Walking through the University of Central Florida’s main campus has become a complete disaster. Mobs of people are squished elbow to elbow, gasping for air and worrying about being late for their upcoming class. Then you hear wheels turning and the sound is getting closer and closer. The sidewalk soon splits and someone on a bike or skateboard roars through. Every time this happens I become furious and wish they would not ride where people are walking. Many people feel the same way, like freshman Samantha Salerno, who said, “I get mad and irritated because I always have to be watching out for people riding.” With over fifty three thousand students attending UCF and its satellite campuses, according to the University of Central Florida website, many people like me and Salerno are constantly on the lookout for rolling objects. In fact, when I go to class I have always been able to count at least ten people on bikes and skateboards. This has been the case from day one of the 2009 fall semester. According to Vanessa Fernandez of the Central Florida Future, however, skateboarding has been an issue at UCF ever since 2005. Skaters claim that riding on campus is twice as fast as walking, but with quickness there are many drawbacks as well. The University of Central Florida needs to ban, or at least alter, the skateboarding, longboarding, biking, scootering and other riding polices on campus. Such measures will increase campus safety, lower the stress of walking pedestrians, and even help students better socialize with one another.
Safety is the most important reason UCF needs to crack down on non-walking personal transportation methods. Christine Harper of the Central Florida Future reported that skateboards alone cause about twenty-six thousand people to visit the emergency room per year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. These trips to the hospital include broken bones, concussions and open wounds in need of sewing up. This statistic does not, however, show how many people are injured and fail to go to the emergency room. Many students and skaters get bumps, bruises, and abrasions each and every day. I, for one, am a perfect example. I have been involved in three transportation related accidents. The first incident was when a skateboarder ran over the end of my foot. I escaped with a black scuff mark on my new Nike shoe, but the skater wasn’t as fortunate— he fell off his board and scraped up his right arm. The next accident I was involved in was when a bicyclist swerved into my back. Fortunately my backpack was crammed with calculus books so all I experienced was whiplash, but the crash was uncalled for and angered me. The last incident involved a longboarder and the back of my ankle. A shaggy-haired kid was riding and texting on his phone when he rudely hit the back of my leg. Pain shot through my body and I looked down to see a bleeding left leg. I had a deep cut on my ankle but did not need stitches. Aside from my personal experiences, I have also seen countless others involved in collisions. A more serious wreck involved a longboarder trying to dodge someone on the sidewalk next to the Nicholson School of Communications building. The longboarder tried to ramp off of the sidewalk to the street but he lost his balance and fell into the middle of the road. Luckily no cars were coming, but the student still broke his wrist as he tried to catch himself from the road. Many dangerous accidents like this have taken place thus far and they will only continue until new policies are implemented on University of Central Florida’s main campus.
While just about all walkers on the Central Florida campus think things need to change with people and their personal rides, most riders feel things are fine the way it is. Freshman skate and longboarder Steve Schimcat says he boards to class because it is quick and he enjoys the adrenaline rush. “I have been skateboarding all my life, and I am so glad I get to ride on campus.” Schimcat also says that riding allows him to free his mind and enjoy himself without leaving campus. When asked about the safety hazards bikers and skaters pose to themselves and others Steve said, “I ride with caution and try to notify people where I’m going in order to prevent accidents.” He also said he reduces his speed around crowds of people and he never rides while using electronic devices. Steve may say he does not use his cell phone or listen to his iPod while riding, but others are not as courteous or cautious. Accidents are common without distractions, but these electric toys make them even more evident. Electronic devices take away one or more of your senses and a lot of your attention. MP3 players take away one’s ability to hear. Student riders need to be able to hear cars coming, people walking and talking, and other individuals riding their vehicles. Vision is also reduced when using phones and music devices because skaters are peering into their hands and not scanning the road for people and obstacles up ahead.
