The industrialized world is riding bicycles. Here we see a typical street
in Berlin, which has more than 800 km (500 miles) of bike lanes to
encourage biking. Notice also that few wear helmets. There is no
need because everyone rides blikes and respects them.
Biking is big in Europe (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands where I have checked it out) and in some parts of the US (Portland, Seattle, SF, Philadelphia, Chicago and more!) but it sure hasn't caught on here at EMU in Ypsilanti (but it should. Many of the cities that have high rates of bicycle riders are noted to have a flat topography.). Riding on the streets here is taking your life in your hands. People just don't look for bikes and you MUST wear a helmet and still be very careful. I ride on the sidewalks because it is safer.
Chris on a bike trip in Germany.
I have been riding my bike to school now for 8 years. I am one of the very few. But it makes so much sense, an easy way to get some exercise, have fun, and MUCH better than trying to find a parking space at school.
Parking is a big problem at EMU. You have to come before 8 or after 3 to be guaranteed a space. But there are ways around this, if we just think creatively. For example, students like T-Th classes. The parking lots are always full then. Why not have MW classes too? We still have MWF classes, and students do not like them as much as T-Th classes. On Friday the parking lots are basically empty. You can come almost any time of day and get a space. So set up the schedule to accomodate both the parking and the preference for classes — T-Th, and M-W. Fridays can be used for those who have 5 day classes, and for once a week 3 hour classes, just like evening classes. That would help even out the parking situation where students and professors alike have to line up at the gates to find a space.
People will park anywhere. A reason to have a Jeep.
Another idea that would help and encourage bicycling would be to have limited parking passes, say, 20 times a semester. That would allow for when you need a car (heavy loads or really bad weather) and still have some parking. The cost could be a deal, and everyone who rides will have the advantages of a healthier lifestyle and the freedom of riding a bike. If you live too far then you can bike to a bus stop and put your bike on the bus and ride to the school.
And, of course, preferred passes could be given to people who drive cars that get more than 30 mpg, or drive smaller cars (more spaces per 1000 sq. ft.). currently with the size of cars a 1000 square feet yields only 3.6 spaces. (Maybe after enough people start riding bikes we can convert the extra spaces into a bike "station" with lockers and showers. Chicago has adopted these. ) With smaller cars the amount could be almost tripled. But not having a car is the best answer. Maybe a reduction in tuition for those who ride bikes (and a reduction in health care costs for professors and staff.)
I have to say that when I riding my bike to school is the fastest and easiest method of transport. No waiting for a parking space and saving the walk to the class. Now if we can only get some bike lanes and maybe even some of the special traffic signals for bicycles!
"Americans drive cars and taxis more than 1.5 trillion miles each year," said Gary Gardner, author of "When Cities Take Bicycles Seriously," an article in the September/October issue of World-Watch magazine. "Shifting just 5 percent of those miles to bicycles would save at least $100 billion. Much of urban travel is already "bike-sized": 40 percent of all trips in the United States, and 50 percent in Britain, are two miles in length or shorter. More than 25 percent of all trips in the U.S. are less than one mile.
From http://apta.com/services/intnatl/intfocus/bicycles.cfm
Chris on a bike trip in Germany.I have been riding my bike to school now for 8 years. I am one of the very few. But it makes so much sense, an easy way to get some exercise, have fun, and MUCH better than trying to find a parking space at school.
Parking is a big problem at EMU. You have to come before 8 or after 3 to be guaranteed a space. But there are ways around this, if we just think creatively. For example, students like T-Th classes. The parking lots are always full then. Why not have MW classes too? We still have MWF classes, and students do not like them as much as T-Th classes. On Friday the parking lots are basically empty. You can come almost any time of day and get a space. So set up the schedule to accomodate both the parking and the preference for classes — T-Th, and M-W. Fridays can be used for those who have 5 day classes, and for once a week 3 hour classes, just like evening classes. That would help even out the parking situation where students and professors alike have to line up at the gates to find a space.
People will park anywhere. A reason to have a Jeep.And, of course, preferred passes could be given to people who drive cars that get more than 30 mpg, or drive smaller cars (more spaces per 1000 sq. ft.). currently with the size of cars a 1000 square feet yields only 3.6 spaces. (Maybe after enough people start riding bikes we can convert the extra spaces into a bike "station" with lockers and showers. Chicago has adopted these. ) With smaller cars the amount could be almost tripled. But not having a car is the best answer. Maybe a reduction in tuition for those who ride bikes (and a reduction in health care costs for professors and staff.)
I have to say that when I riding my bike to school is the fastest and easiest method of transport. No waiting for a parking space and saving the walk to the class. Now if we can only get some bike lanes and maybe even some of the special traffic signals for bicycles!
"Americans drive cars and taxis more than 1.5 trillion miles each year," said Gary Gardner, author of "When Cities Take Bicycles Seriously," an article in the September/October issue of World-Watch magazine. "Shifting just 5 percent of those miles to bicycles would save at least $100 billion. Much of urban travel is already "bike-sized": 40 percent of all trips in the United States, and 50 percent in Britain, are two miles in length or shorter. More than 25 percent of all trips in the U.S. are less than one mile.
"Cycling could eliminate some of these short, air-polluting trips," Gardner said, citing estimates that in a seven-mile car trip, 90 percent of emissions are generated in the first mile before the engine warms up.
From http://apta.com/services/intnatl/intfocus/bicycles.cfm
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