UA should spend more to support alternative transportation modes

Mr. Alan Lee completely misses the point in his response to Ingrid Ayerinskas' letter ("UA bike policy illustrates lack of commitment to alternative transportation," Feb. 11). Bicyclists understand the university's position on keeping bicycles out of buildings for safety reasons; we may not like it, but we understand. Our complaint is that Parking and Transportation has spent a fair amount of money on parking lot construction, resurfacing and striping and virtually nothing on bicycle parking here at the Arizona Health Services Center.

I have been a long-time advocate of alternate mode commuting (I was formerly the chair of UMC's Bicycle Task Force). I have watched the bicycle parking situation here at AHSC for the last five years and the only substantial changes that have occurred in that time have been the bicycle lockers and racks that were purchased by UMC for the use of their employees. For UA employees the only changes have been a few new bicycle racks, but the racks have been replacements for the older concrete base/steel posts (north of the College of Pharmacy) or replacements for bicycle parking that disappeared due to the construction at the Arizona Cancer Center.

The situation at Life Sciences North has not changed since the building was built. It is difficult to find a place to lock up a bicycle at the one rack allocated to the building, unless you arrive early. If you leave during lunch, forget about finding a place to park when you return. This situation will only worsen as temperatures get warmer and more bicyclists are competing for the same miserly number of slots at the bike rack.

The point is, Mr. Lee, that bicyclists want the university to put their money where their mouth is regarding supporting alternate forms of commuting. It's really not too much to ask that the UA provide secure bicycle parking for as many people as need it. Bicycle racks are inexpensive compared to the cost per space of owning and maintaining surface lots and parking structures. UMC, TMC, and the City of Tucson are examples of places that provide bicycle lockers to their employees on a rental basis; why not the UA?

By Doug Cromey
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 13, 1997