With the increase in bicycles around campus students said they find that the quick transportation makes things easier.
Senior Elizabeth Jarocki has been riding her bike in and around Seton Hall since she moved off-campus about a year ago.
"It's faster than walking," she said. "Last year I lived on Waverly Place and it felt safer riding a bike than walking, especially at night."
Currently, Jarocki lives in Seton Court, although she still finds it easier to bike ride to campus than to walk.
"I ride it onto campus and then just straight to the building wherever I have class or a meeting," Jarocki said.
As for safety, Jarocki said, "I try to not ride on the main walkways, especially in between class times…and if I'm riding to a class where there are a lot of people, I try to stick to the roads rather than the sidewalks."
According to Jarocki, riding a bike is especially useful around South Orange. "It's definitely more difficult to ride inside campus. We're not on a huge campus and it and it doesn't really seem to be made for bike riding," Jarocki said.
There are currently no official rules regarding bikes and bike riders according to Ann Szipszky, parking services manager, but Szipskzy also said that, "We'll address it (the bike situation) in the future if we need to."
"Some campuses register bikes on campus, but currently we do not," Szipszky said.
Szispizky added that she had noticed an increase of bikes on campus recently, especially the decent amount parked on the rack outside the library.
However, no one had approached her about the bike situation prior to this article.
Assistant Director of Public Safety and Security Gary Christie said that students who ride bikes should use common sense.
"(Bike riders) have to obey regular traffic laws…ride with traffic, not on the sidewalk and…secure your bike to a bike rack rather than to a tree," Christie said.
Christie added that while there have been no incidents of bike theft reported this year, there were some thefts reported last year that were mostly due to the "carelessness of the owner." Christie said that bike thefts usually take place when the owner does not lock his or her bike to a bike rack.
"(Bikes) are a great thing, they are cheap and easy to get around on. I encourage students to use them responsibly," Christie said.
Sophomore Nicole Longobardo also rides a bike on campus, and agrees that it makes traveling around South Orange easier and quicker.
"I find it easier to get around town and go to the grocery store and what not, especially when I don't have a lot of time to go places," Longobardo said.
Neither Longobardo nor Jarocki have ever had any problems with theft, and while Longobardo generally chains her bike under Xavier or where there is a bike rack, Jarocki said that she chains her bike anywhere she can find a spot.
"I lock it to a bench, or a tree, or a lamp post, whatever's available," Jarocki said.
Jarocki added that she definitely noticed an increase in the amount of bikes on campus recently.
Sophomore Joseph Yankus said that while he does not have a bike on campus, he can see why other students might.
"I think it adds to the ‘park-like' environment that Seton Hall strives for on campus. Plus it's a quicker way to get to class if you're in a rush," Yankus said.
Amanda Zenga, also a sophomore, agreed. "I have no issue at all with people who decide to ride bikes on campus and I actually feel as though it's nice for them."
Other students, though, are somewhat concerned about their safety when they are walking near student's who ride bikes.
"The people riding the bikes just have to be careful where they are going and how fast they are going. I have almost been run over by one or two different bikes," sophomore Matthew Lapsley said. "Even though I have seen an increase of bikes this year, I think it is a good idea to have one. A bike would be a great way to get around campus and to downtown South Orange."
Caitlin Carroll can be reached at caitlin.carroll@student.shu.edu.
