Cyclists get specific spaces

Complaints over the past two years from students that ride motorcycles and scooters to campus have prompted Florida A&M University parking services to create 50 new parking spaces.

Three new spaces at the bottom level of the parking garage and another set between B.L. Perry and the Foster Tanner Music Building, have already been constructed. More parking spots will be created in general parking areas.

James Lockley, assistant chief of FAMU police, said the new project will give cyclists the opportunity to have their own spaces.

Lockley said the plan will encourage more cyclists to register their vehicles on campus.

“As of last year, there is only one registered motorcycle in the FAMU vehicle registry compared to the 6,000 to 10,000 cars registered,” he said.

The motorcyclists have the same rules as the other vehicles in the parking areas and roads. They are still required to get a permit, which is paid for through a transportation fee covered by tuition.

There have been no reports of theft in the past with motorcycles and scooters, and Lockley said he hopes the statistics will be the same with the new parking areas .

Obika Griffith, 24, a senior education student from Washington, D.C., said he owns and rides a scooter every day to school, and the new parking spaces are long overdue.

“I have to worry about parking and having cars hit my scooter as it is parked,” Griffith said. “Finally they are taking our needs into consideration.”

Austin Williams, 20, a second year accounting student and car owner from Orlando, said more parking spaces for cars is more important than parking spaces for motorcycles and scooters.

“They need to build garages and pave over the gravel before spending time and money on unnecessary things,” Williams said.

He said the lack of parking next to classes for cars should send a message to parking services.

“I feel the university has made many mistakes when it comes to parking service that they need to look into,” Williams said. “They need to look into the concerns of the motor vehicles owners before they worry about motorcycles and scooters.”

The process will take three months until completion, according to Lockley.