Although people who ride bikes, boards, and scooters do not think restrictions should be created, something or some things do need to be changed. If nothing changes injuries will continue to occur and pedestrians will only get more aggravated. The best solution I have for the riding issue is to partially ban personal methods of transportation. I believe riding should be permitted on and outside of Gemini Boulevard only. Gemini circles the middle and most frequented part of campus. This area includes the academic buildings, student union and many dorm facilities. Skaters, bikers and scooterists should not have a problem walking within the limits of Gemini. Buildings are packed close together and riding is difficult there anyway. If students do have a problem it is because of pure laziness. I live just inside Gemini in the Lake Claire Apartments and it takes me, at most, fifteen minutes to get to all of my classes and other destinations located within Gemini’s boundaries. Fifteen minutes of walking is not too much to ask, especially if it helps the well-being of student and school staff safety.
All in all, the University of Central Florida definitely has a problem with the amount of bikes, scooters, skateboards, and longboards students ride on campus. If UCF were to use my idea—only allowing riding on and outside of Gemini Boulevard— many things would change for the better. Just imagine walkers being able to walk in peace. No tensing up every time wheels turn around them. Sidewalks will not be used as highways, just as walkways. I can see myself now: smiling on my way to class, not pent up with tension ready to yell at the next discourteous rider. Students will be able to walk side by side and hold steady conversations without having someone whiz in-between them. Bloody arms, knees and sidewalks will be a moment of the past. The University of Central Florida will be beautiful once and for all.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Commentary: Rough Draft
Walking through the University of Central Florida’s main campus has become a complete disaster. Over fifty three thousand students attend UCF and its satellite campuses, according to the University of Central Florida website, and it seems like everyone is out and about in the middle of the day. Mobs of people are squished elbow to elbow, gasping for air and worrying about being late for their upcoming class. Then you hear wheels turning and the sound is getting closer and closer. The sidewalk soon splits and someone on a bike or skateboard roars through. Every time this happens I become furious and wish they would not ride where people are walking. Many people feel the same way, like freshman, Samantha Salerno, who said, “I get mad and irritated because I always have to be watching out for people riding.” The “people” Salerno refers to is not a small amount either. In fact, when I go to class I have always been able to count at least ten people on bikes and skateboards. This has been the case from day one of the 2009 fall semester. But, skateboarding has been an issue at UCF ever since 2005 according to Vanessa Fernandez of the Central Florida Future. Skaters claim that riding on campus is twice as fast as walking, but there are many drawbacks with them as well. The University of Central Florida needs to fix the skateboarding, long boarding, biking, scootering, and other riding problems on campus because it will increase the safety, lower the stress of walking pedestrians, and even help students socialize with one another.
Safety is the most important reason UCF needs to crack down on non walking personal transportation methods. Christine Harper from the Central Florida Future reported that skateboards alone cause about twenty-six thousand people to visit the emergency room per year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. These trips to the hospital include broken bones, concussions and open wounds in need of sewing up. This statistic does not, however, show how many people are injured and do not go to the emergency room. Many students and skaters get bumps, bruises, and abrasions each and every day. I, for one, am a perfect example. I have been involved in three transportation related accidents. The first incident was when a skateboarder ran over the end of my new white Nike shoe. Not such a big deal for me, but he fell off his board and scraped up his right arm. The next accident I was involved in was when a bicyclist swerved into my back. Luckily my backpack was packed with calculus books so all I experienced was whiplash, but it still angered me. The last crash involved a long boarder and the back of my ankle. A shaggy-haired kid was riding and texting on his phone when he rudely hit the back of my leg. Pain shot through my body and I looked down to see a bleeding left leg. I had a deep cut on my ankle, but did not need stitches. I have also seen countless others involved in collisions. A more serious wreck involved a long-boarder trying to dodge someone on the sidewalk next to the communications building. The long boarder tried to ramp off of the sidewalk to the street, but he lost his balance and feel into the middle of the road. Luckily no cars were coming, but the student still broke his wrist as he tried to catch himself from the road. Many dangerous accidents like this have taken place thus far and they will only continue until things change on the University of Central Florida Campus.
