Being a student at UCF and walking around campus, there is one thing in particular that frustrates and concerns me. This frustration involves people using other modes of transportation other than their feet to make their way through and around campus. Not only is this dangerous to themselves, but it is dangerous to the other students as well as pedestrians around them. My first few weeks being at UCF it didn’t aggravate me, but the longer I have been attending school and the more incidents I have had, the more it begins to frustrate me on a daily basis. From my standpoint, every student needs to get from class to class; why don’t we take proper precaution in being safe and use our feet in the way they were intended to be used. Unless we as a University choose to do something about it, I believe that this situation is only going to get worse as UCF becomes more crowded. This inclination not only puts innocent pedestrians at risk, but shows the evolving fast – paced lifestyles of the American culture. The first mode of transportation that frustrates me on campus is the bicycle. While the rest of the students are walking casually at 5 to 6 miles per hour {around 10 if we’re late}, the students riding bikes can easily hit 20 miles per hour. Besides the fact that they’re whizzing by students and pedestrians at an alarming speed, they are also causing even more congestion then we already have on campus. As bicycles may be a very enjoyable, healthy and fun activity or exercise to do, I don’t believe that there is a large amount of room for them on campus. For example, last week while I was walking to class along the breeze way, I was almost crushed by a two companion bicyclist speeding down the walkway. I was fortunate to be paying close attention and quickly move out the way. For the students who are listening to their iPods while walking around campus, this can make them more prone to getting into an accident. Students using bicycles can be hazardous even though it is probably one of the most maneuverable modes of transportation there is. Following the bike in a very close second, are the students who use skateboards or long boards around UCF. Even though they do not take up as much room as a bicycle, they can hit very high speeds and can easily injure an innocent student if they lose their balance. Without stereotyping, it seems that the “free spirits” with the care – free mind-set are the ones riding these contraptions. With this attitude and blatant disrespect for the students and pedestrians walking around campus, there are numerous incidents just waiting to happen. Unlike the bicycle, which can easily be locked to a tree or bike rack; skateboards are forced to be carried around campus blocking the already congested classrooms and hallways. Another fad about the skateboard is the fact that most of the riders are inexperienced and can easily hurt themselves as well as others. Considering the danger of this transportation to a pedestrian or student around an experienced rider, the numbers must increase drastically around an inexperienced one. The campus is already extremely over crowded as it is, but with the skateboards and even longer, less maneuverable long boards, it is only increasing congestion and putting everyone in danger. As a student I have had to walk in a 500 person classroom trying to climb over peoples laps with skateboards / long boards in front of them, which it is neither easy nor pleasant to do. The most understandable and less dangerous mode of transportation is rollerblades. Even though you can hit an extremely high rate of speed, they seem to be the most maneuverable. Due to the fact that they could be a lot more of a burden to take off and on, I can see why they are less likely to be used; which could be why I find them less of a nuisance. However, it is still dangerous to travel using this mode of transportation. An explanation to why it could be even more endangering to themselves and others students is because of the freedom they might feel on while on them. Instead of lugging around a 40 pound bicycle or a clumsy skateboard; rollerbladers are traveling using the relative same motion as a person walking. Students given this freedom of using rollerblades might be more opportune to take more risks such as flying by students and pedestrians or head into close knit quarters. The more I reflect about it this matter the more I think that having a more agile way of transportation could in the wrong hands, be more hazardous or harmful to the pedestrians surrounding the UCF campus. Comparable to the people on long boards, the people that I do see traveling around on campus wearing roller blades also seem to be for the most part inexperienced. Traveling at such a high rate of speed like they are; you would assume that the students using rollerblades would be more comfortable and cautious of knowing how to stop but that is not the case. According to what I’ve seen as a student at UCF, traveling along campus on something other than your feet is ludicrous. Putting the students at risk traveling through crowded walkways and sidewalks at a high rate speed is unnecessary assuming we are young healthy adults and capable of using our feet for transportation. Having seen some careless people around campus I would strongly suggest some regulations, as far as transportation is concerned. As an everyday spectator and student at UCF I’ve preached my opinion on the risks of how these modes of transportation could affect our peers, and that these students need to realize what issues they could face if anything were to happen. Not just pertaining to a self afflicted injury, but the possibility of anything from a lawsuit or death could occur. I strongly believe that as students, if we gave ourselves a little more time to get where we need to be, and proceed in an organized manner; then our campus at UCF can be and will be much safer as well as less congested.
