SUBMITTED BY Jarret Leong
While I understand the astronomical fines that UCLA has decided to implement, its planning was obviously done without any input by people who ride bikes to campus. This new plan will force riders to take much more dangerous routes.
Strathmore Avenue is one of the most treacherous routes from the apartments, especially the Gayley/Strathmore intersection where one of my friends was nailed by a Prius and hospitalized. Another friend was forced into a parked car by an inattentive driver and hospitalized. Still another friend was knocked off his bike. I have very narrowly escaped getting wrecked by someone turning left when I had the right of way.
I began taking the De Neve to Charles E. Young route because it is much safer, but as I can hardly afford to fork up $202 in fines, I may find myself taking my chances with Strathmore Avenue once again. Should I send my hospital bills to David Karwaski, policy manager of UCLA transportation?
Leong is a fourth-year English student.