Dear Editor,
I guess I’ll have to admit that I must be one of the ‘nitwits’ that Marjorie Gyles talks about in her previous letter.
I forgo my car and ride my bike a mile to class every day, cutting my commute from a half hour of walking to a quick 15 minutes (and that’s without going any faster then a leisurely pace).
I try my best to avoid pedestrians and, whenever possible, I cut through the grass to avoid a thicket of walking students. I’ll admit, I’ve almost hit one or two, but it was only because they overthought the situation and tried to leap out of my way, making avoidance complicated.
In my mind I realized that I am larger than you and will avoid you since I’m moving faster. Sometimes it’s difficult, though. I’ve come into contact with a few hidden potholes and flipped my bike once.
Now when it comes to the main point, I refuse to ride my bike on the roadways. My bicycle is less visible on the road, I probably almost get hit by a car on average six times a day when I do try to utilize the blacktop, while I can count the times I’ve almost hit a pedestrian this semester on one hand.
My girlfriend’s co-worker was even hit by a car driving to work, he was tossed over the hood unharmed, thankfully, but the driver just continued on his way not even stopping to check if he was hurt.
I can’t help but say, that even if I’m forbidden to ride on the sidewalk I will continue to do so because my own safety takes priority over whatever the parking authority says.
Not to mention most of the bike racks are situated behind buildings and can only be accessed by riding on the sidewalks.
-Paul Loher

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