Inside Iowa State

June 22, 2005

Share your thoughts about bicycles on campus

by Anne Krapfl

Iowa State's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) wants to receive your thoughts about bicycles on campus. Whether it's a suggestion, compliment, question or complaint - and whether you're writing as a cyclist, pedestrian or motorist -- you're invited to share it. The committee has set up a special e-mail address to take your comments, bikes@iastate.edu. Comments will be accepted through early fall. Members of the committee will use the information received to develop a plan for the best use of bicycle resources in the future.

"The more information we can gather, from riders and others, the more likely our investment will address real issues," said Doug Houghton, manager of the parking division in the department of public safety. Houghton is an ex-officio member of TAC.

Growth years

The 1990s was a period of growth in bike paths, signage and parking areas on campus, Houghton said. That successful growth period, coupled with tighter budgets, led to a decline in bicycle improvements by the early 2000s.

He also noted that enforcement of bicycle regulations, including bike parking, has been more successful in recent years, due both to a trained bicycle patrol unit and a more directed effort. As a result, the number of bicycles impounded for violations has decreased over the last 10 years.

Houghton said the parking division still spends $15,000 to $20,000 annually on bicycle-related projects and maintenance. (This doesn't include bike parking components on new building projects.)

"We believe that we now are meeting the basic access and parking needs for bikes. As we evaluate how we spend money on bike-related projects, we want to be sure to target the areas of greatest concern to the campus community," Houghton said. "Those concerns may be different for bicyclists, pedestrians and vehicle drivers. In fact, sometimes those concerns will be in conflict."

Iowa State community members also can submit ideas and comments on bicycles by phone (4-8900) or campus mail (Bicycle Comments, DPS Parking Division, 27 Armory).

The Transportation Advisory Committee reviews all transportation and parking issues on campus and makes recommendations to the vice president for business and finance.

The Transportation Advisory Committee will take comments about bicycles on campus through early fall. The information it receives will be used to develop a plan to use future bicycle resources. Mail comments to bikes@iastate.edu.