While just about all walkers on the Central Florida campus think things need to change with people and their personal rides, most riders feel things are fine the way it is. Freshman skate and long boarder Steve Schimcat says he boards to class because it is quicker and it is what he loves to do. “I have been skateboarding all my life, and I am so glad I get to ride on campus.” Schimcat also says riding allows him to free his mind and enjoy himself without leaving campus. When asked about the safety hazard bikers and skaters cause themselves and others Steve said, “I ride with caution and try to notify people where I’m going to prevent accidents.” He also said he reduces his speed around crowds of people, and he never rides while using electronic devices. Steve may say he does not use his cell phone or listen to his IPod while riding, but others do. Accidents are common without distractions, but with these electric toys, they are even more evident. Electronic devices take away one or more of your senses and a lot of your attention. MP3 players take away people’s ability to hear. Student riders need to be able to hear cars coming, people walking and talking, and other individuals riding their vehicles.
Although people who ride bikes, skateboards, long boards, and scooters do not think anything should be done, something or things do need to be changed. If nothing changes injuries will continue to occur and pedestrians will only get more aggravated. The best solution I have for the riding issue is to partially ban it. I think riding should be permitted on and outside of Gemini Boulevard only. Gemini circles the middle and most used part of campus. Inside the circle includes the academic buildings, student union, and many dorm facilities. Skaters, bikers, and scooterers should not have a problem walking within Gemini. Buildings are packed close together, and riding is difficult there anyway. If students do have a problem it is because of pure laziness. I live just inside Gemini in the Lake Claire Apartments and it takes me, at most, fifteen minutes to get to all of my classes and other destinations in the middle of campus. Fifteen minutes is not too much to ask, especially if it helps the well being of students safety.
All in all, the University of Central Florida definitely has a problem with the amount of bikes, scooters, skateboards, and long boards students ride on campus. If UCF were to use my idea and only allow riding on and outside of Gemini road many things would change for the better. Just imagine walkers being able to walk in peace. No tensing up every time wheels turn around them. Sidewalks will not be used as highways, just as walkways. I can see myself now, smiling on my way to class, not fierce as I wait to yell at the next rude rider. Students will be able to walk side by side and hold steady conversations without having someone wiz through them. Bloody arms, knees, and sidewalks will be a thing in the past. UCF will be beautiful once and for all.
Safety is the most important reason UCF needs to crack down on non walking personal transportation methods. Christine Harper from the Central Florida Future reported that skateboards alone cause about twenty-six thousand people to visit the emergency room per year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. These trips to the hospital include broken bones, concussions and open wounds in need of sewing up. This statistic does not, however, show how many people are injured and do not go to the emergency room. Many students and skaters get bumps, bruises, and abrasions each and every day. I, for one, am a perfect example. I have been involved in three transportation related accidents. The first incident was when a skateboarder ran over the end of my new white Nike shoe. Not such a big deal for me, but he fell off his board and scraped up his right arm. The next accident I was involved in was when a bicyclist swerved into my back. Luckily my backpack was packed with calculus books so all I experienced was whiplash, but it still angered me. The last crash involved a long boarder and the back of my ankle. A shaggy-haired kid was riding and texting on his phone when he rudely hit the back of my leg. Pain shot through my body and I looked down to see a bleeding left leg. I had a deep cut on my ankle, but did not need stitches. I have also seen countless others involved in collisions. A more serious wreck involved a long-boarder trying to dodge someone on the sidewalk next to the communications building. The long boarder tried to ramp off of the sidewalk to the street, but he lost his balance and feel into the middle of the road. Luckily no cars were coming, but the student still broke his wrist as he tried to catch himself from the road. Many dangerous accidents like this have taken place thus far and they will only continue until things change on the University of Central Florida Campus.
While just about all walkers on the Central Florida campus think things need to change with people and their personal rides, most riders feel things are fine the way it is. Freshman skate and long boarder Steve Schimcat says he boards to class because it is quicker and it is what he loves to do. “I have been skateboarding all my life, and I am so glad I get to ride on campus.” Schimcat also says riding allows him to free his mind and enjoy himself without leaving campus. When asked about the safety hazard bikers and skaters cause themselves and others Steve said, “I ride with caution and try to notify people where I’m going to prevent accidents.” He also said he reduces his speed around crowds of people, and he never rides while using electronic devices. Steve may say he does not use his cell phone or listen to his IPod while riding, but others do. Accidents are common without distractions, but with these electric toys, they are even more evident. Electronic devices take away one or more of your senses and a lot of your attention. MP3 players take away people’s ability to hear. Student riders need to be able to hear cars coming, people walking and talking, and other individuals riding their vehicles.
