A Letter To The Campus Bikers | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

A Letter To The Campus Bikers

An open letter to students who bike on campus from the ones who walk.

85
A Letter To The Campus Bikers

To all the students who ride bikes around campus,

As a walker around campus and after almost being T-boned by one of you a few days ago, while (legally) crossing the street at a crosswalk, I felt this was necessary to inform you all what walkers think about you. Yes, we understand the U is a big campus along with many other universities. College is all about efficiency, but some of the things you all do are just unnecessary and downright rude. Almost running into us, not following the rules of the road, speeding past us out of nowhere, and cutting us off are just a few examples of the most common encounters I have with you all throughout a school day. If you have ever gotten looks from walkers that scream "We don't like you," it's probably because you did something ignorant that you might not have even noticed, but we did.

Yes, we understand that having a bike means you don't need to take double the time it takes us to get to class, which means an extra 10 more minutes of sleep or finishing up on your homework that you didn't do. We understand you love biking right past us and grin with satisfaction. But, if you start to be more of an aggressive biker than the actual drivers on campus and almost hit one of your fellow students on your way to class, you might make more enemies than you would think.

Do I agree with you that more often than not the actions of walkers on campus coincide with those I am calling you all out for? Yes, I do agree. We jaywalk almost constantly, making your job as a biker to not run us over a little bit more difficult. We come out of nowhere sometimes, walking through hidden streets and acting as complete hazards. But all in all, taking on the responsibility of being a biker comes with the obligation to watch out for us as pedestrians.

A simple suggestion, from us walkers to you bikers, is to be considerate of your classmates who aren't as fortunate to have the luxury of a bike on campus. Just because you are riding on two wheels instead of four, a red light is a red light. With the insane amount of people walking around campus and crossing streets all day long, you're bound to hit someone eventually. That wouldn't be good for anyone. Although biking is such a simple task as we have all been riding bikes since our early childhood, there are many things that can go wrong. Winter bringing icy roads, a few thousand students always walking to class, and inconsiderate bikers does not sound like an equation with a favorable outcome. With more consideration and simple biking etiquette, the University of Minnesota's campus along with many other college campuses will not only be more manageable, but safer as well.

Sincerely,

The walkers on campus

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187319
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13030
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456469
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25751
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments