By Rebekah Wells
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 21, 1997

Pedestrians pose traffic hazard

Dear Editor of Daily Wildcat:

I would like to suggest to the University that some changes be made regarding bicycles, pedestrians and skates/skateboards. The pedestrian right of way rule is dangerous. There are plenty of sidewalks and crosswalks. The right of way should be limited to those areas. Where bike lanes are marked and striped, it should be bikes only (not pedestrians or skateboards/skates).

Pedestrians do not watch out for bikes, they walk in large groups right into, across, and along the bike lanes. This is dangerous to both the pedestrian and the bicyclist, and to the more careful students who may be near when a bike swerves or screeches to a halt to avoid a tunnel-visioned, wandering pedestrian.

I am not just a complaining cyclist. I ride my bike on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and walk on Tuesday and Thursday when I have extra equipment to carry. I find it "breathtaking" to get through the rush between classes whether on feet or wheels.

As for skates and skateboards, I think they must be great fun. But, there have to be limits. NOT in the bike lanes. Maybe only on paved areas NOT marked as bike lanes and NOT on sidewalks. Perhaps large concrete surfaces could be marked with areas where skateboarding is allowed? Buildings should certainly be off limits.

If unregulated walking/wheeling is risky and frustrating for me, I feel very badly for students who are disabled and confined to wheelchairs or crutches. I also am embarrassed for visitors to the campus. Please make some wise rules and post them clearly - then by all means, enforce them rigorously.

Rebekah Wells
Fine arts sophomore