Texas A&M has drafted a proposal for a Bicycle User Registration program that will require a permit to use bicycle facilities on campus (presumably bike racks…we’re giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming they don’t require one just to ride your bike on campus).
If you ever wanted to discourage people in riding bikes, here’s how you do it:  Charge them to ride and lock their bike up on campus.
The program, to its credit, is proposed to alleviate congestion, which we’ll assume means cyclists that lock their bikes to items that cause pedestrian traffic to bottleneck, by allowing campus enforcers to fine the owner of the bicycle for improper use.  They also claim it’ll help return a stolen bike to the rightful owner.  Maybe, but don’t charge for the service…just make the permits free and have some coffee and donuts available while people are waiting in line.  Heck, maybe Urban Velo or Bicycle Times could even donate some free issues to be handed out with every permit with a coupon for a local bike shop or a Planet Bike blinky light or something.  Make the students feel rewarded for riding instead of driving…now that’s a novel concept.
Have other ideas?  Email them to Logan Nichols, Student Senate.
