Parking Enforcement - Enjoyable or Unbearable?
You've seen them riding around, looking for violators. Is their job more enjoyable now that they ride bikes?
A few months ago, the department
of Parking &
Transportation recently made a change in how
parking enforcement employees patrol the campus. By now
you’ve noticed them riding around the parking lots with their
Trek mountain bikes outfitted with rear racks and rack top
bags. On the surface, this is a great move by the department
to reduce their gasoline consumption and help the
environment. Considering how beneficial riding a bike can be,
whether it’s for work, for commuting, or for recreational
purposes, I decided to catch up with one and ask him about
his job. I chose not to identify and photograph him during
the interview, in order to get the most truthful answers and
for his protection. All parking enforcement employees in this
photograph are just for decoration purposes and do not imply
that these employees were the ones interviewed.
Employee #1
How long have you been working
for Parking & Transportation?
2 years
Around what time did the
department begin using bicycles in place of golf carts?
Months ago, 4 or 5 months ago.
Whose idea was it, if you know?
I don’t know. I’m not happy with
it…
You’re not? Because that was
going to be the next question – how would you rate your
enjoyment of the work that you do compared to before?
I don’t enjoy it all. Not a bit.
Do you think your other
coworkers feel the same way?
Yes.
So you don’t think that the
switch was a good decision?
No.
Why not?
Because of the weather. The
weather’s not helping at all. And we work 10 hours a day.
Since you ride all over campus,
is there anything that makes it difficult to ride, or do you
have any complaints, besides the weather?
Just the weather bro.
Thank you for taking a few
minutes to speak with me.
I was actually quite shocked at
his answers, but after thinking about it for a while, there’s
no reason to be shocked. That day I was riding around in a
golf cart (electric golf cart, that is), and I was still
sweating – that’s how hot it was. While he was answering my
questions, I noticed that he was drenched in sweat (and his
helmet wasn’t helping), so I did feel some sympathy for him,
but I couldn’t help but notice the slight irritation in his
voice, so I decided to get a second opinion. I caught up with
another employee, and here’s how he answered the questions:
Employee #2
How long have you been working
for Parking & Transportation?
About a year and a half, almost
two.
How would you rate your
enjoyment of the work that you do, now that you’re on a bike
instead of a golf cart?
It’s…the bike is kinda…since it’s
hot outside, it’s not too fun, but…it’s not that bad. On a
scale from one to ten, it’s like a six.
[For some reason, this next answer
wasn’t in the recording, so I’m paraphrasing his answer.]
Do you feel that your coworkers
feel the same?
Generally. Some of them feel
pretty strongly about riding instead of using the golf carts,
but even though the weather’s a big issue, it’s mostly about
pay. If we were paid better, I wouldn’t be complaining, and
I’m pretty sure none of the others would be complaining
either. And plus we work long hours, so we would be okay with
it if we were paid more. I personally kinda enjoy it, even
though it’s so hot, because I love the outdoors.
Since you ride all over campus,
is there anything that makes it difficult to ride? Do you
have any complaints?
Not really…it’s pretty simple to
ride on campus with a bike. It’s just as easy as a golf cart,
maybe even easier.
Judging from the second employee’s
answers and how he partially confirms the first employee’s
answers, here is my conclusion: it doesn’t matter what you’re
doing outside – when it’s this hot, the heat will get to you.
I totally agree with these two men on the heat, because it
can get quite dangerous. I believe that while a change in
their salaries is a partial solution, the rest lies with the
person behind this change to bicycles. The best way to go
green in this case would be to switch from gas-powered golf
carts to electric ones, and make the bikes optional. As
beneficial as riding a bike can be, no one likes to sweat,
and especially these guys (and gals), who work outside for 10
hours a day.