SMCM Bike-Sharing Program

[therfactor]

Hey Everyone.

I recently wrote an editorial about the potential bike-sharing program in the Point News. My article is against the implementation of the program. Please read the article for more details (in the most recent Point News, and I will link it at the bottom of this entry).

I emailed President O'Brien about the issue, and we are going to be

Comments

[cdelphine]

I agree that the program isn't really necessary at st.mary's. Like you said, the longest possible walk is 20 minutes, not really a big hassle. And I don't think that people who normally drive to class would bike if that option is available. It seems that it would be a lot more complicated and costly to implement the program than the benefits that could be derived.

[gspaz]

great arguments. As an alum, I am behind you!

[marathoner452]

Me too. I brought a bike to campus with me as a freshman, used it maybe half a dozen times, then found it too inconvenient. The time spent retrieving it and unlocking it, then locking it back up when I got to class, negated any time savings over walking.

I agree with the eliminating further construction argument too. I just graduated in 2005 and I can't remember a year I was there, or a year since when I've gone back to visit, that there wasn't some major construction project going on.

[ensign_amazing]

This post is all I know about this bike-sharing thing. What is it? Is it just putting a bunch of communal bikes on campus for students to use? If this is the case, just because SMC isn't Rennes, why is it a bad thing? If not, what is the key detail I'm missing that makes this bike-sharing thing so awful?

Also, don't tell the reader that your argument is sound. If it is sound then it rests on its own merits. If you inform the reader your argument is sound, you come off as arrogant.

[therfactor]

Everything I know about the bike program is from two articles in the previous Point News to my editorial - I would try to get your hands on a copy of that, as I believe it is the only detailed information about the program that has been available for the entire student population.

[ensign_amazing]

http://www.smcm.edu/PointNews/ is not helpy. As an alum with no access to print edition, could someone summarize the program for me? Pretty please?

[toxicpuce]

St. Mary's isn't about "necessity." If St. Mary's only did what was "necessary" you probably wouldn't have a lot of the things provided to you there. I would steer away from that argument if i were you. Also, if you have back to back classes in Monty and Kent, that bike is pretty necessary.

[therfactor]

I only bring up the idea of "necessity", because those who are for the implementation of the program are claiming that this is the next necessary step towards a green campus, where I believe the program is not as environmentally sound as they suggest, and that the benefits will not outweigh the impact.

I've been collecting other opinions about the social impact of this kind of program - because President O'Brien (in emails with me and in the Point News) has really put a focus on St. Mary's benefiting from the "bike culture". I'd love to know what you guys think of that as well.

[lizz612]

I'm a recent alum and I rode my bike on campus a lot my senior year. I found it useful when going back to WC from Scheffer at 1 am. It wasn't useful during passing, but anytime outside those 10 minutes between classes, it was fine. I also took a class at Madison in summer 06 where a bike was critical to getting around. But Madison has real streets, bike lanes and over 20 times more students.

I know the people that helped with the Ride Share program in 06-07. I even helped a little myself. It was sad to see the bikes shoved in the pond. But its also sad to see young trees get torn by drunk monkeys. There is a larger issue of respect under all this that is just as important as the "green" campus initiative.

That said, if Maggie wants it, Maggie's gonna get it. Just ask those two gorgeous Magnolia trees out front of Calvert... :o Oh wait....

[therfactor]

I feel exactly what you are saying when you say "If Maggie wants it, Maggie's gonna get it." Which is why when I meet with her, I am not going to go in there with the attitude of "Please convince me". I am figuring that she expects me to become convinced, and I won't.

I mentioned in my editorial my disappointment in hearing about this program so late in the game, and (along with the rest of the student body) not being informed about this type of program (especially in light of what happened last time) early enough to feel like we could really make an impact. I have my hopes though, and I'm going to say everything I feel to Maggie because I mean, if she's going to make time for face time with students, it should be honest.