Venturing around campus, I see people get hit or nearly hit almost every day. The signs painted on ASU's concrete command "yield to pedestrians," however, cyclists are the real dictators of traffic. Riders maneuvering through campus show that there is a "move or be hit" mentality, and cyclists think they have the right of way just because they are going faster than everyone else.
There is a feeling of superiority among bikers; they think they can ride as fast and dangerously as they want. Often times, speed demons weaving through the hordes don't mind the safety of pedestrians seeking to make it to class unscathed.
Last Thursday, I was walking back from the gym and I spotted a former roommate. We talked for a few moments, and next thing I know, a group of bikers zip by at an outrageous speed, clipping my side and sending me into a shock of pain and cyclophobia that I have yet to recover from.
I'm happy that bikers commute sustainably, but the manner in which they ride needs some work. Oftentimes, I see cyclists in the outskirts of campus riding on the sidewalk literally right next to a bike lane where they are supposed to be.
I'm sure I'm not the only one that contemplates throwing a stick in their wheel for this blatant disregard of the rules of biking. Please, just ride in the bike lane, pedestrians would really appreciate it.
Thank goodness that there are walk-only zones. The amount of accidents on campus have drastically reduced since the plan's inception on Aug. 1, 2013. Still, they aren't enough. Last week, I saw two bikes bash into each other as they attempted to navigate through grips of students. My first reaction was to check they were OK and uninjured, but a little part of me felt they deserved it for the absurd speed they were traveling at and the dangerous maneuvers they were performing.
Every biker should have to receive a license from the ASU Parking and Transit Services. In acquiring said license, they should take a course on the rules that govern biking. This would drastically reduce the amount of accidents and dangerous maneuvers on campus, because most people probably haven't taken a course like that in the first place. The DMV inculcates a level of seriousness with driving, and ASU should do the same. Countless people have been trucked over, had their toes crushed and have been nailed unexpectedly from riders going way too fast.
Not all bikers are at fault though and I want to emphasize this. I commend all cyclists that travel at a safe speed and ride courteously when biking around campus. A special shout out goes those bikers that utilize the bike lanes whenever possible and ride slowly and safely. In the words of Kevin Durant, "You the real MVP."
Related Links:
Grid Bike Share launches in Phoenix after delays
Bike culture continues to thrive
Reach the columnist at gpaulsoccer@yahoo.com or follow @GrahamASUpress on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
Want to join the conversation? Send an email to opiniondesk.statepress@gmail.com. Keep letters under 300 words and be sure to include your university affiliation. Anonymity will not be granted.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.
