Cyclists looking for better facilities

Improved bicycle facilities on campus would encourage more people to bike to work and help reduce both traffic and pollution, according to a survey commissioned by the President's Environmental Advisory Committee (PEAC).

Under way since late March, the survey has generated 61 responses to date, and is still open on the Web site. The effort is being headed up by Rob Loney of Trentıs environmental and resource studies program.

Seventy per cent of respondents ride their bikes to Trent regularly, once or several times a week, and the most common trip length is five to 10 kilometres each way.

By far the majority of riders (81 per cent) arrive on campus via the Rotary Trail, and most riders (83 per cent) use a bike lock or chain to secure their vehicles once on campus.

When it comes to favorite parking spots, 36 per cent opt for a bicycle rack outside, 32 per cent choose a railing, tree, or other object and 21 per cent bring their bikes inside their offices. Most of those bringing their bikes inside do so because they feel the outside racks are not secure, and don't provide protection from the weather.

The survey asked respondents to list the most important characteristics for new outside parking areas. Most wanted secure racks at several convenient locations with enough spaces to accommodate all the bicycles. Seventy-two per cent wanted the facilities covered to protect from severe weather.

Only 32 per cent of respondents said they would be willing to pay a small amount of money to accommodate secure, improved bicycle parking, while 55 per cent said no.

However, 81 per cent wanted to see an increase in the amount of money spent to promote bicycle transportation as an alternative to other forms of transportation to and from Trent.

Some of the suggestions and comments included with the survey were:

• Bicycling needs to be better advertised and encouraged, especially with bike path
• Any fee could not be more than $5 and the facilities would have to protect the bikes from weather/theft very well
• Increase car-parking fines. Use proceeds to promote bicycling, public transit
• Nice to have separate bridge for bicycles across canal
• Security and protection from elements are important
• Maps to show students safe routes to campus
• Provide change rooms that could be used year round
• Nassau-West Bank intersection not safe for bicyclists; needs to be improved
• Most bike racks are in bad shape and can be broken by hand to allow theft of bikes
• Promotions such as 'bike to school' day to encourage more people to try biking
• Racks should be better located; not up or down stairs
• Every bike used is one less car and clearer air

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