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Pedestrians merit respect

To the editor,

You nearly ran into me today. You probably don't even know who you are. You are the bicycling predator who zips around campus oblivious to the fact that many of the obstacles you dodge are actually people. You are in a hurry, probably late to class.

I have been a full-time student at the UA for longer than I care to admit. I have been here, then gone, then here again. I have walked, biked and driven a car. I have lived on and off campus. I have seen a number of problems on campus, few of which are ever fixed to everyone's contentment. I, like many, often ride a bike to campus. Not only is it transportation, but it makes me feel good to help alleviate the overcrowded parking problem and save my small piece of the environment. However, once on campus, I consider myself a pedestrian. Having said this, I often feel my fellow students are thoughtless and rude. People stop, stand, congregate and linger, and it seems this occurs most often in doorways and stairwells and narrow passages. Though thoughtless, these indiscretions are inconvenient, but not harmful. Many bicyclists, however, are note merely selfishly thoughtless, but recklessly dangerous. Yes, I have seen people hurt.

This is not to say that all bicyclists are thoughtless, many are not. There are enough, however, that do have this recurring dream. I am standing in one of the most congested areas of campus (usually between the Administration and Modern Languages buildings) wielding a seven iron like a Samurai warrior and I "fix" the rude bicycle problem rider by rider.

Alas, though it does warm my heart, this is just a dream. For I know it is best to defeat thoughtlessness with kindness. I smile my way across campus and conquer crowded passages with a cheerful "pardon me" and a quick side step. I ride my bike along the route less traveled, park my bike and walk to my classes. I smile as I walk, because with new construction and thousands of students surrounding me, I do my best to play nicely with the other kids and be a good citizen. No matter what I do, I know someone else is probably mad because I am in their way too. So, to all frustrated travelers about campus who are unsure "how to get from class to class freely," I hope you understand that very little in life is free-the true answer is as either an understanding and courteous rider, or as a thoughtful and smiling pedestrian.

Gregory Gaines

Chemistry senior