Much like the Sharks and the Jets from “West Side Story,” the walkers and bikers on NIU’s campus are constantly vying for sidewalk space. NIU walkers and bikers need to stay in their own lanes. If fictional characters can do it, so can NIU.

The heart of campus is a place of constant congestion. Walkers need to be aware of those who bike, and vice versa. 

The university made an effort to create a bike lane, and students should respect it and walk in their designated areas. 

When students walk in groups that take up the entire sidewalk, it pushes bikers and other walkers into the grass

If there are other students around, large groups should move together and allow other people to pass. Everyone will appreciate it. 

Logan Redman, a first-year meteorology major who bikes around campus, described how walking students not paying attention is a common occurrence.

“Most of the time, they’re either on their phone or they have headphones on or earbuds in, and it’s irritating because they don’t know what’s happening around them,” Redman said. “They’re not looking around to see if bikers are coming from either direction.” 

By not paying attention, walkers are creating a potentially dangerous situation for themselves. Staying in the walk lane can keep walkers safe on campus. 

Outside of potential bike conflicts, not being aware of your surroundings can lead to other unsafe scenarios. 

Adrienne Chinski, a first-year psychology major, explained bikers don’t always have a choice about staying in the bike lane.

“I think sometimes they have no other option if there’s people walking in the bike lane,” Chinski said. “I just think, like, overall, the sidewalks are kind of disorganized because people don’t stay where they should be.” 

Both Redman and Chinski noted the dangers of bikers and walkers interacting, describing near collisions with walkers and bikers at various places on campus. The unsafe nature of traveling on NIU’s sidewalks can be easily avoided by looking around and being courteous to other sidewalk users.

Bikers and walkers do not agree on everything, including the best mode of transportation, but they all want to be safe. Exercising respect for others on the sidewalk is important.