After reading Chelsea Gunter’s “He said, She Said” column on things that annoy her, “Bikers must back-off, and boys must conjure up new pick-up lines” (CT, Oct. 1), I had the immediate urge to write this response out of my annoyance about her ignorance about most everything she wrote about — particularly her views on cyclists.
Chelsea “loathing” cyclists seems to be an egocentric response to the inconvenience of walking on a crowded campus. Biking to campus, as well as elsewhere, is the best form of alternative transportation students in Blacksburg can practice.
After reading the Virginia Tech policy on biking, Chelsea would have learned “Tech promotes the use of bicycles and personal transportation devices as forms of alternative transportation which enhances the University’s goals for a more sustainable campus.”
Furthermore, the university’s policy states, “Bicycles are permitted on all roadways, as well as concrete and asphalt pathways, grass and sidewalks.” Therefore, Chelsea, the sidewalk is not yours, as you mistakenly believe. Rather it must be shared by all other students, staff and visitors, whether they travel by foot, bike or wheelchair.
Prior to complaining about cyclists, Chelsea makes a point to note her annoyance of the crowded buses of the Blacksburg Transit. These buses would be much more crowded if us cyclists stopped our active, sustainable form of transportation and took the bus like you. Although I respect that Chelsea has the right to complain about opposing ideas, to print such a hypocritical and ignorant column complaining about a great, healthy and sustainable lifestyle in the CT was definitely offensive to this reader.
Amanda Meighan
junior English major
A version of this article appeared in the Oct 6 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Its great when they actually share. Over my 4 years at tech I saw too many bicyclists listening to their iPods and literally run right into pedestrians.
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I believe the point behind her raging against bikes isn't so much that foot traffic is all that's allowed on the sidewalks, but more that people on bikes tend to be less considerate to those on foot, and that using the bike lanes and roads is a much safer option for both bikes and foot traffic during rush times (IE between classes.)
It almost seems foolish to try and bike down a sidewalk that is crowded then there's a roadway just to the side. I'm all for biking as a form of sustainability, but i don't have to think twice about a choice between a sidewalk full of people and a roadway not quite as packed with cars.
But that's just me.
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