October 7, 2008

More bicycle racks being placed on Purdue campus to meet demand

The number of bicycles on campus has gone up 45 percent this fall, says Don Staley, senior landscape architect with the Office of the University Architect. He said that kind of increase is "unprecedented" at Purdue.

Staley said each semester the campus planning staff counts bicycles parked on campus during peak hours. The number of bicycles declined steadily from 2,400 in 1998 to 1,300 last fall, he said, when only 34 percent of campus bike racks were in use. Now 56 percent of the bicycle racks are in use.

Staley said that demand for parking exceeds bicycle rack capacity in some areas on campus. Physical Facilities is putting additional bicycle racks in these areas to increase capacity about 25 percent above measured demand, he said.

Staley offered the following tips for campus bicycle riders:

* Be sure to park your bicycle at a bike rack. Each U-shaped rack is designed to accommodate two bicycles, one on each side. Freestanding temporary racks can hold from seven to 12 bikes each, depending on size.

* When you encounter a full bicycle rack, move to a nearby rack with available space. There are plenty across campus within walking distance of your destination, Staley said.

* Do not lock your bicycle to a tree, handrail, signpost or any other object. If the bicycle is an obstruction to a building entry, sidewalk or presents a safety issue in any way, the Purdue Police Department will cut the bicycle loose and hold it for safekeeping until the owner picks it up.

Writer: Greg McClure, (765) 494-9394, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Source: Don Staley, (765) 494-3424, djstaley@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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