or you could try to involve bicycling into you major and then talk your parents into helping you buy one to furthing your academic pursuits. I for one am majoring in geography with an emphasis in urban and community planning and an option in GIS/Cartography. I hope to plan bike paths in urban areas some day. So when i needed a new commuter, well i didn't ask my parents - some stranger gave it to me, but i'm sure my parents would help me throw down for some new fenders and a blinky light. Safety first!