Bike access, labs re-open

Originally published: Oct. 28, 2010
Publication: THE GLOBE

The installation of a new university bicycle program will provide students with more opportunities for exercise and additional no cost transportation methods.

The recent re-establishment of 24-hour computer access is also giving students more availability to use the lab.

Both of these programs have the possibility for expansion in the future to include more computers and bicycles, depending on student response.

The bicycle program, which was funded by the United Student Government (USG) was officially launched on Monday, Oct. 18.

"We hope that students will use it on a regular basis for multiple purposes – recreational, to go grocery shopping [and] to really take advantage of what Pittsburgh has to offer," press secretary for USG Meagan Stroud said.


USG President Michael Potoczny has similar hopes as well.

"I hope students get out and enjoy Pittsburgh and the many bike trails it offers. I hope student utilize this not only for recreational activity but to use it for a clean form of transportation. If students enjoy it that's all that matters to me," he said in an e-mail interview.

Students can rent out one of two Raleigh Detour 4.5 bicycles at the Student and Convocation Center for up to a period of 24 hours. With the bicycle rental, students will also rent out a lock and a helmet.

A form of collateral, such as a student ID or a driver's license, is needed at the time a liability waiver regarding injuries and damage to the bicycles is signed.

"Other than regular repairs, students will be responsible for anything they break," Potoczny said. He defined the "regular repairs" to be things such as flat tires.

According to the press release issued by USG, the bicycle program is something that is new to the entire city.

"It'll be really awesome if we were a trendsetter … But I don't know what other schools are looking into right now or what they're not looking into," Stroud said.

As of right now, however, the program consists of just two bicycles, with the opportunity for expansion based on student response.

"If the students use it enough and we see that there's a need for it … and we have the budget for it, we'll get more bikes," Stroud said.

Student reactions to this program, however, are mixed.

"I like the idea of it. It'll be fun," said Kyle Nevel, a junior cinema and digital arts major.

Nevel is unsure, however, about the timing of the program, with the approaching winter season and weather.

Other students are wary of the program.

"I'm afraid to ride a bike in the city," said Ashley Nicely, a junior creative writing major.

Another change in the university is the reinstatement of a 24-hour computer lab. The hours were changed back from 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

"The computer lab is currently watched over by a person at night. They will be adding security cameras in the lab and the person will not be watching over the lab once they're installed," Potoczny said.

The concept of security cameras is not an entirely new, however.

"The cameras will be located in the 24-hour lab, but with that said, many of the hallways leading to our other labs are monitored with security cameras currently," director of Information Technology Services Tim Wilson said in an e-mail interview.

The computer lab on the second floor of Thayer Hall was changed back to 24-hour status as of Friday, Oct. 22. The original cutting of hours occurred after computers were stolen from the lab in June.

According to Stroud, USG received 21 student complaints from Sept. 17 to Sept. 29 about the lack of a 24-hour computer lab. These complaints resulted in a meeting with Wilson at the end of September. Steps were taken following that meeting to give students all-day access to a computer lab.

Other changes may follow in the future.

"We have ordered Mac computers to be put in that lab. Those are coming," Stroud said. "Those are the only current, future developments. That's short term. Long term, we've looked into expanding it."

According to Potoczny, there will be an addition of 4 Macs to the 24-hour lab.

"They will also be looking into adding more Macs over time," he said.

But despite modifications in the computer makeup of the lab, it will continue to exist.

"There will be a permanent 24-hour lab on campus … for now, it's that room [in Thayer]. In the distant future, it may be elsewhere," Stroud said.

Bike access, labs re-open