With warmer temperatures finally here, some UW-Platteville students are putting away their cars and trucks, grabbing a helmet and taking on the streets of Platteville on their motorcycles, sports bikes and mo-peds.

Photograph by Brady Terry
Industrial Technology Management major Matt Yorde rides home on his mo-ped from the Pioneer Activity Center on May 6.

Students have a variety of reasons as to why they choose this alternative form of transportation.

Aaron Breuer, a sophomore agricultural business major, drives his Yamaha 650 Maxum to campus. Breuer enjoys driving his bike around, but said the downside to driving a motorcyle is that people driving in vehicles do not always see you on a motorcyle.

“I bought my bike last year,” Breuer said. “I bought it because of the gas mileage and the freedom it offers me.”

Sophomore business administration major Steve Brink bought his 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail in February.

“I have always wanted a Harley-Davidson since I was old enough to know what a motorcycle was,” Brink said. “I sold my previous bike last summer, and I needed something to replace it with.”

Freshman general engineering major Eric Wall drives a Suzuki GSX-R 600 sports bike. Wall has had his bike since last August.

“I got my bike because it was a hobby that my friends got me into,” Wall said. “Both my neighbors, who are my good friends, had bikes, and I rode theirs and realized that I really enjoyed riding bikes.”

Wall owned a mini dirt bike when he was younger and really liked it, so he bought something bigger and faster.

“I definitely prefer my bike over my car,” Wall said. “When you ride your bike you can take full advantage of the nice weather. You are out in the open air and it’s something you can’t experience in your car.”