If you notice a strange buzzing sound around campus lately, you aren’t imagining things. Look around, and you can see the latest way to get around — mopeds.

With the American economy rapidly declining, mopeds are a sound investment and college students have taken notice.

“As a previous commuter two days a week, I spent about $50 per week filling up,” said senior English major Kristy Kale. “It would have been nice to save the money I spent on gas to spend on other things.”

Miraculously, mopeds get about 100 miles to a single gallon of gas. The average college student no doubt feels the pain at the pump lately because gas hovers around $4 a gallon.

Also, mopeds can range from about $1,000-$2,000, making them cheaper than a new or used car.

“I like to ride my bike to campus four to five days a week because I don’t have to pay for gas or a parking permit,” said senior English major Lauren Dickens. “But I don’t like riding my bike at night down 38. I don’t feel safe, especially with the constant construction going on.”

Mopeds can’t beat the price of a bicycle, but try peddling 30 mph (the legal speed in Illinois for mopeds). Although it’s unlikely you’d take a moped on a cross-country trip, especially since they are intended for limited public roadway travel, such efficiency is ideal for local travel.

“I would definitely be interested in buying a moped for the months with nice weather like the spring or summertime,” Dickens said.

Special licenses are not required to use a moped, and that fact may cause concern. But other Illinois rules of the road mandate that moped drivers must obey all signs, signals and traffic laws.

Perhaps the main reason involves convenience. Although parking permits are required for all vehicles, imagine weaseling your way into a tight parking spot with a large SUV or truck. Now imagine the same scenario with a tiny moped. You do the math.

So try to shake the nerdy stigma. For those with a little money to invest, not a lot of money to spend on gas and a desire not to pump their pedals, mopeds are the best answer.