Living Car Free - The Velorution

The Velorution (http://www.ripon.edu/velorution/index.html)

Good for them! It might be amusing to see the protests that will undoubtedly result from this. Is this new?

Good for them! It might be amusing to see the protests that will undoubtedly result from this. Is this new?

I know of several other college campuses that have done similar things. UNCG is one that comes to mind. They haven't gone to the extent that Ripon has in closing off the entire campus, but they did close several of the smaller roads the crossed the campus. I like the concept of giving all incoming freshmen a bicycle if they sign an agreement. Wonder what kind of bike:p

Aaron:)

Wonder what kind of bike? :p

Aaron:)

"Students who sign the Velorution Project pledge will receive a brand new 2007 model Trek 820 mountain bike."

"Students who sign the Velorution Project pledge will receive a brand new 2007 model Trek 820 mountain bike."

The only thing I'd change about the bike would be to have it come equipped with fenders and racks.

I think it's a wonderful idea to close off the campus to car traffic, and an even more wonderful idea to bribe incoming freshmen with bikes. Who's paying for the bikes, though?

(BTW, haven't most college campuses been at least partially unfriendly to car use for a couple of decades now? I can remember when I was at the U of CO in the late 1980's, hardly any students used cars to get to and from school because it was too expensive, too slow compared to other types of transport, and nearly impossible to find a place to park. )

(BTW, haven't most college campuses been at least partially unfriendly to car use for a couple of decades now?

The university in my town consist almost entirely of wealthy kids who's parents bought them a brand new car as a high school graduation present, and as a result the campus is more parking lot than school. And from what I've seen most of them think a 15 mph speed limit means you're not allowed to go under 15 mph. It's a dangerous place to ride or walk when class is in session.

EVERYONE at my school had a car. The student population was about 75% commuters, yet most residents had cars on campus as well, until a few years ago when they stopped allowing freshmen resident students to bring cars to campus.

EVERYONE complained about parking; our student newspaper probably got a half dozen letters to the editor each week from motorists who were tired of having to walk a half-mile to class.

The best part: there's a commuter rail stop on campus.

Sounds like a great idea.

East Hill

The school where I did my undergraduate work had a rule that if you were on financial aid you were not allowed to have a car on campus unless you could come up with a good reason for it.

I always thought campuses were the stupidest places to have a lot of cars.

I always thought campuses were the stupidest places to have a lot of cars.

Especially residential campuses where most of the students were full-time. A commuter campus with lots of part-time students is another matter, although such a school should be well-served by the local public transit system.

Now, the poster who thought that there would be protests--why? The program is voluntary.

The university in my town consist almost entirely of wealthy kids who's parents bought them a brand new car as a high school graduation present, and as a result the campus is more parking lot than school. And from what I've seen most of them think a 15 mph speed limit means you're not allowed to go under 15 mph. It's a dangerous place to ride or walk when class is in session.

Reason 548 why you should think of moving...it sounds like you live in the least bike friendly town in America.

Hell...come to Canada and we can build bikes.

i'm trying to get people on my campus to embrace riding bikes. but this is texas folks, we drive from building to building. it's a challenge, but one bike at a time. i sent the ripon website to my dean, i've been pushing for a bike co-op here for a while now. we're in a small town, everyone could and should be on a bike here. but the campus plan is for more parking lots near campus...what we need is solar panels and green spaces... ah, the life of the mind...

. we're in a small town, everyone could and should be on a bike here.

Everyone? Even the elderly and handicapped? Even people who have to carry a lot of supplies/equipment? Even those who have to transport animals and/or small children?

Everyone? Even the elderly and handicapped? Even people who have to carry a lot of supplies/equipment? Even those who have to transport animals and/or small children?

