Provide Feedback in Bicycle Safety Survey

The Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) strives to advocate for student concerns at Duke University. One concern GPSC President-Elect Abigail LaBella is passionate about is bicycle safety.

“Cyclists have a net positive effect on our community by reducing emissions, reducing parking strain and increasing personal fitness,” LaBella states, “These community benefits, however, come at a personal risk to cyclists.”LaBella started the GPSC Cyclist Safety Committee with the goal of improving safety initiatives for cyclists on campus. Several parties at Duke have encouraged alternative transportation, including the Office of Sustainability and Duke Parking and Transportation, but LaBella believes more emphasis on safety is needed.

In North Carolina there are approximately 28 cyclist crashes for every 100,000 residents. Here in Durham the number of cyclists involved in crashes is around 33 every year. This past year the Durham cycling community was hit hard, losing three cyclists in three months. As the Duke community strives to decrease its environmental impact, the Cyclist Safety Committee believes more can be done to improve rider safety. Duke has made it easier than ever to grab a bike and head out on the road. The Zagster bike sharing program allows members of the Duke community to rent bicycles to use on and around campus.  The GPSC Cyclist Safety Committee advocates for additional requirements for helmets and safety training. LaBella advocates that education on the importance of helmets, visibility and adherence to cyclist laws is needed at every level of transportation including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The Cyclist Safety Committee wants to learn what problems occur when pedestrians, cyclists and motorists share the roadways. The committee wants to know what might keep motorists from cycling to campus. To have a place to start when engaging with administrators, the committee is conducting a survey to learn about the interactions between cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians on and off campus. All are invited to take the survey, regardless of how they are affiliated with Duke or how they get to, from, and around campus. Please take the GPSC Bicycle Safety Survey by April 30th, 2015.