Getting 55 miles per gallon, parking steps away from class and paying only $100 a year for auto insurance is a dream for most University students.For students who ride motorcycles to class, it’s a reality.”My first year, there were only 3 or 4 people in each lot,” said Mark Duplessis, communication studies senior. “Now it’s sometimes hard to find a parking space.”The Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation sold 17 percent more motorcycle parking passes this year than last, according to Director Gary Graham. There are currently 126 students with motorcycle permits.”Gas is cheaper, insurance is cheaper and you can park right next to the doors of your class,” Duplessis said.Kevin Goodlett, sociology senior, said he gets 55 miles per gallon on his Kawasaki Ninja and can get minimum insurance coverage for $100 a year.Goodlett said the main reason he rides to class is the convenience of parking “smack dab in the middle of campus.”Graham said the gates of Easy Streets are designed so that the motorcycles can go around them to get into the interior of campus and park in the designated motorcycle parking areas.”Easy Streets is the best thing that has ever happened for motorcyclists on campus,” Duplessis said. “There are no random kids driving on campus, so it’s a lot safer for us.”Graham said commuters who bought a car permit can get a motorcycle permit at no additional charge. A motorcycle-only permit costs $21 for the year. A car pass costs $87 for commuters annually.”My situational awareness is actually higher when I’m on a bike because I know it’s more dangerous,” Goodlett said. “I pay attention to the road and people a lot more than when I’m in my car.”Duplessis and Goodlett are part of a group of students trying to start a motorcycle club on campus. Duplessis said several students have been trying for a couple of years to become a student organization but have never been able to complete all the necessary insurance requirements. The Facebook group “Motorcycle Club of LSU” contains 40 members.Duplessis said a group of six to 15 people usually meets for unofficial meetings Monday nights at the motorcycle parking lot in front of Lockett Hall. Duplessis said the group usually rides to a restaurant for dinner and organizes day-long rides throughout the year. The group promotes safety and brotherhood among motorcyclists. “Once you start riding a lot, the bike feels like an extension of your body,” Goodlett said. Duplessis and Goodlett said motorcycles are especially beneficial on gamedays.”I park on the Parade Grounds,” Duplessis said. “I just pull up 10 feet from where we are tailgating.”Goodlett said he can go around road blocks and access areas of campus that cars cannot on gamedays.Duplessis said he has had some problems with students getting angry when he splits lanes of traffic.”People throw their doors open and get out and scream because they don’t want people to pass in front of them,” Duplessis said.Cars and motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely. Lane sharing when splitting lanes of traffic is usually prohibited, according to the Louisiana DMV Motorcycle Operation Manual. “We’ve noticed that some people riding motor scooters pop their helmets on without strapping them down,” Graham said. “If you get in an accident, it won’t do any good unless it’s fastened.”Louisiana state law mandates helmets be worn when riding a motorcycle.The DMV’s Motorcycle Operation Manual says helmets should be securely fastened and snugly fitted to the head.
 
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Contact Jack LeBlanc at [email protected]