Riding a bike doesn’t get students out of dealing with on-campus parking issues anymore.
Many students have found too few bike racks on campus this semester, as identified by the Bike Forums held by Parking Services last month. The Student Government Association, in conjunction with Parking Services, has responded by pledging to add bike racks.
Callie Carmichael, a sophomore majoring in secondary education, said these racks are needed.
“I’ve had problems finding a place to park my bike this entire semester,” Carmichael said. “I got a notice on my bike saying that we’re not allowed to park on the railing at Smith Hall, but there was literally no where else to put it. I’m about to be late for class, my lock won’t fit around a tree, so I don’t know where else to park it.”
SGA and Parking Services recognized the high traffic at Smith Hall and Lloyd Hall, and two new bike racks were installed in front of Lloyd Thursday, Oct. 13. Eight more racks will be installed throughout the course of the year in locations based on student opinion of need.
SGA President Stephen Swinson, said the shortage of bike racks was an issue the new administration wanted to address.
“Parking and Transportation’s Bike Forums found that this was a huge need, and the SGA wanted to work to address the issue,” Swinson said. “We want to install as many racks as needed to make the campus more bike and pedestrian friendly.”
Lance Haynie, coordinator at Outdoor Recreation, has been working to bring the Environmental Council and Parking Services together on a variety of on-campus biking issues. He said students should appreciate the steps the University is taking to address student bikers’ needs, and should utilize the bike racks.
“People should use the racks if they are available,” Haynie said. “It helps keep the sidewalks clear and makes campus more beautiful. In addition, parking in illegal spots like the railing can really get in the way of people with disabilities.”
According to Parking and Transportation Services, there are approximately 100 bike rack locations around campus with one to five racks in each location. Though there are 505 registered bikers, an exact number of how many bikes are on campus is not known. Parking and Transportation Services encouraged students to participate in the free online bike registration process in order for more accurate numbers to be found.
Carmichael said she is pleased with the progress being made on the problem, but there are still areas that need attention.
“For the university as a whole, there has been a quick response,” Carmichael said. “But we need a rack somewhere on sorority row. There is nowhere to park. We get in trouble for chaining them to the fence or patio furniture, but there isn’t a rack and if we don’t chain it up it will get stolen. I cannot stress enough how much I would like to see a bike rack there.”
For more information on bike registration and policies, visit bamaparking.ua.edu and click on bicycle registration.