Nicholas Byers
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Commentary Assignment
Walking around campus, there is one thing in particular that frustrates as well as concern me. This frustration involves people using other things other than their feet to make their way through campus. Other then this being dangerous to themselves, it is dangerous to people around them. My first few weeks here it began to irritate me, but the longer I attend and the more incidents I have, the more it begins to frustrate me. From my perspective, we all need to go places, so why don’t we just be safe and use our feet in the way god attended us to use them. Unless we choose to do something about it, I believe that the situation is only going to get worse as well as the campus becoming more crowded. This trend not only puts innocent pedestrians at risk, but shows the evolving fast – paced lifestyles of the American culture.
The number one mode of transportation that frustrates me on campus is the bicycle. While the rest of us our walking casually at 5 to 6 miles per hour {around 10 if were late}, people riding bike can easily hit 20 miles per hour. Besides the fact that there whizzing by us at an alarming speed, they are also causing even more congestion then we already have on campus. Bicycles are a very enjoyable, healthy, fun – loving activity, but I don’t believe that there is much room for them on campus. Last week while walking to class along the breeze way, I was almost trampled by a two companion bicyclists speeding down the walkway. I was fortunate to being paying attention and quickly move out the way, but people are usually listening to their music which makes them more prone to not paying attention. It is still very dangerous and it is probably one of the most maneuverable modes of transportation there is.
Following the bike, in a very close second, has to be the skateboard / long boards. Even though they do not take up as much room as the bicycle they can hit very high speeds and can easily break an ankle. Without stereotyping, it seems that the “free spirits” with the care – free attitude are the ones riding these contraptions. With this attitude as well as blatant disrespect for their peers, there are numerous incidents just waiting to happen at an alarming rate. Unlike the Bicycle, which can easily be locked to a tree or bike rack; skateboards are forced to be carried around campus clogging the already congested classrooms and hallways. Another thing about the skateboard is the fact that most of the riders are inexperienced as well as just plain awful. Considering the danger of this transportation to a pedestrian around an experienced rider, the numbers must increase drastically around an inexperienced one. The campus is already extremely over crowded as it is, but with the skateboards and even longer, less maneuverable long boards, it is only increasing congestion and putting everyone else in danger. I don’t know if you have every walked in a 500 person class trying to climb over peoples laps with skate / long boards in front of them, but it is not easy, nor pleasant.
The last but probably most understandable and less dangerous mode of transportation is the rollerblades. Even though you can hit an extremely high rate of speed, they seem to be the most maneuverable even though I might be confused. Since my time at the University of Central Florida I have never really had any situations with them; so I might be bias. Looking at them from an outside perspective though I could see how they could also be dangerous. I have personally never ridden on rollerblades but they seem relatively maneuverable. Due to the fact that they could be a lot more of a burden to take off and on I can see why they are less likely to be used; which could be why I find them less of a burden. Nonetheless, it is still dangerous to travel by this transportation. A reason why it could be even more endangering to themselves and others is because of the freedom on might feel while on them. Instead of lugging around a 40 pound bicycle or a 20 pound skateboard; you are traveling using the relative same motion that you do while walking. People given this freedom might be more opportune to take more risks such as fly by people or head into close knit quarters. The more I think about it the more that I think that that having a more agile way of transportation could in the wrong hands, be more dangerous to the people surrounding them. Similar to the people on long boards, the people that I do see traveling around on campus wearing roller blades also seem to be for the most part inexperienced. Traveling at a high rate of speed like they are; you would assume that would be comfortable and know how to stop but that is not the case.
