By Anna Meany–

Can you recall being seconds from death along these campus sidewalks? I certainly can. Every day, pedestrians take the chance of their lives as we share the walkways with reckless bicyclists.

Apart from spontaneous squirrel attacks, train derailment and low-lying planes, a serious danger exists within campus boundaries.

If you weren’t concerned about this danger before, hopefully I’ve got your attention now. All of us have experienced the terror of being surprised by a bicycle on the way to class. I’m sure, like myself, you’ve often imagined what would happen if you hadn’t stepped out of the way. How does pavement sound for lunch? Picture the bicycle flattening your body as your schoolmates cry out in horror. Even the slightest nudge would send you head first into a puddle of concrete.

What’s really embarrassing is shrieking when a bicycle whizzes past you. Add embarrassment to the list of problems that bicycling causes. It’s understood that many students ride bicycles because it reduces the amount of carbon emissions released to our atmosphere; it’s a more healthy and cost-efficient alternative to driving a car. While I’m happy that it’s a convenient and eco-friendly means of travel to class, it’s obvious that these bicyclists believe they run the world. Arrogantly, they whiz past pedestrians without any polite warning. These hippies are so concerned with helping the environment that they completely disregard human life.

The absence of any recorded injuries by bicycle is irrelevant. Some may call this extreme paranoia. But those who make fun will be totally oblivious before they encounter a determined bicyclist. Where is the care? Shouldn’t the university be taking every measure to ensure our safety? I often lay awake at night worried that the next day will be my last. It’s evident that action needs to be taken.

Establishing mandatory bells, horns or sirens is a must. Or perhaps segregating the bicyclists from us is a good suggestion; I propose some sort of elevated walkway surrounding the entire campus. It would certainly be a costly project, but well worth it. Lives will be saved. Of course, the easiest solution would be to forbid bicycles on campus. Until that day, I hope pedestrians keep aware of the eminent danger posed to them on our sidewalks.

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Photo: Nathan Gardener/The Louisville Cardinal