Since the closure of the old Student Union, everyone has been forced to walk all the way around the construction, either between Pottle Music Building and Twelve Oaks Reception Hall or along the North Oak Street sidewalk from Fayard Hall to Ned McGeehee Drive. On the sidewalk along the street, masses of students make their way back and forth across campus, but the sidewalk is not big enough for everyone who is walking in high-traffic areas. The problem only gets worse when you add skateboarders and bicyclers into the mix.
I’m not saying I don’t approve of these methods of transportation. I don’t know about everyone else, but bikes and skateboards are often more economically feasible for college students than cars, especially since they do not require monthly notes, insurance payments and a full tank of gas. In addition, it is much easier to lock up your bicycle than find a parking place on campus. Despite all of these conveniences, when someone comes speeding down the sidewalk on one of those, people either have to move into the grass or force the bicycler onto the street.
I don’t want to get taken out by a bicycle, and I also don’t want my friends riding their bikes in the streets. That’s just not safe. That’s why I would suggest that Southeastern add bike lanes around campus.
According to a 2013 USA Today article by collegiate corresponder Nick Defiesta, many cities and campuses have separate sidewalks for bikes because it is safer and more economical for many people.
The streets are dangerous for those walking and riding bikes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic-related injuries on the nation’s roadways killed 33,561 people in 2012. According to the NHTSA numbers, the number of pedestrian deaths in 2012 rose 6.4 percent to a total of 4,743 deaths while walking, and fatal accidents while bicycling increased 6.5 percent to 726 deaths.
Walking across campus, I’ve seen people riding their bikes full speed down the streets. If a car were to make a turn without seeing them, they would get hit and possibly be killed. I think bike lanes would be worth it if they saved even just one life from a tragic accident.
According to its self-titled campaign website, Green Lane Project has been helping cities across the United States to “build better bike lanes for stress-free streets.” The current project entitled “Green Lane Project 2.0” has begun working on protected bike lanes, which include barriers separating the lane from the street. This is the safest alternative in order to separate cars, bicyclists and pedestrians everywhere.
When it comes down to it, bike lanes are a much safer and more efficient solution when it comes to pedestrian traffic and crowded sidewalks.
Now that the Student Union is complete, maybe the university should charge every student a $1 fee next semester and use the money to pay for bike lanes. It would be a worthwhile and inexpensive addition to campus that could save people from potential accidents. I also think it would be another positive reason for potential students to choose Southeastern.