They’re at it again . DPS is cutting locks on bicycles that are parked “illegally.” This is not all bad, though. Yes, everyone should know not to lock their bikes up to hand rails, trees and other objects that are not meant for this use. But at the same time, I have a problem with these actions.

The location I observed officials cutting a lock was between Horticulture and Catt Hall. While many may not understand the problem, others will. Up until mid to late October there was one bike rack at that location, which was always full and more than once I had to go as far as the bike racks in front of Agronomy Hall to lock my bike up.

Then, for whatever reason, the inadequate bike rack disappeared, leaving us without a place to park. Since then, the guardrail to keep people from falling into the stairwell at Catt Hall has been highly used for this purpose. It is the only option without having to walk to Bessey Hall, Agronomy Hall or Lagomarcino Hall to lock up our bikes.

I have an ultimatum for DPS or whomever is in charge of placing bike racks on campus. It is to either replace this bike rack, even in an inadequate state as before, or to quit impounding the bikes from this location. It is only a matter of time until they take someone’s bike who will not put up with it and have an all-out war with DPS over a destroyed bike lock which can be rather expensive, a stolen/impounded bike, and the mental anguish of having their transportation taken away.

To us bikers it would be the equivalent of having a DPS Parking Division truck towed and impounded, while the officer is writing parking tickets for parking in a lot without the proper parking permit sticker. I hope that the right steps are taken to alleviate this situation, but if not, be ready for a war.

Aaron Brand

Senior

Horticulture