okay elkhound, not everyone. not the blind, not people who are missing both legs, missing both legs and an arm. or two. but most people elkhound, most. sorry for the excessive enthusiasm. the majority of able-bodied men and women who drive cars less than 5 miles to work or school could and should ride a bike. in my opinion. biking should be the first choice when it comes to riding less than five miles to work, here, in my little town. in my opinion many people can and should ride instead of drive. maybe then even the elderly would be in better shape, men and women in their eighties can and should ride if they can, and my guess is that if they do it when they're young they'll stay younger longer and be in better shape when they're older. :rolleyes:

okay elkhound, not everyone. not the blind, not people who are missing both legs, missing both legs and an arm. or two. but most people elkhound, most. sorry for the excessive enthusiasm. the majority of able-bodied men and women who drive cars less than 5 miles to work or school could and should ride a bike. in my opinion. biking should be the first choice when it comes to riding less than five miles to work, here, in my little town. in my opinion many people can and should ride instead of drive. maybe then even the elderly would be in better shape, men and women in their eighties can and should ride if they can, and my guess is that if they do it when they're young they'll stay younger longer and be in better shape when they're older. :rolleyes:

I'd also put in those who must transport bulky or heavy items. There are things too large or heavy to transport by cycle unless one has a very specialized machine, and some things are too large even to transport any sort of distance by human power. (For example, I recently had a cast iron woodstove delivered to my house. By truck. How could one transport that by bike? Perhaps with a Bikes-at-Work trailer or a Cycles Maximus cargo trike, but even those would have been hard! And, when I moved in, one of the things I moved was a grand piano; how do you propose that I have moved that by bicycle?)

And what about people with babies and small children? Child seats and trailers are only for babies who are old enough to hold their heads up. And even if the children are older, there are only so many one can put on one bike.

The last couple of years of my late father's life, the main thing I used the car for was to take him to the doctor and on other errands. He never learned how to ride a bike, and even if he had the last few years he would have been incapable of doing so. If you think I would have put an Altzheimer's patient with a fractured pelvis and a bad heart on the snapdeck of my Xtracycle, you've got another think coming! Moreover, for certain services he had to go to the VA Hospital in Huntington, which is about 50 miles away.

I'm lucky that the veterenarian's office is within walking distance, so I can use one of these (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+2053+16180&pcatid=16180), but if it were farther away, I don't know how I'd get the cat there without a car. I know that there are pet trailers, but I think that the experience would be very stressful for him, particularly if he were already sick or injured.

Finally, there are parts of town which are simply inaccessible by bicycle. Charleston is located in a narrow, deep river valley; while much of the town is down on the flats, a great deal of the residential neighborhoods--and no few of the business districts--are perched up on the hillsides, hills so steep that some cars labor on them. I have several friends who, if I visit them, I must either take a cab or beg a ride from someone else who is going there too.

I agree that many people could use the bicycle for more errands than do, and that by all means they should be urged and encouraged to do so. I would welcome the construction of infrastructure that would make transportational cycling more convenient. Cars and trucks, however, will realistically be the mainstays of our transportational system for the forseeable future.

For there are some transportational situations for which bicycles are unsuited. Before cars were invented horses, mules, and oxen pulled carts and wagons; there were so many of these that when cars and trucks were introduced it was thought to be a boon to the environment as many cities were literally drowning in manure, a problem which cars and trucks at first reduced, and later eliminated.

ah yes, cast iron woodstove transporters should be exempt as well. especially blind, elderly people transporting their cast iron stoves.

oh, nevermind...

ah yes, cast iron woodstove transporters should be exempt as well. especially blind, elderly people transporting their cast iron stoves.

oh, nevermind...

:D

I guess elkhound thinks it's educational to think of reasons not to ride, when most of us are trying to find ways to ride more. You'll soon be ignoring these smartass posts, roseskunk. :)

Reason 548 why you should think of moving...it sounds like you live in the least bike friendly town in America.

Hell...come to Canada and we can build bikes.

You know, I do live in a pretty bike un-friendly town, but compared to other towns near mine, it's considerably better. My town is basically a very nice old center portion which is great for cycling and walking, surrounded by a cycling/pedestrian Hell. Many towns in this area consist entirely of the worst from my town, and I can't even imagine trying to ride in any of them. I complain a lot about this place, because it seems terrible when I read about so many other places on Bikeforums that seem to be so much better. Of course when it comes down to it, the worst thing about this town is the people. I'll just leave it at that before I go on an endless rant. :p

I'd also put in those who must transport bulky or heavy items. There are things too large or heavy to transport by cycle unless one has a very specialized machine, and some things are too large even to transport any sort of distance by human power. (For example, I recently had a cast iron woodstove delivered to my house. By truck. How could one transport that by bike? Perhaps with a Bikes-at-Work trailer or a Cycles Maximus cargo trike, but even those would have been hard! And, when I moved in, one of the things I moved was a grand piano; how do you propose that I have moved that by bicycle?)

