The Truman State Department of Public Safety issued multiple warnings to students for chaining bicycles to objects other than bike racks during early September.
Several students objected to the citations at the Student Government meeting on Sept. 27 due to claims of overcrowded bike racks resulting in a lack of adequate space. Senior Aaron Gershman brought the issue to light after his bike was given three warnings by DPS. He expressed his disappointment about the lack of available locking spaces in a Facebook post.
“This isn’t a problem you can solve with tickets. It’s obnoxious, and sometimes downright impossible to cram your bike into a rack that’s already overfilled.”
– Senior Aaron Gersham
Gershman says he has emailed DPS asking for more racks on campus, especially in the areas that get heavy traffic such as the library. He appreciated the response he received, but still feels that the issue merits more review.
“I’m not upset with DPS — I don’t think anyone should be,” he says. “Maybe there should be a reappropriation of [unused] racks to more popular spots.”
At the meeting, many Student Government members agreed that there is a shortage of racks on campus. Freshman Donald Rabin says that his bike has been damaged due to the conditions of the bike racks. Rabin says this resulted in the bike flipping forward and him falling off of the bike.
“My bike had fallen over so many times when it was on the bike rack and there was an issue and my tire had fallen off completely,” Rabin says.
Director of Public Safety Sara Holzmeier says she recognizes that there are not enough racks for students.
“I guess until it was a little too late [and] we hadn’t realized how bad the problem was,” Holzmeier says. “But now we’re hoping with the students’ cooperation we’re hoping to rectify that.”
She says that DPS is working with the Physical Plant to solve this problem. A bike rack has been added in front of McClain Hall and with the recent opening of the Mall, more racks have opened up near the SUB.
“We’re hoping that will alleviate all the problems on campus,” Holzmeier says. “If it doesn’t, we’re open to reevaluating and looking to trying to meet the need of the students.”