Parking at any college is a hassle. While Baylor does have plenty of options all over campus, it always seems like there’s never a spot left.
The last thing anyone needs to see after a long day of classes is a parking ticket strapped underneath the windshield wiper and the “faculty only” sign right above the hood, now that it’s too late.
Some have taken an alternative to the typical mode of transportation. Mopeds, which are essentially lower-power motorcycles, offer trendier ways of jetting across campus without the fuss of a regular-sized vehicle.
For students across the country, that also means savings on gas and hard-earned cash.
However, for Baylor students in particular, it usually means a free parking pass.
Driving mopeds rather than vehicles does have its undeniable economical benefits, but a free pass to park anywhere and anytime without registration should not be one of them.
According to the Baylor Parking and Transportation Services website, the policy for moped parkers requires each student to purchase a sticker, just like those who have vehicles.
However, it appears that while this is the case, this policy is neither followed nor enforced.
While the policy states that each moped and motorcycle driver must obtain a parking permit, it often seems as though only cars and trucks get stuck with tickets by campus parking enforcers.
Countless unregistered mopeds are seen daily on campus in designated student lots, while cars are still the ones with citations just for parking in the wrong spot, registration and all.
For regular-size cars, a parking permit sets students back about $300 for the year.
However, for mopeds, the cost is only $50, another obvious benefit to going the two-wheeler route. That $250 difference doesn’t seem reasonable or fair considering the other “benefits” moped drivers are undeniably shown.
At Baylor, students are required to park in areas allotted specifically to them, including 12 lots and five garages around campus.
In addition to this rule, moped and motorcycle drivers can also leave their transportation near bike racks and at a designated barricaded area on Fifth Street and Speight Avenue.
Basically, that also means mopeds have a much higher chance of finding a spot, and apparently, a significantly less chance of being ticketed by the parking police.
As long as they’re allowed to park anywhere a car can, mopeds should still be treated as if they were regular vehicles.
If the campus parking service is going to issue their tickets to rule violators, they may as well dish them out to everybody, not just the gas-guzzlers.
Moped drivers pay the same amount to attend this school as any other student with a car, and as such, they should also pay the same price of their parking mistakes.