And what about people with babies and small children? Child seats and trailers are only for babies who are old enough to hold their heads up. And even if the children are older, there are only so many one can put on one bike.

The last couple of years of my late father's life, the main thing I used the car for was to take him to the doctor and on other errands. He never learned how to ride a bike, and even if he had the last few years he would have been incapable of doing so. If you think I would have put an Altzheimer's patient with a fractured pelvis and a bad heart on the snapdeck of my Xtracycle, you've got another think coming! Moreover, for certain services he had to go to the VA Hospital in Huntington, which is about 50 miles away.

I'm lucky that the veterenarian's office is within walking distance, so I can use one of these (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+2053+16180&pcatid=16180), but if it were farther away, I don't know how I'd get the cat there without a car. I know that there are pet trailers, but I think that the experience would be very stressful for him, particularly if he were already sick or injured.

Finally, there are parts of town which are simply inaccessible by bicycle. Charleston is located in a narrow, deep river valley; while much of the town is down on the flats, a great deal of the residential neighborhoods--and no few of the business districts--are perched up on the hillsides, hills so steep that some cars labor on them. I have several friends who, if I visit them, I must either take a cab or beg a ride from someone else who is going there too.

I agree that many people could use the bicycle for more errands than do, and that by all means they should be urged and encouraged to do so. I would welcome the construction of infrastructure that would make transportational cycling more convenient. Cars and trucks, however, will realistically be the mainstays of our transportational system for the forseeable future.

For there are some transportational situations for which bicycles are unsuited. Before cars were invented horses, mules, and oxen pulled carts and wagons; there were so many of these that when cars and trucks were introduced it was thought to be a boon to the environment as many cities were literally drowning in manure, a problem which cars and trucks at first reduced, and later eliminated.

I agree with you that cars and trucks, in many instances, are needed. But not nearly so much as people imagine. Most trips that people take are two miles or less (unless you live in a rural area), and don't involve transporting grand pianos. Many trips that involve modest cargoes can be easily accomplished by bike; last summer, I used a bike trailer to transport an 8hp outboard motor from Seattle to Edmonds, WA and back by bike with little difficulty, and I'm not an especially strong rider. While I don't advocate that every family across North America become totally car-free, I do think that car-lite is entirely possible and even desirable for virtually everyone. If every family reduced the number of cars it had to only one, and used that car only when actually necessary, it would go a long way to making families more solvent financially, and would do wonders for quality of life and for the environment. Personally, I'm in a much better situation financially by not owning a car, and riding everywhere I go leaves me in a much better mood than driving ever did.

I agree with you that cars and trucks, in many instances, are needed. But not nearly so much as people imagine. Most trips that people take are two miles or less (unless you live in a rural area), and don't involve transporting grand pianos. Many trips that involve modest cargoes can be easily accomplished by bike; last summer, I used a bike trailer to transport an 8hp outboard motor from Seattle to Edmonds, WA and back by bike with little difficulty, and I'm not an especially strong rider. While I don't advocate that every family across North America become totally car-free, I do think that car-lite is entirely possible and even desirable for virtually everyone. If every family reduced the number of cars it had to only one, and used that car only when actually necessary, it would go a long way to making families more solvent financially, and would do wonders for quality of life and for the environment. Personally, I'm in a much better situation financially by not owning a car, and riding everywhere I go leaves me in a much better mood than driving ever did.

I think we agree, mostly. I, too, am car-free, and I do think that more people can be car-lite than are, but it is not possible for everyone, and we who are car-free or -lite shouldn't look down our noses at those who are unwilling or unable to do so.

I think we agree, mostly. I, too, am car-free, and I do think that more people can be car-lite than are, but it is not possible for everyone, and we who are car-free or -lite shouldn't look down our noses at those who are unwilling or unable to do so.

Unable I don't have a problem with, unwilling is another story...