According to what I’ve seen walking around campus, traveling along campus on anything other than your feet is ridiculous. Putting the people around at risk traveling though a crowded campus at a rate of speed that is unjust is unnecessary. Having seen some irresponsible people around campus I would strongly suggest some regulations, as far as transportation is concerned. I’ve preached my opinion on the risks of how it could affect our peers, but they need to realize what issues they could face if anything were to happen. Not just pertaining to a self afflicted injury, but the possibility of anything from a lawsuit or death could occur. I honestly believe that if we just take a look in the mirror, give ourselves a little more time to get where we need to be, and proceed in an organized manner; then our campus can be a lot safer as well as less congested.
The number one mode of transportation that frustrates me on campus is the bicycle. While the rest of us our walking casually at 5 to 6 miles per hour {around 10 if were late}, people riding bike can easily hit 20 miles per hour. Besides the fact that there whizzing by us at an alarming speed, they are also causing even more congestion then we already have on campus. Bicycles are a very enjoyable, healthy, fun – loving activity, but I don’t believe that there is much room for them on campus. Last week while walking to class along the breeze way, I was almost trampled by a two companion bicyclists speeding down the walkway. I was fortunate to being paying attention and quickly move out the way, but people are usually listening to their music which makes them more prone to not paying attention. It is still very dangerous and it is probably one of the most maneuverable modes of transportation there is.
Following the bike, in a very close second, has to be the skateboard / long boards. Even though they do not take up as much room as the bicycle they can hit very high speeds and can easily break an ankle. Without stereotyping, it seems that the “free spirits” with the care – free attitude are the ones riding these contraptions. With this attitude as well as blatant disrespect for their peers, there are numerous incidents just waiting to happen at an alarming rate. Unlike the Bicycle, which can easily be locked to a tree or bike rack; skateboards are forced to be carried around campus clogging the already congested classrooms and hallways. Another thing about the skateboard is the fact that most of the riders are inexperienced as well as just plain awful. Considering the danger of this transportation to a pedestrian around an experienced rider, the numbers must increase drastically around an inexperienced one. The campus is already extremely over crowded as it is, but with the skateboards and even longer, less maneuverable long boards, it is only increasing congestion and putting everyone else in danger. I don’t know if you have every walked in a 500 person class trying to climb over peoples laps with skate / long boards in front of them, but it is not easy, nor pleasant.
The last but probably most understandable and less dangerous mode of transportation is the rollerblades. Even though you can hit an extremely high rate of speed, they seem to be the most maneuverable even though I might be confused. Since my time at the University of Central Florida I have never really had any situations with them; so I might be bias. Looking at them from an outside perspective though I could see how they could also be dangerous. I have personally never ridden on rollerblades but they seem relatively maneuverable. Due to the fact that they could be a lot more of a burden to take off and on I can see why they are less likely to be used; which could be why I find them less of a burden. Nonetheless, it is still dangerous to travel by this transportation. A reason why it could be even more endangering to themselves and others is because of the freedom on might feel while on them. Instead of lugging around a 40 pound bicycle or a 20 pound skateboard; you are traveling using the relative same motion that you do while walking. People given this freedom might be more opportune to take more risks such as fly by people or head into close knit quarters. The more I think about it the more that I think that that having a more agile way of transportation could in the wrong hands, be more dangerous to the people surrounding them. Similar to the people on long boards, the people that I do see traveling around on campus wearing roller blades also seem to be for the most part inexperienced. Traveling at a high rate of speed like they are; you would assume that would be comfortable and know how to stop but that is not the case.
