It is a bright, sunny day. You and your friend are walking across the bridge, talking about the exam you both just took. Suddenly, an electric scooter passes between you two at max speed with no warning. As someone who lives and walks everywhere on campus, this scenario happened to me on multiple occasions. It is only a matter of time before there is an incident where someone will get hurt on the sidewalk or the road. Sidewalks on campus are already too small, so ULM should make a special lane for bike and scooter users.
Senior pre-pharmacy major Katelyn Smith discusses how ULM sidewalks do not have a lot of room for pedestrians and students with faster forms of transportation.
“The sidewalks are already too crowded with people walking to and from places across campus,” Smith said. “Adding a special lane for bikes and scooters would prevent further congestion on the sidewalks, which are made specifically for people to walk.”
A special lane for bikes and scooters will offer total segregation from traffic, providing users with a safe and secure space. They could also provide a more relaxed and comfortable travel experience, especially in congested urban areas.
However, a separate lane will require the width of roads to be extended and can create conflicts with pedestrians and vehicles, such as increasing the distance pedestrians need to cross. It could also potentially create merging points where vehicles from different lanes need to maneuver close to pedestrians, which increases the risk of collisions.
Junior toxicology major Brooke Barrett argues that the pros of having a separate lane for bikes and scooters outweigh the cons.
“A special lane is a good compromise between pedestrians, scooter users and cyclists,” Barrett said. “Scooters do not have to dodge people on the sidewalk and pedestrians do not have to worry about being hit.”
Research shows that a bike and scooter lane can increase safety for cyclists, pedestrians and all road users. According to PeopleForBikes, an organization that works to improve biking in the United States, 96% of people using protected bike lanes believe they increase safety on the street.
Senior biology major Agnes Ugokwe considers how a special lane for bike and scooter users would be safer for everyone.
“I would not have to worry about them almost running me and other students over on the sidewalk,” Ugokwe said. “A special lane would also keep them safe on the road from vehicles and other oncoming traffic.”
Bike lanes create designated spaces just for cyclists and scooter users, which will reduce the risk of vehicle collisions. These lanes can also reduce the space needed for motor vehicles, making it safer for pedestrians to cross the street. Additionally, protected bike lanes can help reduce motor vehicle speeding.
As campus safety becomes a growing concern, it is time for ULM to consider implementing bike and scooter lanes to improve travel safety for everyone on campus.