Aaron:)

look, all you have to do is sit in a parking lot and count the number of cars puling in to a campus. of those count the number of people that are hauling cast iron stoves, are infirm, are legless, ETC. also even include those that are coming from more than five miles away. exclude them. the rest however, should at least consider riding a bike. i'm not saying it should be required, i'm saying it should be made easier for them, that a bike should be the first thing they think or when they have to get somewhere. i'm saying that bikes should be welcome on campus and in corporate offices or in protected parking areas. i don't think anyone is advocating pedaling an 18 wheeler.

Unable I don't have a problem with, unwilling is another story...

Aaron:)


Then you would force the "unwilling"? We are still a free country, last time I checked.

Then you would force the "unwilling"? We are still a free country, last time I checked.

No...I would look down my nose at them:D (tongue firmly planted in cheek) We have an obesity problem in this country, we are looking at peak oil, we have a crumbling autocentric infrastructure, if people would quit driving their cars for short distances and try walking or riding a bike it would be a step in the right direction.

FWIW I was sitting in my motel room the other morning observing a morning ritual that cracks me up. Adjacent to my motel is a fair sized gated condo project. The school bus pulls up outside the gate and the kids file out the pedestrian gate to get on the bus. There is one mother that DRIVES her children from the mid point of the project to the gate. It is probably all of 150 yards! On this particular morning it was a bit on the cool side (40's) and the bus was late, she drove the kids down and sat there in her Ford Expedtion with the engine idling for a good 20 minutes until the bus got there, then drove back up to her parking place. These kids are able bodied...I have seen them walk from the bus to the condo in the evening and have observed them playing soccer in the parking lot. All I can wonder is WTF. This is the mentality that I cannot fathom. I have no problem with a properly used ICE vehicle, it is a tool and should be used as such, not as a crutch for a lazy person.

Aaron:)

^ amen brother.

Also might add that we are about to hit a tax crunch in many areas of the country. The costs of maintaining infrastructure are rising much faster than the tax increases can keep up. Also the lower end of the wage earning spectrum is getting larger and the middle class is getting smaller and squeezed even harder, bikes don't require as substantial an infrastructure as a 5,000#+ SUV.

Aaron:)

There is one mother that DRIVES her children from the mid point of the project to the gate. It is probably all of 150 yards! On this particular morning it was a bit on the cool side (40's) and the bus was late, she drove the kids down and sat there in her Ford Expedtion with the engine idling for a good 20 minutes until the bus got there, then drove back up to her parking place. These kids are able bodied...I have seen them walk from the bus to the condo in the evening and have observed them playing soccer in the parking lot. All I can wonder is WTF.

Now we know why the college students think they "need" cars on campus. It's genetic!

Then you would force the "unwilling"? We are still a free country, last time I checked.

I wouldn't prohibit car ownership, but the fact that you own a car doesn't give you an automatic right to drive it anywhere you want. I would have no problem with prohibiting driving in many locations, and college campuses are a good place to start.

And from your other post, do I look down on people who drive? No. Some of my best friends drive. But I feel sorry for people who lack the ability to even imagine other ways to haul their lazy carcasses from place to palce.

And from your other post, do I look down on people who drive? No. Some of my best friends drive. But I feel sorry for people who lack the ability to even imagine other ways to haul their lazy carcasses from place to palce.

Using a phrase like "lazy carcasses" sounds like looking down on people.

My own undergraduate college--just a few miles north of Ripon, BTW--had a rule that anyone on financial aid was not allowed a car on campus without a very good reason. (The only regular exception that was made was music majors whose principal instrument was the pipe organ; many had church jobs beyond walking or cycling distance from campus. I don't know of any other exceptions that were made.)

Using a phrase like "lazy carcasses" sounds like looking down on people.


Oh well. I actually don't think everybody who drives is lazy, but I think laziness is one reason for the popularity of cars. And watching college students drive from one building on campus to another, just to avoid a three minute walk, confirms this opinion.

Using a phrase like "lazy carcasses" sounds like looking down on people.

My own undergraduate college--just a few miles north of Ripon, BTW--had a rule that anyone on financial aid was allowed a car on campus without a very good reason. (The only regular exception that was made was music majors whose principal instrument was the pipe organ; many had church jobs beyond walking or cycling distance from campus. I don't know of any other exceptions that were made.)

