This week, I dealt with a catastrophic situation: my beloved electric scooter was stolen. Prior to this event, I honestly believed Bucknell was the type of school where I would not have to worry about my belongings getting stolen. I mean, I have lost count of the amount of times I have seen people leave their expensive MacBooks, iPads and other electronic devices unattended in the library and academic buildings. After dealing with the ordeal, losing my mind publicly outside of the ELC and even plotting about the thief on YikYak, I have some reflections to share.

The moment I stepped out of the ELC on Tuesday afternoon, I was shocked to see my scooter was gone without a trace. I was walking with a friend, and she tried to calm me down by suggesting we look around the other side of the building. I was panicking, thinking about how much it had cost me to purchase my scooter. When I realized it was really gone, I felt so much irritation and sickness. I called Public Safety, and when I got back to my building after talking to the officer, I was both furious and dejected. Scooters are such an asset, and losing one made me realize how much of a blessing it is to have one.

I have seen plenty of hate toward electric scooters, with people calling them annoying or unnecessary. The truth is, most of the complaints come from people who secretly want one. I will admit, I sometimes felt self-conscious about mine because my friends would joke about it. But scooters are practical and incredibly useful, especially if you do not have a car or cannot drive. They make getting around campus so much easier.

Of course, there are downsides. The biggest one is navigating during peak Bucknell hours, especially in between classes. It can be a nightmare trying to weave through the crowded walkways when people refuse to move. If I see someone on a scooter or bike trying to get by, I step to the side. It is not hard. A little awareness and courtesy would go a long way.

I will also admit that having a scooter makes me lazy sometimes. I get fewer steps and walking activity because I would rather zoom around on my scooter. But considering how hilly Bucknell’s campus is, that trade-off feels worth it. The walkways here are mostly smooth and the roads are manageable. Ever since I got my scooter, I have never worried about having to speed walk or rush anywhere, let alone ever be late to morning classes. I can leave my dorm just minutes before class and still make it there on time, calm and collected. 

There is also something I have noticed as a woman on a scooter: I mostly only ever see men riding them. It makes me laugh when I zoom past groups of people, but it also makes me want to say that more girlies should invest in a scooter. They are not as expensive as many assume, and the freedom and convenience is totally worth it.

After countless calls back and forth, I eventually got my scooter back (big shoutout to Officer Tracy from Public Safety). This whole experience reminded me that while Bucknell does not have a huge theft problem, stealing does happen, and it should be taken seriously. Stealing is not some harmless prank. It is selfish, disruptive and deeply frustrating. Additionally, stealing someone else’s belongings is a criminal offense, and Public Safety will not hesitate to investigate the issue in a timely manner, so I would highly recommend keeping your hands off of other people’s belongings.

In the end, this ordeal really taught me how much I appreciate my scooter. It offers me convenience, mobility and peace of mind. People may roll their eyes at scooters, but once you have one, you realize how much sense they make on this campus. If you do not already have one, maybe it is time to reconsider.