Although people who ride bikes, skateboards, long boards, and scooters do not think anything should be done, something or things do need to be changed. If nothing changes injuries will continue to occur and pedestrians will only get more aggravated. The best solution I have for the riding issue is to partially ban it. I think riding should be permitted on and outside of Gemini Boulevard only. Gemini circles the middle and most used part of campus. Inside the circle includes the academic buildings, student union, and many dorm facilities. Skaters, bikers, and scooterers should not have a problem walking within Gemini. Buildings are packed close together, and riding is difficult there anyway. If students do have a problem it is because of pure laziness. I live just inside Gemini in the Lake Claire Apartments and it takes me, at most, fifteen minutes to get to all of my classes and other destinations in the middle of campus. Fifteen minutes is not too much to ask, especially if it helps the well being of students safety.
All in all, the University of Central Florida definitely has a problem with the amount of bikes, scooters, skateboards, and long boards students ride on campus. If UCF were to use my idea and only allow riding on and outside of Gemini road many things would change for the better. Just imagine walkers being able to walk in peace. No tensing up every time wheels turn around them. Sidewalks will not be used as highways, just as walkways. I can see myself now, smiling on my way to class, not fierce as I wait to yell at the next rude rider. Students will be able to walk side by side and hold steady conversations without having someone wiz through them. Bloody arms, knees, and sidewalks will be a thing in the past. UCF will be beautiful once and for all.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Commentary Thesis Paragraph
Walking through the University of Central Florida’s main campus has become a complete disaster. Over fifty thousand people attend UCF and it seems like everyone is out and about in the middle of the day. Mobs of people are squished elbow to elbow, gasping for air and worrying about being late for their upcoming class. Then you hear wheels turning and the sound is getting closer and closer. The sidewalk soon splits and someone on a bike or skateboard roars through. Every time this happens I become furious and wish they would not ride where people are walking. Many people feel the same way, like freshman, Sam, who said, “I get mad and irritated because I always have to be watching out for people riding.” The “people” Sam refers to is not a small amount either. In fact, when I go to class I have always been able to count at least ten people on bikes and skateboards. This has been the case from day one of the 2009 fall semester. But, skateboarding has been an issue at UCF ever since 2005 according to Vanessa Fernandez of the Central Florida Future. Skaters claim that riding on campus is twice as fast as walking, but there are many drawbacks with them as well. The University of Central Florida needs to fix the skateboarding, long boarding, biking, scootering, and other riding problems on campus because it will increase the safety, lower the stress of people, and even help students socialize with one another.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Commentary Outline
I. Introduction
- Explain the trend that I have noticed here at UCF (Personal Transportation Problem).
- Tell how long it has been a problem.
- Bring in some of my interview questions to see what other students at UCF think about the bike, skateboard, and scooter problem.
- Thesis Statement:
a. The University of Central Florida needs to fix the skateboarding, long boarding, biking, scootering, and other riding problems on campus because it will increase the safety, lower the stress of people, and even help the laziness problem with students in college.
II. Body Paragraph (Injuries)
- Explain the accidents I have witnessed and encoutered myself.
- Explain the accidents the person I interviewed has encountered or seen.
- Find out if UCF has had any reported large injuries, like if the paramedics were involved.
III. Body Paragraph (Skaters or bikers viewpoints)
- Bring in an interview of a skateboarder (my roomate)
- Find out why people ride on campus instead of walk.
IV. Body Paragraph (Possible solutions/my opinion)
- UCF may need to ban the use of skateboards, bikes, and scooters on campus.
- Explain that I think people ride because of pure laziness.
- Include imagery of what the capus would be like without people riding through it.
V. Conclusion
- Reintroduce thesis.
