Since the beginning of time, humans have divided themselves into groups which in turn fight against one other.

These battles happen in every part of the world. Ireland is a country divided between Protestants and Catholics. South Africa is a country torn in daily racial disagreements. Our country was once divided in a bloody battle focused on slavery. The Civil War was a war that pitted North against South, brother against brother.

And we have our own civil war being fought right here on campus, a daily battle involving each and every student.

It’s the battle for the sidewalk.

I know it’s only been one week of class and things still look a little peaceful, but just wait. Things are going to start to get brutal.

The battle of the sidewalks involves walkers and the bikers.

On one side you have the bikers flying by at speeds of up to 20 mph. On the other side are the slow and steady walkers armed only with weapons of bulky bookbags.

As a walker, I admit I have a slightly bias view, since I dislike the bikers and their speedy ways. And I have many reasons for my personal war against the bikers.

On any given morning, I roll out of bed, grab my bookbag and start the trek to various buildings on campus. During my walk, I face the war in my sleepy state, usually unaware of my surroundings. I tend to not walk in a straight line and stare at random things.

But just because I’m a tired walker, why should I be a target of biker violence?

The examples are endless.

Usually I’m rubbing my eyes daydreaming about today’s horoscope when I am nearly hit by a crazed biker.

“Get out of my way,” the enemy yells, poised on his seat and pedaling to his guilt-free escape. “Watch where you’re going,” is the last thing I’ll hear dazed from my near-death experience. Even though I’m unbruised and unharmed, the whole event is a stressful split second moment fueled with the blur of squeaking brakes, tires and handlebars.

This year Iowa State has a record number of students on campus. And this can only mean one thing – more bikers.

This means there will be more times I’ll be threatened of drive-by bicycle damage. This means more times I have to watch my back every time I hear the clicking of gears changing on a bike.

This means there’ll be more times I’ll need to fear that a fast-paced biker is looking to take me down before crossing the street.

I realize the bikers are here. But I still deserve to walk around campus without fear or fret.

As Cyclones we should be united, not divided. We should not allow our transportation differences split this campus.

So as a walker I’ll be trying to prevent any confrontations between other bikers and walkers.

And on the other end, I ask the bikers to help us reach this compromise. Please respect the right of walkers. We know you’re all trying to get to class in under three minutes, but I hope that bikers can learn to respect walkers. And walkers can watch for bikers.

With a little compromise, we can all get along. I truly believe bikers and walkers can live in harmony on this campus.

But until then, the war continues.

Michelle Kann is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Garnavillo. She is the newsroom managing editor for the Daily. She is a walker basically because she is too lazy and out of shape to pedal to class.