Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Annie Erskine

The issue: Administrators are aggressively encouraging biking on campus.

Our view: The effort deserves recognition, but there are a couple simple, practical solutions that should also be considered.

No one can claim that Western officials are unaware that transitioning to a more bike-friendly campus is important to the environment, the Hill's aesthetics and the increasing population of bike users.

There are supposed to be 120 new bike racks on campus by the end of the semester. Some will complete bike accommodations near Pearce-Ford Tower, and others will provide more bike parking near academic buildings.

A path connecting main and south campuses is being paved, and officials are working with cycling groups and the city to encourage biking in the area.

The parking and transportation department is even considering getting bike lockers and pavilions, said Jennifer Tougas, director of parking and transportation improvements.

Even President Gary Ransdell took a quick turn about town in a public relations-friendly kickoff to Thursday night rides, an initiative to acquaint new bikers with the area.

But bikers' immediate needs include making sure sidewalks are well-paved and putting more racks in place to counteract theft.

Administrators should drastically improve through-campus access for bikes, instead of relegating the only feasible paths to the perimeter sidewalks and motor vehicle traffic if they want to increase biking on campus.

Currently, the only paved inclines on the interior of campus are wheelchair access ramps, which are impractical for bikers and force them to compete with wheelchair users.

A simple interior bike path would make it worth students' time to avoid the daily parking debacle and bike to campus instead.

But there are currently no plans for such improvements because such concerns contrast with how officials want bikes to be used.

A campus biking policy might roll into the not too distant future, Tougas said.

Possible rules are keeping bikes off lawns and encouraging road use, rather than riding on sidewalks. Such a policy would protect pedestrians, since bikes are safer on the roads, Tougas said.

It's important to get from point A to point B, but bikers might not be able to take the route they want, she said.

Ironically, the argument that there's bike access, but not direct access sounds much like the department's argument that there is enough parking on campus, just not when drivers might want it.

The problem is that the parking argument is usually followed in the next breath with a retort about deterring motor vehicle use on campus.

The same dismissal of inconvenient access for bikers won't have two wheels to stand on if administrators hope to inspire people to pedal from their homes regularly.

Officials are right to focus on encouraging more people to bike. But small, practical solutions are the best way to provide for Western cyclists, and they should be closely considered.

The Herald differs with officials on some aspects of biking policy, but we stand behind Tougas and others when she said, "I'm happy to see that the interest in biking around campus continues to grow, and I hope that continues."

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald's 10-member editorial board.