LETTERS: Weighing in on Hutchison

To the Editor: So which is it? Are Diorka, et al., endangering our health and safety or are they merely extorting our money with these underhanded, annoyingly pathetic tactics? Marcel Benjamin College/Wharton '01 Bike safety concerns To the Editor: It is difficult to see how the University could prevent an unsanctioned bike race from occurring on Locust Walk ("Parent sues U. for injuries from collision," DP, 9/16/99). But the University is knowingly setting the stage for tragedy through their lack of planning for bicyclists and bicycle traffic. Aside from the occasional crackdowns on Locust Walk peddlers and a handful of substandard bike racks, bike riders are virtually ignored. Bike racks are placed in secluded spots and bikes are banned from buildings even at night, helping keep bike thieves busy on campus. More importantly, the University has made no constructive provisions for safe cycling. Walnut and Chestnut streets have no bike lanes and are for skilled riders only. The Walnut Street bridge is frightening even to skilled cyclists. Spruce Street is marginal eastbound and hazardous westbound. The University has no bicycle coordinator or bicycle resources office and offers no real instruction of any kind in bike safety or security. Small wonder that many Penn students wind up riding on the sidewalks, even in Center City, where bike lanes are common. Since the sidewalk ends at each intersection (where most car-bike accidents happen), this practice only makes bike riding slower -- not safer. Near-misses between student cyclists and cars and between pedestrians and other riders are a daily occurrence around the campus. In fact, unskilled cyclists probably spark more complaints than the 50 or so skilled bike messengers working Philadelphia's streets. Before another pedestrian or cyclist is hurt or killed, the University could take some simple steps: · Create a "bicycle orientation" for new and returning students, which would offer street smarts to new city riders. · Offer a fall "Welcome Back" bike ride to promote safe cycling, spotlight biking as a responsible form of transit and help show students the city beyond the campus. · Make a westbound bikeway on Sansom Street from 34th to 42nd streets and beyond by cutting a bike-sized lane through the concrete divider at 38th Street and adding a "push-for-green" traffic signal. · Stripe bike lanes on Spruce Street eastbound from 43rd Street and add rubber matting to make the trolley switches at 40th and 42nd streets less dangerous to cyclists. · Train campus shuttle and LUCY drivers to respect the rights of cyclists on the road. Michael McGettigan President Trophy Bikes Taking offense To the Editors: As a loyal Villanova student and fan, it is always a pleasure to attend sporting events. College athletics epitomize healthy competition, hard work and school spirit. I usually have a great time whether at a home or away game. This past Saturday, I was met with the most offensive and tasteless display of "school spirit" I have ever seen. They insulted our intelligence, put down our standing as a university and directly offended certain members of our student body. They displayed all that college competition is against and destroyed all respect I had for their talent as performers. What I was even more disappointed with is the fact that the University of Pennsylvania's administration, music director and students allow this kind of poor sportsmanship and downright indecency. I would think a well-established and well-respected university would have a lot more class than was shown during halftime Saturday night. Were I a member of the Penn student body, faculty or administration, I would be ashamed and embarrassed of their display. While we at Villanova have nationally recognized academic and athletics program, talented student-athletes, supportive and caring fans, wonderful students, faculty and alumni we also have dignity, pride, respect and class -- standards I'm sure the Penn Band wouldn't understand but hope they can learn. Alexis Venutolo-Mantovani Villanova '01