While DU might not have the largest campus on earth, it can still be a serious hike to classes, and when you wake up late in Halls for that 8 a.m. in Newman, you’re going to want the best transportation available to get you there. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of popular transportation options for campus:

The Bicycle

Men in handlebar mustaches and monocles didn’t invent this piece of machinery just for fun. There is no mode of non-motorized transportation more efficient and faster than a bike. Unfortunately this means nothing at 7:55 in the morning when you reach the bike rack to find that someone was kind enough to lock their bike through yours, or you reach Newman to find that there are zero spots left for you to leave your bike.

This is all if you don’t collide into a clueless pedestrian who simply can’t move out of the way. However, if these problems don’t arise, you’ll be at class on time, every time. Another absolute plus is that when the temps drop and the flakes start to fall, the bike still works, and when it’s 20 degrees out you’re gonna want to get to class as quick as possible, just be careful with braking.

The Skateboard

The bike might be faster and more graceful (probably safer as well), but the skateboard wins in portability and ease of use. Also everybody looks cooler on a longboard (or so we’ve been told). The biggest advantage of the skateboard is the ability to hop on and off, there’s no need to lock, and with smaller sized boards you can even bring them into class. Not to mention that you save money, with the average new skateboard being cheaper than the average used bike; and with less maintenance required. 

However, the biggest disadvantage to the skateboard is the fact that no matter how seasoned of a skater you are, you can only foot-brake so much, and at some point—most likely while flying at mach 10 down the library hill—you’re going to have to ditch the board to save the lives of yourself and the group of people in front of you. It should also be mentioned that in the presence of snow a skateboard basically becomes unusable and should be avoided at all costs. Small plastic wheels and snow or slush don’t agree with each other.

Futurefoot/Hoverboard/No-handed Segway

Your major advantages while using this form of futuristic transportation are both how cool and innovative you become, as well as those sweet blue lights on the front. The major disadvantages are that nobody actually knows what to call the thing and that just by using one you set humanity on the course to becoming the people in WALL-E.

Walking

No locks, no registration, no fear of potholes, no needing to learn how to brake; walking is the easiest, cheapest and least dangerous of all the transportation options. The downside to walking is that it’s walking. It’s seriously boring, and by the time you get to class it might have felt like you have crossed the Sahara, or come winter, Siberia. In the end it’s good old-fashioned exercise, and as my grandfather would say, “It builds character.” Walking is also the only transportation method that allows you to socialize, which can either be a good thing or bad thing depending on your mood and if you’ve had your morning coffee yet. So, if the very notion of wheels and pavement terrify you, then lace up your shoes and get walking, you’ve got a long way to go.

The Moped

Now I must admit, I have little experience with these death-traps, but they look like a good time. Of course they are faster than most options, and you really fit in with the city-crowd if you get one, however I can’t help but think that the ease of use inherent with other options is simply not there, and the expenses of owning a scooter can’t be cheap. If you have the cash and the courage, get a moped and leave everybody else in the dust, just try your absolute hardest not to accidentally take the on-ramp for I25.