According to what I’ve seen walking around campus, traveling along campus on anything other than your feet is ridiculous. Putting the people around at risk traveling though a crowded campus at a rate of speed that is unjust is unnecessary. Having seen some irresponsible people around campus I would strongly suggest some regulations, as far as transportation is concerned. I’ve preached my opinion on the risks of how it could affect our peers, but they need to realize what issues they could face if anything were to happen. Not just pertaining to a self afflicted injury, but the possibility of anything from a lawsuit or death could occur. I honestly believe that if we just take a look in the mirror, give ourselves a little more time to get where we need to be, and proceed in an organized manner; then our campus can be a lot safer as well as less congested.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
about my thesis paragraph
In my thesis paragraph I'm going to include how people using other modes of transportation to get around campus frustrates me as well as puts others at risk
second paragraph - How bikes can hit the highest rate of speed and how they congest the campus
third paragraph - how skateboards and long boards effect the campus
fourth pararaph - how rollerblades are the least used but can also effect the weel being of the students on campus. escpecially if the rider is inexperienced.
second paragraph - How bikes can hit the highest rate of speed and how they congest the campus
third paragraph - how skateboards and long boards effect the campus
fourth pararaph - how rollerblades are the least used but can also effect the weel being of the students on campus. escpecially if the rider is inexperienced.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Hypo Bowl
1.What is the trend or situation on which the commentary focuses?
The trend that sex sells, and that naive networks never follow through with there claims of changing. Also, that they will do anything to get viewers.2. Does the author give the reader an interesting introduction to the issue? Why or why not?
Yes, I thought that I could feel the passion that the reader.3. Does the author explain the context of the issue? How in-depth does he or she go? What do you think this signifies regarding the intended audience of the commentary?
Yes, I believe that in every incident they went into detail and focused on anyone who would listen.4. What are the possible causes of the trend or situation the author explores?
The trend is that sex sells, and that as time passes it becomes more acceptable.5. What examples or observations does the author give from his or her own life to back their belief that these are the possible causes?
I don’t believe that any examples came from their own life. I just believe that they were stating facts and backing them up with evidence.6. What is the author's stance on the topic?
From my perspective, I believe that the author is joking about the situation, and thinks that people are overreacting.7. What significance does the author see in this trend or situation?
I believe that the trend is that networks are going to do whatever it takes to get viewers and captivate there audience by any means necessary.
Nicholas Byers
The trend that sex sells, and that naive networks never follow through with there claims of changing. Also, that they will do anything to get viewers.2. Does the author give the reader an interesting introduction to the issue? Why or why not?
Yes, I thought that I could feel the passion that the reader.3. Does the author explain the context of the issue? How in-depth does he or she go? What do you think this signifies regarding the intended audience of the commentary?
Yes, I believe that in every incident they went into detail and focused on anyone who would listen.4. What are the possible causes of the trend or situation the author explores?
The trend is that sex sells, and that as time passes it becomes more acceptable.5. What examples or observations does the author give from his or her own life to back their belief that these are the possible causes?
I don’t believe that any examples came from their own life. I just believe that they were stating facts and backing them up with evidence.6. What is the author's stance on the topic?
From my perspective, I believe that the author is joking about the situation, and thinks that people are overreacting.7. What significance does the author see in this trend or situation?
I believe that the trend is that networks are going to do whatever it takes to get viewers and captivate there audience by any means necessary.
