UA bike policy illustrates lack of commitment to alternative transportation

I recently received a memorandum from our department head regarding a crackdown on illegally parked bicycles.

Violations:

V2A: parking a bike inside any University building:
$20.00 fine

V2B: blocking and/or parking on any ingress/egress ramp

immediate impoundment

$25.00 fine (first offense)

V2C: $50.00 fine (subsequent offenses)

I have commuted on my bike for the past eight years!

Year after year, I have been asked/required by the university to complete an "alternative transportation survey", and still, I cannot find a secure and convenient place to store my bike. Do you want to know how many bikes I have had stolen over the past s everal years? How many times I have found my seat removed?

Yes, the university is striving to promote alternative forms of transportation, with their very own Alternative Transportation Program. When I called to inquire about renting a locker outside of Life Sciences North (there are none, actually), I was told t he best solution was to lock my bike at Main Gate in a "bike corral" a mile away from where I work.

This is one-third the distance I commute!

I spoke with several administrators, both at UMC and the main campus, and the bottom line is funding. The University of Arizona can find the money to resurface the parking lot directly south of UMC at least once every year, still they cannot find the fund s for installing bike lockers and/or a bike corral close to AHSC.

What is new here at the University of Arizona?

It is just more bureaucratic lip service.

By Ingrid Ayerinskas
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 11, 1997