Bike Committee
Introduction
Funded by a $1.25/quarter lock-in, the A.S. Bike Committee (ASBC) is a unique component of the Associated Students community. It’s a place where passionate advocacy for bicycle safety and a clear voice for consideration of bicycles in campus planning come together.
The ASBC works to increase student, staff, faculty, and administration awareness of and involvement with bicycle system issues in and around UCSB. It provides substantial funding for capital improvements on campus, and participates in social and outreach events throughout the year.
The student committee has been successful in financing design and construction of significant and much needed extensions of the bike path system and continual maintenance of existing paths both on-campus and off-campus from IV to Coal Oil Point.
Events
During Spring Quarter the Office of Student Life and Bike Committee collaborated with the California Highway Patrol to host an awesome event on Pardall Road called Brighten up IV! At the event 1000 bike lights were distributed for FREE! Bicycle safety information was also provided. Participant could also register their bikes and do some maintenance and repair.
Current Projects
New Lot at Kerr Hall
Kerr Hall is one of the most demanding parking areas on campus. Although it had around 180 spaces, during peak hours, the existing lot was chronically beyond 150% over capacity. Understanding the popularity of this area, Bike Committee worked with campus officials to relocate the lot to the north side of the South Hall building in order to fit more racks and make it easier to park bikes before class.
The Committee originally approved $50,000, and then added another $59,000 for the project, which was completed at the end of Summer Quarter in time for the 2012/2013 school year. Today the new lot, which sports state-of-the-art and super efficient Peak Bike racks, is always swarming with bikes.
Dero Bike Pumps
Funding and plans were approved to install 7 Dero bike air pumps around campus. These stands do not interfere with parking and provide easy and accessible maintenance for bikes around campus. They are bright yellow to stand out, with stands made by the by Bike Committee members. The pumps were installed in early September.
Future Projects
Student Affairs and Administrative Services Building (SAASB) Intersection Roundabout
Preliminary ideas have been made to move the notoriously dangerous SAASB intersection. These ideas include expanding the intersection and turning it into a roundabout. Currently a landscaping consultant is working on the problem. This project should cost upwards of $200,000 and will take at least a couple years to complete. It’s a good example of students working with University administrators on a long term project that may not bear fruit until well after they have graduated and left campus.