Collegiate Times

With the unknown pattern in gas prices, many students at Virginia Tech are trying to figure out the most efficient method of transportation.

Although the Blacksburg Transit is an obvious mode of transportation, many students enjoy the benefits of having their car on campus.

?I drive my car to campus for convenience, because if you miss the bus you're late no matter what, even if you want to wait for the next bus,? said Kenny Aiello, senior finance major. ?But with a car you can always leave closer to class time and still make it, and above all for certain classes, the bus is way too crowded and it?s not comfortable to ride.?

But since the beginning of the semester, a new trend in transportation has developed. There has been a noticeable difference in the amount of motorcycle drivers compared to last year.

?I chose to purchase a moped due mainly by the fact that I spent so much money on gas last year and with the gas prices being the way they are this year, I am glad I did,? said Leah Yetsin, junior industrial systems engineering major. ?I also decided on the purchase due to the convenience of never having to struggle for a parking spot.?

Penny Mills, assistant parking manager, said that Parking Services doesn?t have a quarry right now that tells the number of permits that are issued to motorcycle drivers.

?Motorcycles are a more efficient mode of transportation, and spaces are made available in front of parking lots in order to encourage individuals to ride their motorcycles,? Mills said. ?Also, motorcycles take less space to park.?

Lt. Wendell Flinchum of the Virginia Tech police, said that there doesn?t seem to be any type of increase in traffic incidents on or around campus involving motorcycles.

?There seems to be careful motorcycle drivers around here,? Flinchum said.

A motorcycle owner himself, Flinchum said he too made the purchase, because the gas mileage is better and they are enjoyable to drive.

Mills said that motorcycle drivers are expected to follow the same rules as other operators of motor vehicles.

?Motorcycles are allowed to park in full-size parking spaces,? Mills said.Some students feel that the allowance of motorcycles to park in regular parking spaces is unfair to other students.

?There is only a limited amount of parking spaces on campus as it is, so if you choose to have a motorcycle up here, then you should be forced to park in a predetermined motorcycle spot,? said Ben Steenrod, junior finance and management major.