- Final opinion about the trend or issue.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Commentary Letter
To Matt,
I am writing to you about an issue I am encountering at the University of Central Florida. My campus is very large, but the buildings are fairly close to one another so I walk to and from class. It seems, however, that I am just about the only one who walks while many others ride skateboards, bikes, and scooters. Well many others do walk, being that there is over fifty-two thousand students here at UCF, but quite a bit of people ride their personal transportation vehicles on and through campus. Because there are so many people on our Orlando campus crowds of people fill the sidewalks, walkways, streets, parking lots, and definitely the center of the university. It feels like I am always bumping into someone else, breathing in their air, and it even feels like I am not moving after a while. But, with the people that ride their bikes, skateboards, long boards, and scooters, things get even worse. Students who ride their two to four wheeled personal vehicles try to squeeze their way through the mobs of people at high speeds. This gets me incredibly angry. The skaters and bikers think, for some strange reason, that they have the right of way over walkers. They roll straight at you and expect you to move out of their way so they can continue on their nice ride. This is not fair to the walkers because we have to go out of our way to try to avoid the maniacs on their toys. Walking on campus should be a relaxing experience, maybe thinking about your previous or upcoming class, enjoying the scenery, talking to your friends, but instead it is a nightmare. I am a nervous wreck while strolling through campus. My head is always on a swivel for people on their wheels, ears concentrated on the sounds of skateboards, and my mind thinking of a different route I can take to class. Sometimes I just walk through the grass because I know only bikers can hit me there. Yes, I said hit me. I have been hit three times this semester, twice by skateboarders and once by a bicyclist. I was injured in one of those, but others are injured daily. Skateboarders have trouble trying to stop quickly, therefore, most of the time they run into someone or something. In one outside hallway UCF has banned the use of skateboards, bikes, and scooters and quite frankly I enjoy walking through that part of the school the best. Because things are so much better in that part of the school I wonder why the school board has not banned them completely from campus. Like I mentioned earlier, the school is tightly compact so walking from building to building is definitely possible. I personally think people ride their vehicles because of sure laziness. I walk everyday and the furthest class I have takes no longer than fifteen minutes to reach and everyone can walk for fifteen minutes. All in all, I think UCF should ban skateboards, long boards, bikes, scooters, and whatever else students ride because it will increase the safety on campus, lower the stress of people, and even help the obesity problem in college. What do you think Matt? Do you have the same problem at the University of Florida? Let me know.
From, Chris
I am writing to you about an issue I am encountering at the University of Central Florida. My campus is very large, but the buildings are fairly close to one another so I walk to and from class. It seems, however, that I am just about the only one who walks while many others ride skateboards, bikes, and scooters. Well many others do walk, being that there is over fifty-two thousand students here at UCF, but quite a bit of people ride their personal transportation vehicles on and through campus. Because there are so many people on our Orlando campus crowds of people fill the sidewalks, walkways, streets, parking lots, and definitely the center of the university. It feels like I am always bumping into someone else, breathing in their air, and it even feels like I am not moving after a while. But, with the people that ride their bikes, skateboards, long boards, and scooters, things get even worse. Students who ride their two to four wheeled personal vehicles try to squeeze their way through the mobs of people at high speeds. This gets me incredibly angry. The skaters and bikers think, for some strange reason, that they have the right of way over walkers. They roll straight at you and expect you to move out of their way so they can continue on their nice ride. This is not fair to the walkers because we have to go out of our way to try to avoid the maniacs on their toys. Walking on campus should be a relaxing experience, maybe thinking about your previous or upcoming class, enjoying the scenery, talking to your friends, but instead it is a nightmare. I am a nervous wreck while strolling through campus. My head is always on a swivel for people on their wheels, ears concentrated on the sounds of skateboards, and my mind thinking of a different route I can take to class. Sometimes I just walk through the grass because I know only bikers can hit me there. Yes, I said hit me. I have been hit three times this semester, twice by skateboarders and once by a bicyclist. I was injured in one of those, but others are injured daily. Skateboarders have trouble trying to stop quickly, therefore, most of the time they run into someone or something. In one outside hallway UCF has banned the use of skateboards, bikes, and scooters and quite frankly I enjoy walking through that part of the school the best. Because things are so much better in that part of the school I wonder why the school board has not banned them completely from campus. Like I mentioned earlier, the school is tightly compact so walking from building to building is definitely possible. I personally think people ride their vehicles because of sure laziness. I walk everyday and the furthest class I have takes no longer than fifteen minutes to reach and everyone can walk for fifteen minutes. All in all, I think UCF should ban skateboards, long boards, bikes, scooters, and whatever else students ride because it will increase the safety on campus, lower the stress of people, and even help the obesity problem in college. What do you think Matt? Do you have the same problem at the University of Florida? Let me know.
