Opinions • Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Campus Guide • 23
Campus biking: pros outweigh cons for pedal-powered transit BY ALLISON ALTERMAN
Arizona Summer Wildcat
E
ach school morning, a river of students flows down Tucson’s bikeways to converge into a sea of two-wheeled machines on the UA campus. With hundreds of bikes parked along the perimeter of the UA Mall, and a steady stream of cyclists weaving around buildings and pedestrians throughout the day, it is plain to see that many students feel the pros of commuting to school by bicycle outweigh the cons. For students who choose to walk or drive to campus, bicycles may seem an unnecessary hazard and inconvenience. The sheer volume of bicycle traffic can lead to crashes between cyclists, and the Tucson Sun Link Modern Streetcar route through campus has caused dozens of tires to slip in its tracks. A flat tire on
offers (and highly recommends) free bike a commute could cause tardiness, and bicycles registration . This can be done online or at the can’t provide air conditioning or monsoon Bike Valet or Bike Station on campus ; the latter protection the way that cars can. location sometimes offers free bike lights or Cars, however, come with inconveniences bells along with registration. of their own. The expense of obtaining and “[Registration] proves a record of ownership, maintaining an automobile, filling it with acts as documentation for your insurance gas and keeping it insured is astronomically carrier, aids authorities in locating higher than the cost of owning the owner of a stolen bike [and a bicycle. A large shortage of Easy bicycle offers] free lock cutting service for parking availability on campus UA-registered bikes on campus,” means that even if students do access and according to the PTS website. obtain a spot in a garage, it may bike racks Bike registration is so important not be close to where they need throughout because, unfortunately, there is to go. For commuters traveling campus make bicycle theft on campus. Owning within a few miles of campus, riding to class a quality U-lock and securing traffic congestion in the area both the front wheel and frame can easily make traveling to a good option. to a rack at all times is important. school by car take longer than Alternatively, the UA provides traveling by bike. a free bike valet service where Easy bicycle access and bike students can relieve their worries about their racks throughout campus make riding to class a bike’s safety. Student workers who man the good option. Although bicycles require a bit of valet trade numbered keychains for bicycles an initial investment, they are cheap and easy and guard the secured bike parking area from 8 to keep rolling thanks to free services provided by the UA. UA Parking and Transportation Services BIKING, 26
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