Biking to classes popular with students
Brookings has events planned for the upcoming national Bike to Work month.
Jamie Anderson
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
With fluctuating gas prices and raised parking permit prices, more and more SDSU students are choosing to ride bicycles. Throughout May, many will celebrate National Bike to Work month.
The week of May 11 to 15 has special activities planned by the Bicycle Friendly Brookings event workgroup. Everyone is encouraged to ride their bikes wherever they go and wherever they may be during that week.
"We've promoted the event before, but this year there are community partners that are involved in it," said Sherry Oswald of Sioux River Bicycles and Fitness. "Community participation stemmed from the Bicycle Friendly Conference that was held on campus last fall. The conference was sponsored by the Students' Association and Brookings transportation board."
The activity for May 13 will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Families can ride their bikes from their homes to Hillcrest Park. They will be treated to an ice cream social and a bike safety rodeo. Bike riders of all ages are encouraged to attend.
Information will be given regarding shared lanes of traffic and recreational trails. Safety tips and information about summer bike-riding events will also be given.
"Riding bike has always been about awareness. It extends to drivers of vehicles," Oswald said. "They do have the right to be on the road and be safe. Vehicle drivers on the roads need to be aware of bikes."
The Students' Association created a plan with the city of Brookings and the university to have bike lanes both on campus and to campus. Those routes should be completed this summer, said Eric Hanson, a senior political science and business economics major and former SA vice president.
"Biking is a quick way to get across campus, especially the distance from Larson to Biostress," said junior media production major Grady Lenort. "I think having a bike at college is definitely worth it. It's very useful for getting across campus and exercise in general."
"The weather was nice most of the year, so I would either walk or ride bike," Hanson said. "If the weather wasn't good, I would work it out with my roommates and we would carpool. I didn't buy a parking pass this year."
The week of May 11 to 15 has special activities planned by the Bicycle Friendly Brookings event workgroup. Everyone is encouraged to ride their bikes wherever they go and wherever they may be during that week.
"We've promoted the event before, but this year there are community partners that are involved in it," said Sherry Oswald of Sioux River Bicycles and Fitness. "Community participation stemmed from the Bicycle Friendly Conference that was held on campus last fall. The conference was sponsored by the Students' Association and Brookings transportation board."
The activity for May 13 will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Families can ride their bikes from their homes to Hillcrest Park. They will be treated to an ice cream social and a bike safety rodeo. Bike riders of all ages are encouraged to attend.
Information will be given regarding shared lanes of traffic and recreational trails. Safety tips and information about summer bike-riding events will also be given.
"Riding bike has always been about awareness. It extends to drivers of vehicles," Oswald said. "They do have the right to be on the road and be safe. Vehicle drivers on the roads need to be aware of bikes."
The Students' Association created a plan with the city of Brookings and the university to have bike lanes both on campus and to campus. Those routes should be completed this summer, said Eric Hanson, a senior political science and business economics major and former SA vice president.
"Biking is a quick way to get across campus, especially the distance from Larson to Biostress," said junior media production major Grady Lenort. "I think having a bike at college is definitely worth it. It's very useful for getting across campus and exercise in general."
"The weather was nice most of the year, so I would either walk or ride bike," Hanson said. "If the weather wasn't good, I would work it out with my roommates and we would carpool. I didn't buy a parking pass this year."
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