{"id":11334,"date":"2011-11-29T15:28:32","date_gmt":"2011-11-29T15:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress72\/?p=20396"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:22:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:22:35","slug":"warning-bikes-in-the-wild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2011\/11\/29\/warning-bikes-in-the-wild\/","title":{"rendered":"Warning: Bikes in the Wild!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every day, misplaced bikes around campus are being clamped and their owners fined. Students are shocked and angry, while the campus security claims that they are being lenient with the clamping this year. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sofia Berkhout, an IBCoM student, channels the voice of many when she says that there aren\u2019t enough bike spaces available all the time. \u201cThis problem discourages people from biking to university, especially those who can travel for free with public transport\u201d. The \u20ac7,50 fine to unlock the clamped bike might be precisely the thing that angers to many students.<\/p>\n

Parking problems<\/b><\/p>\n

Gabi Helfert, RSM\u2019s Web Manager and GreeningRSM volunteer, says that people don\u2019t park their bikes wherever because they are evil, but because there are no alternatives when the racks are full. \u201cOne of the main advantages of riding your bike is that you wouldn\u2019t have to park in a centralized location, and then walk 10 minutes to your destination\u201d.<\/p>\n

In case of emergency<\/b><\/p>\n

On the other hand, there is the problem of bikes parked so densely that people can hardly walk by and if there was an emergency, the bikes would block access to and from the buildings. Frank Wijen, the coordinator of GreeningRSM says that it is up to the bikers themselves to have discipline to park their bikes in a way that doesn\u2019t interfere with others. \u201cYet, at the same time, there is a shortage of bike parking facilities\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u2018We are more lenient than tough\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n

Jelle Jager , the head of Erasmus Security Services, notes that there are plans to install more bicycle racks, but they are still undefined. \u201cClamping is done every year, and this year is no different. Yet, this year we are more nice than tough, because of the construction\u201d. When it comes to the fine, Jager says that the amount was established 15 years ago and is ridiculously low, and barely enough to cover the costs. \u201cThe money goes to the university\u2019s general funds, and we don\u2019t have a party or extra holidays.\u201d Jager is hopeful \u2013 one day all students will park their bikes in the racks, and save everybody time, effort, and money.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To solve the problem, Gabi Helfert made a list of suggestions to the Facility Management about solving this problem: <\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Install double-decker bike stands in \u201cproblem areas\u201d \u2013 in front of\u00a0 building T for example<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Remove three car parking places in T building car parking and install double-decker bike racks instead to gain 100-150 bike parking spaces<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Put up signs (e.g. arrows on the bike lanes) which would indicate alternative bike racks on campus<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Set up a student-run bike repair and second-hand shop, which would take care of the abandoned bikes<\/p>\n\n\t

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