeared once I got a set of wheels and no, not a car, but a scooter and a bike. In the next sections, I'll break down the benefits of having your wheels and help you figure out which option might be right for you.
Benefits of having a set of wheels on campus:
Getting to places in time
This one’s pretty obvious, if you want to get anywhere faster, you need wheels. Imagine living 15-20 minutes off campus, and your class is on the opposite side. Total inconvenience, right? Having a bike, scooter, or skateboard cuts down that commute time drastically.
Personally, as someone involved in multiple clubs, my bike has been a lifesaver. I can zoom from class to my club meetings in under three minutes, no sweat. It’s been especially helpful when I have back-to-back commitments across campus.
Having more time to do stuff
The walk to campus can take up a significant chunk of your day. You have to plan the walk. The walk to campus has a spot on your Google calendar because why does it take 20-30 minutes if not longer to get yourself fully situated in your seat at your destination place?
With a set of wheels, that travel time is drastically reduced, giving you more freedom to do the things you enjoy. Since getting my scooter, I’ve found myself with extra time to prepare a quick meal before class or squeeze in another 20 minutes of studying right before a midterm. Honestly, it’s a little embarrassing to admit, but there have been moments when I realized I had forgotten something and was able to quickly zoom back to my dorm and return with just three minutes to spare before class started!
2. USC Bike-Friendly Infrastructure
USC provides bike lanes, racks, and storage facilities, making it convenient for students to store their bikes when attending classes, events, or studying on campus. I loved being able to park in the Village, where designated bike rooms allowed me to bring my bike right into the building, providing peace of mind knowing my bike was secure and easily accessible whenever I needed it.
3. Exploring outside of USC
After getting a bike, I discovered a whole new world beyond USC’s campus. I felt like it was a lot easier to explore new coffee shops, ride to the beach along the boardwalk, and discover charming local shops and bakeries. As someone from out of state, biking allowed me to connect more deeply with South Central and truly appreciate the vibrant community surrounding the university.
4. Exercise!
Walking is good for getting the heart rate up, but so is skateboarding and riding a bike! Finding a way to stay active while in college is important as we tend to get too busy and it gets harder to commit to a consistent workout schedule. Biking or skateboarding every day to solve that issue.
5. Sustainability
Having a bike and or skateboard is super sustainable. You are helping the planet the best way that you can.
6. Night rides
After a stressful week of midterms or just a tough time in general, I found so much joy in biking around campus late at night. While it may not be the safest option, slipping on my headphones and immersing myself in music is my sweet escape. The wind rushing against my face feels almost cinematic like I’m starring in my coming-of-age movie.
Mode of transportation Ranking
Hopefully, this has convinced you to consider investing in a convenient mode of transportation. Now comes the big question: what should you choose? Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to try out the three most popular options. I’ll rank them from best to good, highlighting their advantages and any drawbacks along the way.
1. Electric Scooter
If you’re looking for speed and the ability to effortlessly weave through crowds, an electric scooter is your best bet. When I ride mine, I can get from USC Target Village to Fertitta Hall in five minutes or less. The compact size of the scooter makes navigating through huge crowds so easy. However, as a pedestrian, it can be intimidating to see scooters zooming past, leaving you to wonder if they’ll come too close for comfort. Thankfully, most scooter riders tend to be aware of how close they are to someone.
That said, there are a few inconveniences to consider. I’ve heard numerous stories of electric scooters malfunctioning after a while, so it’s wise to be cautious about reliability. Another issue I’ve faced is forgetting to charge it—there's nothing worse than needing to head out and finding your scooter won’t make the trip due to low battery. This might be more of a me problem, but something to keep in mind.
Charging can also be a challenge. Often, there aren’t convenient spots to charge your scooter outside your dorm, and a lot of the time they are not allowed inside the USC buildings. Which means you’ll need to park it inside. This can become inconvenient for roommates, especially in smaller living spaces.
Scooters should not be taken out during rainy weather!
Also, this is a funny downside, but we must be prepared for everything. When I attempted to buy a matcha drink, I struggled to balance it while riding my scooter. You really need both hands on the handlebars.
2. Bike
I currently own a bike, and it’s truly the best decision I’ve made! Unlike my scooter, it doesn’t run out of battery, and it’s pretty fast, too. Plus, it’s adorable, and I love receiving compliments on it.
However, there are a few challenges when it comes to biking. For one, the bike can feel bulky, requiring more control, especially in crowded areas. Many pedestrians don’t pay attention to bike lanes, making it difficult to weave through crowds.
Finding parking for my bike is generally straightforward, but finding safe parking is a different story. I’ve heard too many horror stories about stolen bikes around campus. Many bike racks at USC only allow you to lock the wheel, which leaves the frame vulnerable. This risk applies to scooters and skateboards as well. To minimize the chances of theft, I recommend opting for a less flashy bike and investing in two U-locks for added security. Whenever possible, try to park your bike inside your dorm or apartment for peace of mind.
Finally, one of the worst experiences as a cyclist is dealing with a flat tire or a popped wire while on your way somewhere. Having to walk your bike back home is a literal walk of shame. Thankfully, getting repairs is relatively easy. I first took mine to Sole Bicycle for just $25 and for a cheaper alternative, I bought a $10 repair kit on Amazon and asked my friend to help me fix it.
3. Skateboard
I rank skateboards at the bottom of my list mainly because I’ve seen too many people crash hard or take a tumble. However, that’s part of the charm of skateboarding, when you fall, people tend to brush it off since it’s fairly common.
What I love about skateboards is their compact size. They can get you from point A to point B faster than walking. You can easily take them anywhere, and they don’t take up much space. Some classes, like those in Fertitta Hall, even have dedicated skateboard racks, which is incredibly convenient. If there isn’t a rack available, you can usually just lean it against the entrance of the classroom, unless you have more than five skateboards in one class, in which case it can get a bit crowded.
Plus, riding a skateboard has a cool factor, which is always a bonus. However, as someone who isn’t the most skilled skateboarder, I’ve found it challenging to navigate bumpy streets. Additionally, I find it inconvenient to carry the skateboard when I’m not riding it.
Where to buy?
I suggest looking on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace for some potential cheap deals. Asking on Slack if anyone has a bike or scooter they are willing to sell to you is also good since many graduating seniors are probably looking to donate to get rid of their items. Sole Bicycle also sells some great options.
Conclusion
Investing in a set of wheels whether it’s a bike, or really anything with wheels, can significantly enhance your campus experience. Each option has its perks! While there are some challenges, like maintenance or navigating crowds, the time saved and added freedom makes it well worth the investment. Choose the option that best suits your lifestyle and needs!