My brother played organ and sang in at least 2 different church choirs, got back and forth between them and the school on a bike just fine...

Aaron:)

My brother played organ and sang in at least 2 different church choirs, got back and forth between them and the school on a bike just fine...

Aaron:)

I didn't say and certainly didn't mean to imply that ALL organ majors were granted a pass just for that reason! It was covered on a case-by-case basis. But please remember that this was in Wisconsin, and that a large part of the school year in Wisconsin is winter. Up there we get the first snow in November and don't see the ground again until April. Yes, many churches were close enough to walk or bike even in winter; but many were not. Some student organists I knew had to go twenty or thirty miles away to their churches.

And watching college students drive from one building on campus to another, just to avoid a three minute walk, confirms this opinion.

And how do you know that they don't have MS, or ALS, or a heart condition, or some other medical reason for not walking or cycling? Unless you have interviewed each and every one (and none of them told you to mind your own @#$% business), you don't, so you shouldn't judge.

I didn't say and certainly didn't mean to imply that ALL organ majors were granted a pass just for that reason! It was covered on a case-by-case basis. But please remember that this was in Wisconsin, and that a large part of the school year in Wisconsin is winter. Up there we get the first snow in November and don't see the ground again until April. Yes, many churches were close enough to walk or bike even in winter; but many were not. Some student organists I knew had to go twenty or thirty miles away to their churches.

I have ridden in Wisconsin in the winter, used to live in Racine. Why are you being the apologist here? No one on this board has ever demanded that everyone live car free or even car light. We just want to see a more judicious use of them. And yes laziness is pervasive in today's American society. Personally I think we have a problem when a large portion of our population is obese, there is no reason for a large percentage of the US population to not get off their fat asses and walk a few blocks to a store instead of cranking up a 15mpg SUV to go and get a big Gulp and a bag of chips. Many, many of the "diseases" we see today wouldn't be here in the vast numbers they are if people exercised moderately. Also FWIW my daughter played Tuba in HS and son played double bass, we did use a small station wagon (1982 Honda Civic) to transport their instruments back and forth, but when the instruments were not required to come home the kids rode their bicycles or walked to school. As I have stated numerous times...a car is a tool and should be used selectively. Instead of making excuses for why they won't work here or there, people need to spend the time finding reasons NOT to use them, they would all be better off for it.

Aaron:)

And how do you know that they don't have MS, or ALS, or a heart condition, or some other medical reason for not walking or cycling? Unless you have interviewed each and every one (and none of them told you to mind your own @#$% business), you don't, so you shouldn't judge.

You sure have been touchy lately. You remind me of myself when my knee hurt and I had to take the bus for 5 months. Anything wrong?

And how do you know that they don't have MS, or ALS, or a heart condition, or some other medical reason for not walking or cycling? Unless you have interviewed each and every one (and none of them told you to mind your own @#$% business), you don't, so you shouldn't judge.

dear mother of god! what school did you go to? all those poor b*stards without legs hauling cast iron stoves to their roommates with ms? :eek:

i do believe the point here is that many, MANY people who drive should consider walking or riding. this is a bike forum after all. :rolleyes:

people need to spend the time finding reasons NOT to use them, they would all be better off for it.

Aaron:)I've got a reason: Parking at my building is now $125/month. And everything I need is within a 15 minute walk from my building. :)

dear mother of god! what school did you go to? all those poor b*stards without legs hauling cast iron stoves to their roommates with ms? :eek:


:D

The school of hard knocks for sure.

UC Davis has been like this for years. You can drive the perimeter of the campus, but cannot drive straight through. Most student parking is around the periphery. First and second year students who live in the dorms do not get residential parking permits. So if a student wants to have a car, they have to get an apartment off campus.

I've never heard of anyone being inconvenienced by any of this either.

I've got a reason: Parking at my building is now $125/month. And everything I need is within a 15 minute walk from my building. :)

That would work for me real quick...when my brother and his wife lived in Brookline, MA they got ONE parking space included in their rent, if they wanted a second parking space it could be rented for something like $400 a month. I also recall him sending me an ad for a parking space in one of the downtown areas where you bought the rights to a space, but still had to pay monthly fees. IIRC that space "sold" for $35,000 a space:eek:

Aaron:)