LexRides

[taylor]

[willard]

After talking to more people about the program, it does look like things are going to remain "free" for some time.

Everything in the original post for this thread was based on information that I recieved from one of the PTS employees behind the desk at thier secret lair.

I am still very skeptical of the program given the history of attempted exploitation and emphasis on enforcement.

PTS= Wolves in sheepskin.

[laughterhouse5]

I put in the survey yesterday, "registration doesn't deter me from cycling, but if we're going to be charged for the registration, it unquestionably deters me from registering."

Hopefully someone in a high-backed chair reads that. (just in case)

[alex]

I wouldn't object to the money so much as the general spirit conveyed.

Right now the attitude is overwhelmingly negative. The general feeling is that UK wants to discourage bike use on campus, and discourage visitors from the community.

I would totally support this (including paying for reg).... IF:

1) the attitude of the overall program was positive, encouraging of bikes, and encouraging of visitors (remember that whole town gown thing ya'll keep talking about?)

2) a substantial portion of the money went to bike related amenities

3) enforcement was geared AND WORDED towards ticketing unsafe riding and parking violations, quality of life issues, rather than just ticketing bikes solely because they didn't have a reg sticker

and 4) the sticker was much smaller and redesigned (maybe by a bike related designer?) to be less fugly.

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I was looking at Davis California, bike mecca of USA, and they require a $10 reg for all bikes in the entire city. this last three years and renewal is $5.

BUT, Davis also supplies bike commuter showers, lots of bike racks, lots of bike lanes, AND they overwhelmingly want bikes to be there. They have more than 1 bike per person in Davis. We want to get there, but it won't happen if the city and university continue with this punitive mindset.

[elzie5000]

Enforcement priorities are a huge issue at UK. And by that I mean they're a total joke.

Last week on one trip across campus I saw at least a half dozen people riding on the sidewalk, one handed, weaving through pedestrians, while talking on the phone, when there were bike lanes in the street right next to them. At least one went right past a UK cop, who did nothing.

Then again, I also saw three near accidents where people walked into traffic without looking while texting or talking and cars had to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting them.

[the great zombo]

this would work better if it were a city thing, it will remain negative and a joke to most because it is campus. most of the people that actually care are not even students. and a large part of the bike riders on campus do not care about their bikes, they ride because daddy or mommy bought them the bike. when i was in school i seen many cases were kids would get a flat and just leave their bike until they got repossessed.

i support all things bike.
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the/great\zombo

[knuckles]

ok... but, this bothers me on 2 levels...

1. it looks like a student would owe UK the fees on an impounded bike, whether it was reclaimed or not... something about "records", I am assuming grades...

something like,"oh yes and there is the matter of the bike we impounded in your first semester, mr. dumass. just pay up the fines, and we can call you DOCTOR dumass"

-and-

2. will there be some way to tell that the UK bike rack is different from an actual public bike rack? will the rules be posted?

maybe they should all be labeled "NOT FOR THE GREATER GOOD"
oh, or how 'bout "BEWARE OF DOUCHEBAGS"
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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.
Nietzsche

[elzie5000]

1 The fines look like they'd work the same way library fines do, ie yes they'll hold your degree over your head if you owe $5 on a past due book.

That part isn't all bad. In theory it will reduce the number of abandoned bikes if students will be fined for leaving them behind.

Of course the down side is they count your bike as abandoned when it doesn't move for 5 days. Which is bullshit.

2 Before the start of the semester they put stickers on all the UK racks that say you have to have a sticker to lock up there. They really like stickers. Stickers will bring order to chaos in this uncertain world. Apparently.

[noindiecred]

To resurrect an older topic here: the idea of paying for bike registration would make more sense too if UK would take the money raised Home Depot and purchase a bag of bolts to attach their bike racks to the ground. Many of their bike racks are just resting on concrete next to a parking lot, and I hope some yahoos don't figure out that they can drive a pickup to the curb and lift the whole rack without anyone being the wiser.

[roller]

Ya, a few of the racks aren't mounted to anything. But it should be repeated that:

1) Registration is free, can be done online for multiple bikes (if you're at UK or KCTCS), and they'll mail you the stickers within the week.

If you not part of campus, but want a registration, then I think you can bring your serial number to Parking Structure No. 5 located next to Kennedy Book Store.

2) I've seen little enforcement on campus. A ticket here and there, but no locks.

[brokebike]

not that it couldn't be done, but I would love to see a couple of guys lifting a 12ft long steel bike rack with bikes attached into the back of a pickup.

That wouldn't be conspicuous or anything.

But then again, people will do stuff like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daytonohio/3150192928/
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[mofokuban]

Wow, that's some serious dedication to bike thievery right there...

[sailorjames]

square>circle, or was that rack filled with rock?

[brokebike]