From, Chris
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Commentary Questions
Topic: Personal Transportation on Campus
1. Why do people ride their bikes, skateboards, and scooters on campus?
1. Why do people ride their bikes, skateboards, and scooters on campus?
- It is a faster way to get to class.
2. How long has the personal transportation situation been a problem?
- As long as I have been here at least.
3. What sort of injuries have people gotten as a result of the riders on campus?
- I have never been hit but have had many close calls, but I have seen many other people get ran into.
4. Has there been an attempt to ban bikes, skateboards, and scooters on campus?
- I do not know the answer to that question.
5. Do other walkers (you) have a problem with people riding on campus?
- Yes, I have a problem with the amount of riders on campus, but I do not know if it would be right to ban it.
Interview Questions:
1. How do you know what you know? (evidence)
- I have witnessed people getting hit by bikers and skateboarders.
2. Who are you to the subject? (perspective)
- A student that has to dodge riders when walking through campus.
3. How is this event connected to other events? (patterns or opposing forces)
- It gets me mad and irritated because I always have to be watching out for people riding.
4. What if things were different? (suppositions/predictions)
- Banning people from riding their bikes, skateboards, and scooters would make it easier and more peaceful when walking through campus.
5. Why is this important? (significance)
- Because people are really bothered by riders, and it causes injuries.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Commentary Template
Personal Transportation
Walking through the University of Central Florida’s main campus has become a complete disaster. Over fifty thousand people attend UCF and it seems like everyone is out in the middle of the day. Mobs of people are squished elbow to elbow, gasping for air and worrying about being late for their upcoming class. Then you hear wheels turning and the sound is getting closer and closer. The sidewalk soon splits and someone on a bike or skateboard roars through. Every time this happens I become furious and wonder why people move for them. The answer is because the idiots on their personal transportation vehicles will not stop. I have been hit or clipped three times now by people riding through campus. The first incident was when a skateboarder ran over the end of my new white Nike shoe. The next “accident” I was involved in was when a bicyclist swerved into my back. Luckily my backpack was packed with calculus books so I did not get injured, but it still angered me. The last crash involved a long boarder and the back of my ankle. A shaggy-haired kid was riding and texting on his phone when he rudely hit the back of my leg. Pain shot through my body and I looked down to see a bleeding left leg. Profanity filled the air and all I got was a, “My bad, bro. You straight?” That did it for me. All personal forms of transportation should be banned from the University of Central Florida. Banning skateboards, long boards, bikes, scooters, and whatever else students ride will increase the safety on campus, lower the stress of people, and even help the obesity problem in college.
Walking through the University of Central Florida’s main campus has become a complete disaster. Over fifty thousand people attend UCF and it seems like everyone is out in the middle of the day. Mobs of people are squished elbow to elbow, gasping for air and worrying about being late for their upcoming class. Then you hear wheels turning and the sound is getting closer and closer. The sidewalk soon splits and someone on a bike or skateboard roars through. Every time this happens I become furious and wonder why people move for them. The answer is because the idiots on their personal transportation vehicles will not stop. I have been hit or clipped three times now by people riding through campus. The first incident was when a skateboarder ran over the end of my new white Nike shoe. The next “accident” I was involved in was when a bicyclist swerved into my back. Luckily my backpack was packed with calculus books so I did not get injured, but it still angered me. The last crash involved a long boarder and the back of my ankle. A shaggy-haired kid was riding and texting on his phone when he rudely hit the back of my leg. Pain shot through my body and I looked down to see a bleeding left leg. Profanity filled the air and all I got was a, “My bad, bro. You straight?” That did it for me. All personal forms of transportation should be banned from the University of Central Florida. Banning skateboards, long boards, bikes, scooters, and whatever else students ride will increase the safety on campus, lower the stress of people, and even help the obesity problem in college.
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