Commuting around campus is pretty easy. The paths are wonderful. My problem is at certain times of the day these sidewalks are choked with the biomass of students ebbing and flowing between the buildings. Like many other students who are impatient and prefer a faster method of travel, this poses a problem. Bicycles are efficient and maneuverable, but even with brakes, crashes can occur.

I ride a longboard, and it’s a great way to get around the campus, and Platteville in general. The topic of stopping is an issue. I use my foot to footbrake and other methods to slow down and stop. My boards are all over 30 inches long, and are agile enough to slalom around other students as they walk to class. These students are not orange static cones, they are people that move. I can carve all I want around them, but if there is a wall of bodies I have to stop all my momentum.

I propose that non-walking commuters have their own lane or path so that collisions are even less likely to happen. Though we are a small population compared to the walkers on campus, we should still have a safe path to travel on. New paths around campus would not necessarily need to be constructed. The existing paths would just need a designated side, or markings, to show the bike lane. The paths that surround campus, such as the back side of the Disc Golf course, may also be paved to allow boards and roller blades to travel them — not just bikes.

This is a beautiful campus with many wonderful paths, I and many others would love to enjoy them while upon our chosen method of transportation. Maybe the issue of the sidewalks, pedestrian safety and walking paths around campus can be discussed at an official meeting with the proper authorities.