There is a noticeable difference from NIU’s campus compared to many others, predominantly, the absence of bike lanes. Northern Illinois University’s “Vision 2020” initiative is inherently flawed, without mention of bicycle lanes. The agenda of the 2020 initiative is to increase school enrollment to 30,000 students by the year 2020. This does not address the sustainable transportation methods that are available at other universities such as bicycle paths. Many students who walk to class while wearing ear buds do not hear the ringing of bicycle bells, as bikes approach. Navigating campus on bike is extremely dangerous at times. A courteous mass bicycle ride is being hosted by The Green Paws Environmental Alliance and Northern Illinois Cycling Club this coming Friday 3/23/12, at 5:30 p.m., leaving from the convocation center. Green Paws got the idea for the ride from NIU’s very own Jeffrey Kidder, who wrote the book “Urban Flow”, about being a bicycle messenger. A bike lane petition to sign will also be distributed, urging President John G. Peters and the University “Vision 2020” committee to amend the “Vision”, to include the installation of bike lanes in the near future.

Sincerely,

Eric Sterling,

Vice-President of The Green Paws Environmental Alliance

[email protected]