Lisle View From a Bicycle
Lina Savickas
Issue date: 2/2/10 Section: Opinion
When a bike rider decides to leave the safety offered by trails and enter the realm of suburban traffic, he entrusts his life to his own caution and any motorists that he may encounter.
The Village of Lisle provides a nice network of bike trails, through several parks scattered throughout the town, offering any recreational cyclists a chance to escape into nature. However, those who bicycle as a form of transportation do not find a leisurely escape but instead a dangerous commute.
Josh Potter, Village Planner of Lisle, rated the town's bike-friendliness "fair, if not poor." With the congestion of Lisle's major streets and the lack of proper bike lanes, the town does not appropriately accommodate commuting bicyclists.
Chief of Benedictine University Police, Mike Salatino voiced his concerns about the dangers involved with sharing the roads with cars.
"Bike-riding to campus could be potentially hazardous," he said. "I personally would [warn] bike-riders to use extreme caution."
Salatino explained that when a bicyclist chooses to ride alongside cars, trucks and buses, "somebody loses if there's contact."
Oftentimes, commuting cyclists must find creative ways to get to their destinations so they can avoid busy and heavily trafficked areas.
"[Bicycling] through town, you've got to be creative," said Lisle's Director of Parks and Recreation Dan Garvy, pointing out the need for bike-riders to find a good combination of safe roads to get to their destinations.
Brian Miller, Manager of local bike shop Bicycles Etc., also advised cycling commuters to get around using side streets.
Dr. Jean-Marie Kauth, Writing Director and Assistant Professor at BU, rides her bike to campus once a week, weather permitting. Her way of avoiding risky road situations?
"I just ride on the sidewalk," she said. "It may be illegal, but it's better than being killed."
Even Potter admitted that sometimes bicyclists have no choice but to ride on the sidewalks.
The Village of Lisle provides a nice network of bike trails, through several parks scattered throughout the town, offering any recreational cyclists a chance to escape into nature. However, those who bicycle as a form of transportation do not find a leisurely escape but instead a dangerous commute.
Josh Potter, Village Planner of Lisle, rated the town's bike-friendliness "fair, if not poor." With the congestion of Lisle's major streets and the lack of proper bike lanes, the town does not appropriately accommodate commuting bicyclists.
Chief of Benedictine University Police, Mike Salatino voiced his concerns about the dangers involved with sharing the roads with cars.
"Bike-riding to campus could be potentially hazardous," he said. "I personally would [warn] bike-riders to use extreme caution."
Salatino explained that when a bicyclist chooses to ride alongside cars, trucks and buses, "somebody loses if there's contact."
Oftentimes, commuting cyclists must find creative ways to get to their destinations so they can avoid busy and heavily trafficked areas.
"[Bicycling] through town, you've got to be creative," said Lisle's Director of Parks and Recreation Dan Garvy, pointing out the need for bike-riders to find a good combination of safe roads to get to their destinations.
Brian Miller, Manager of local bike shop Bicycles Etc., also advised cycling commuters to get around using side streets.
Dr. Jean-Marie Kauth, Writing Director and Assistant Professor at BU, rides her bike to campus once a week, weather permitting. Her way of avoiding risky road situations?
"I just ride on the sidewalk," she said. "It may be illegal, but it's better than being killed."
Even Potter admitted that sometimes bicyclists have no choice but to ride on the sidewalks.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Nick Barberini
posted 2/03/10 @ 4:45 PM CST
This is a great idea but can someone please explain to me why the bicycle racks are on the lower level of Krasa...that doesn't make any sense.
Lina Savickas
posted 2/12/10 @ 4:21 PM CST
The bicycle racks in the lower level of Krasa are probably for storing the bikes for the Ben Bike Project. Since the program will (in part) be run by Student Activities, it would make sense that the bikes are stored near the office. (Continued…)
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