Biking Popularity Growing In Oxford

BY ALEX McKEON
Miami University journalism student
When Miami University students return to campus each fall, they triple the population of the small town -- with many bringing cars that cause traffic to balloon.

Over the past few years, however, biking has become prevalent in and around Oxford, offering a good alternative to cars.

“The argument was why do we need bike infrastructure if nobody bikes?” said David Prytherch, chair of the Oxford Planning Commission and associate professor of geology at Miami University. “The reason was because nobody rode their bikes because they felt like it was unsafe."

Bike lanes have been slowly implemented into important areas around Miami’s campus, thanks to the Oxford Planning Commission. Spring Street now provides for safe east/west bike travel, and Patterson Avenue has added lanes for safer north/south travel. Beyond that, there are plans to add bikes lanes to Locust Street.

“It’s long been an argument for bicycle planning that if you build the infrastructure, people will come,” said Prytherch. "This year I have never seen more bikes on campus than in my full 13 years at Miami University.”

Doug Hamilton of Oxford’s BikeWise has likewise seen the change.

“Having the bike paths when new parents are coming to town and seeing that is really helpful,” said Hamilton.

Nevertheless, Hamilton would like to see additional safety measures related to biking.

“I would like to see some educational signage about what cyclists should and shouldn’t do,” said Hamilton. “It is frustrating to see someone riding on the sidewalk, next to the bike lane.”

The Oxford Police Department has taken note of issues related to increased biking.

Late last month, the department said it would be increasing enforcement of bans on cars stopped in Spring Street bike lanes. It said it would also increase enforcement of laws that require bikers to stop at stop signs and obey other traffic laws.

Miami President Greg Crawford and his wife, Renate, are noted biking enthusiasts, with Crawford completing several cross-country bike trips to benefit research for rare diseases. Like President David Hodge before him -- who inspired students to run and play broomball -- Crawford is increasing visibility of biking on campus as he pedals his way to meetings and stops to chat with students.

Photo: A Miami student stops her bike on a campus corner. -- Photo contributed by Miami University