Bike storage needed as soon as possible

At the last University Senate meeting, one of the topics of discussion was bike storage, or the lack thereof, across the Washington Square campus. In light of recent complaints from both students and faculty, NYU is finally addressing where students can safely store their bikes directly on campus. In the future, the university plans to create a unit for student bikes behind Tisch Hall once the construction behind the building comes to a close.

Yet this plan does not provide biking students the immediate relief they need. It is good that NYU is finally addressing this problem, but a more permanent solution should have already been in place. Granted, the issue can be complicated because of the urban, public layout of the campus. But for NYU to not have bike storage areas already set up seems like an oversight. Many dorms, especially those for upperclassmen, have in-house bike storage areas. It seems reasonable that the main campus should as well.

We acknowledge that it is not necessarily NYU's the technical responsibility to accommodate bikes on campus. Additionally, there is no defined campus where bike racks might naturally be placed. But if the university wants to ease some stress for the large population of biking students, it is within its best interest to do as much as possible to get more bike storage on campus. We think it is reasonable to expect such options.

The public nature of the campus is, of course, a relevant factor that cannot be overlooked. But NYU should make every effort possible to fulfill the mandates of the Department of Transportation as well as the needs of the students. Space is limited, but there are many creative solutions to this problem that the university and its task forces can tackle. Even temporary solutions, like using the empty space between buildings, or open courtyards, would help to appease bikers until more permanent solutions are found.

It is unfortunate that students have no consistent, safe place to store their bikes while on campus. This only adds to the stress of wondering whether one's bike will be there when class is over or at the end of a night in Bobst Library. But it seems to us that it is well within the university's means to rectify this problem. NYU should fix this issue as soon as possible.

E-mail the editorial board at editboard@nyunews.com.