Students join Auburn Outdoors staff on a bicycling tour near the Blueridge Parkway.
Do you have ideas on how bicycling programs and facilities on campus might be improved? Are there things we’re already doing in relation to cycling that you appreciate? Now’s your chance to let us know!
You have until the close of business on Friday, September 18th to participate in a short 11-question survey on bicycling facilities and programs on campus. The survey is being conducted by the League of American Bicyclists to gather campus user feedback on our application to become the first university in Alabama to receive the Bicycle Friendly University designation. While the survey asks for your name and email, all results reported will be kept anonymous.
Our office worked closely with Parking Services, Campus Planning, and Campus Recreation & Wellness to complete the application, which involved an assessment of and reporting on 5 key areas: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation. We were thrilled to have so many positive things to report on, and are looking forward to using the application process and results to continue to improve and expand cycling infrastructure and programming on campus. So, please let us know how you think we’re doing now, and what you’d like to see as we continue our work to make Auburn even more bicycle friendly.
Hi,
There is a HUGE problem with on-campus bicyclists (students) speeding on sidewalks with their bikes. I personally encounter a bicyclist zooming at me, or around the corner head on, at least twice a day while walking from the Mell St. parking deck to Langdon Hall. I called Parking Services last week to complain that an announcement needs to be made to the students en mass that they are on a vehicle and pedestrians have right-of-way on pathways not designated for bikes. Someone is bound to get hurt and most likely the pedestrian, if not also the biker. I recommend that our campus security stand between the areas mentioned above and simply hand out tickets to bicyclists in order to SLOW THEM DOWN!
Meg –
You make a valid and important observation. We can’t agree more that cyclists, both on and off campus, need to be aware of the rules of the road, and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. While bicyclists on campus are allowed to ride on sidewalks 10 feet or greater (if it’s less than 10 feet they should be walking their bike), they need to mind their speed, and be sure to travel in a safe manner. In addition, pedestrians also need to be alert to their surroundings, especially when using cellphones and earbuds.
To address these types of safety issues, the university partners with the City of Auburn and Lee County each year to host the Travel with Care campaign. In fact, they are hosting a special Travel with Care campaign this week. We encourage you to stop by their booth on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday to learn more about the campaign, snag some safety gear, and to voice your specific concern to the public safety officials who will be at the booth. They may be able to provide some insight and possible solutions for the area you mention.
We hope in addition to your blog comment, and stopping by the Travel with Care booth, you’ll also consider filling out the BFU survey. We will be receiving the survey results (reported to us anonymously), and will be utilizing them to help improve the safety of cycling on campus for users of all modes.