As you walk around campus each day, you might notice several things: the splashing fountain in front of the Ferguson Center, the way Denny Chimes looks in the afternoon light, people studying on the quad. If you are paying attention, then you will also notice the two-wheeled vehicles zipping by you in a flash of spokes and handlebars. Bicycles comprise a large transportation source for students on our campus and continue to provide a fast alternative.
Nick Fairbairn, a sophomore majoring in computer science, decided to start using his bike this year after moving off campus.
“Last year I lived on campus at Blount, and that was a walk away from all my classes,” Fairbairn said. “This year I’m living at South 10, and it’s on the other side of the train tracks. I need a bike to make it on time to class.”
Jack Lyons, a sophomore majoring in math and science, also rides his bike around campus, but thinks the benefits of bicycling are unique to the individual.
“I think a bike makes sense for an individual to use under a certain circumstances,” Lyons said. “If someone lives on campus, a bike would not be as necessary and helpful. If you live a far distance away, a bike isn’t as feasible as other transportation, but if you’re only a reasonable distance away then having a bike makes sense.”
While many students opt to purchase their own bikes, Lyons chose to rent one from the Outdoor Recreation Center, providing him with all the benefits of cycling without having to make a long-term commitment to owning a bike.
“I bike to campus just because I live off-campus, and it’s a bit of a distance to walk,” Lyons said. “[Walking] would not be feasible because of the time constraints. Biking allows you to get more done in the day.”
Lauren Peck, a freshman majoring in chemical engineering, said she bikes to make cross-campus transportation more fast and effective. She has back-to-back classes and didn’t find walking across campus in 10 minutes to be feasible.
“It’s quicker. I have more time to get ready for class, or not get ready for class and sit and do other things instead of going to class,” she said.
Fairbairn said bike lanes are inconsistent in some areas of campus, often inflicting some level of turmoil and causing people not to use them.
“No one follows the bike lanes because they are inconsistent,” Fairbairn said. “There might be a bike lane on one road and not another, or a bike lane going one way and not the other. And sometimes they just magically disappear.”
Safety is also an important issue for bikers, Fairbairn said.
“I feel like it’s dangerous if you’re not following the rules that have been put in place,” Fairbairn said. “No one wears helmets, and I’m really surprised how dangerous it can be since campus is so chaotic.”
