By Joseph Gonzales
Cycling on campus is both good for costs and the environment, but be aware that a college campus can be dangerous for those not prepared. A non-negotiable when biking is to wear a helmet, broken bones can heal, but brain damage is permanent.
Be seen when riding! In McPherson, there are lots of dark roads on and off campus you need to stray from when riding bikes during the night. Wear bright colors like neon and white or look for reflective clothing. There are other ways to be seen if you want to keep your style. Headlamps, LED taillights and reflectors on the bike itself are very important even with bright clothing.
Here are some professional tips when riding a bike according to (Tips for Bicycling on Campus, 2025); Ride with traffic not against it, scan all directions at intersections, ride at reasonable speeds, use a backpack or a rack for your school supplies, and ride four feet from parked cars to avoid being hit by a door.
“A study from John Hopkins shows that one drink multiplies your probability of serious injury or death by a factor of six” (Tips for Bicycling on Campus, 2025).
During my research I interviewed AmenEl Tadesse who often rides on campus. When speaking on bike safety Tadesse employed the countless close calls of falling and or getting hit by others. “Some people are just clueless,” he says. Tadesse used to not wear helmets or any gear, but once he realized his life was at stake you would now see him in full gear at times. I asked what are some benefits of having motorless transportation and he responded with “My time management is on point, it takes me 30 seconds to get anywhere on campus, I never have to pay for gas and it’s good for the environment around me.” Another question I asked was if he wished he had a car. He explained at times he needs a car for far trips, but he also said with enthusiasm McPherson is small enough to get anywhere on a bike.
Overall biking is a great alternative for transportation but you must be vigilant. Biking is a small task that can turn into much more when getting hit.