Nicholas Byers
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
letter to UCF
Dear UCF:
There is an epidemic, from my perspective, going on around campus. This is that students and faculty across campus are using other modes of transportation to get around campus while others, such as myself are walking. This frustrates me for a multiple of reasons. Number one is the fact that every day that I calmly make my way around campus I am being put at risk because of the fact that others are flying by me at an alarming rate. I understand that people may on occasion, be late for class which in turn will make them increase their rate of speed, but on bikes / roller blades / skateboards and long boards this is dangerous. From my point of view, I put others at risk when I’m sprinting trying to make class on time; and this is using my own feet. If you just sit and put yourself or one of your loved ones in this position then I believe that you will think hands down things need to be changed. Everyone, including teachers and staff are at risk and I believe under a certain amount of scrutiny, then we can make a change for the better. I have noticed also that some of the people using these modes of transportation are riding things twice the size of themselves. That can’t be safe. I literally saw a girl about five feet two inches tall riding a long board that was easier taller than she was and probably weighed just as much. There was no way that she could have controlled it in a crucial situation. I know that we can’t be bias and let some people using transportation and others not. So how could we make a drastic change for the better without drastically affecting the students? I figured that maybe there could be designated areas along the walkways around campus that could just be for bicycles / roller blades / skateboards etc. I believe that this could be an inexpensive way that could overall improve the well – being of the campus and its community. Not knowing the history of these incidents I can only go on what I see, and if there hasn’t been a lawsuit already then I’m sure it is only inevitable. I know multiple people {friends, family, etc.} that use different means of transportation to get around campus and I strongly urge them to reconsider and walk their lazy butts to class. I think that overall there needs to be some changes for the better around campus. Understandably I could see how at a smaller school this wouldn’t be such a problem, but the fact still remains that at one of the largest University’s in the country, we need to think outside the box and keep our students safety in mind. The majority of people do not like change, but when the overall well – being of the community is in question then without question, changes need to be made. Thank you very much for your time and I hope you take my words into consideration.
There is an epidemic, from my perspective, going on around campus. This is that students and faculty across campus are using other modes of transportation to get around campus while others, such as myself are walking. This frustrates me for a multiple of reasons. Number one is the fact that every day that I calmly make my way around campus I am being put at risk because of the fact that others are flying by me at an alarming rate. I understand that people may on occasion, be late for class which in turn will make them increase their rate of speed, but on bikes / roller blades / skateboards and long boards this is dangerous. From my point of view, I put others at risk when I’m sprinting trying to make class on time; and this is using my own feet. If you just sit and put yourself or one of your loved ones in this position then I believe that you will think hands down things need to be changed. Everyone, including teachers and staff are at risk and I believe under a certain amount of scrutiny, then we can make a change for the better. I have noticed also that some of the people using these modes of transportation are riding things twice the size of themselves. That can’t be safe. I literally saw a girl about five feet two inches tall riding a long board that was easier taller than she was and probably weighed just as much. There was no way that she could have controlled it in a crucial situation. I know that we can’t be bias and let some people using transportation and others not. So how could we make a drastic change for the better without drastically affecting the students? I figured that maybe there could be designated areas along the walkways around campus that could just be for bicycles / roller blades / skateboards etc. I believe that this could be an inexpensive way that could overall improve the well – being of the campus and its community. Not knowing the history of these incidents I can only go on what I see, and if there hasn’t been a lawsuit already then I’m sure it is only inevitable. I know multiple people {friends, family, etc.} that use different means of transportation to get around campus and I strongly urge them to reconsider and walk their lazy butts to class. I think that overall there needs to be some changes for the better around campus. Understandably I could see how at a smaller school this wouldn’t be such a problem, but the fact still remains that at one of the largest University’s in the country, we need to think outside the box and keep our students safety in mind. The majority of people do not like change, but when the overall well – being of the community is in question then without question, changes need to be made. Thank you very much for your time and I hope you take my words into consideration.
answer to my 10 questions
1. It could potentially put them in danger
2. they can get there own paths
3. makes me more worried about my surroundings
4. No i have never heardof any lawsuits
5. Yes, many of them
6. Observing my surroundings
7. A friend of the topic
8. It is connected to the overall well - being of the students on campus
9. Then it would be a lot more organized and safe around campus
10. For the safety of the community
2. they can get there own paths
3. makes me more worried about my surroundings
4. No i have never heardof any lawsuits
5. Yes, many of them
6. Observing my surroundings
7. A friend of the topic
8. It is connected to the overall well - being of the students on campus
9. Then it would be a lot more organized and safe around campus
10. For the safety of the community
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