I applaud the attention you’ve recently given to the obvious problems surrounding bicycle parking and bike culture on this campus. What your recent article “Bicycle Bedlam” didn’t mention was that the University actually removed several bike racks in front of buildings over the past summer.

When questioned about this, Parking Services said they took the action due to “aesthetic considerations,” and then mentioned they have 50 more bike racks in storage while they consider appropriate locations for them. One of the most important factors in promoting bike culture is visibility and convenience, which Parking Services crippled when they removed the convenient racks in front of buildings, including the Gorgas Library.

A bike-share program will do very little until this campus gets serious about promoting and accommodating the benefits of bike culture, including putting the racks back in front of buildings where they belong, expanding bike lanes, and educating riders on bike laws (don’t ride the wrong way in bike lanes; use hand signals; stay off sidewalks without painted lanes) and pedestrians on awareness (don’t walk in bike lanes – it’s the same as walking in the middle of the road).

Roll, Bikes, Roll!

Eric Parker is an instructor in the English department.