COLUMN: Terror on two wheels
Biking has always been one of my passions in life.
Many of my fondest memories have come while on two wheels. I have spent many hours on busy roads, taking part in annual bike tours with my family and summer nights spent biking around my hometown of Alma. Biking has always been a part of my life.
Then, I came to college.
I thought having a bike would be too much of a hassle. There were too many dangers to have one on campus. My bike could be vandalized or stolen – and what was I to do when December arrives and I wake up to find three inches of snow on the ground? The past two years, I missed the convenience and ease of a bike, as well as the joy I experience from riding.
This year, I had finally had enough. My apartment complex was just far enough away from campus that having a bike was practical and I couldn’t bear to not take advantage of the last of the warm weather without it.
During August, my first month up here, biking was a dream. I was able to navigate roads safely and enjoy riding in its purest form.
September was a different story.
The influx of students made every trip a nightmare. Cars crept into bike lanes, I had to yell at motorists to avoid being run over and I was involved in a hit and run at the corner of Washington and Broomfield just a month ago.
Thankfully, I wasn’t hurt too badly and my bike had only minor damage, but the accident marked the first time I had fallen while riding in the past four years and the first time I had to go to an emergency room.
Now, for the first time in my life, I’m wondering if biking on campus is even worth it. Sure, there are a small percentage of accidents, but I have never been so frightened to ride. Maybe I have grown too accustomed to the easy riding in Alma.
Many people from my hometown understand a biker has the right to ride in traffic. They also give them the necessary space and attention so accidents, like mine, don’t occur. Here, that knowledge seems to be lacking.
So, for all us bikers at Central Michigan University, I say this to motorists:
We know we have our own lane, but that doesn’t mean we have enough space. We know we don’t always make the smartest decisions while riding and all the blame isn’t on you. We know we are not as big as cars and are sometimes hard to spot, but please give us a break. We are just trying to get to class. So give us some space, check your mirrors twice and share the road, and we will do the same.
