On the paths, cycling is a breeze Miles of paved bike routes provide easy riding for families or single
commuters
Eugene accommodates cyclists
Bicycles are not toys in this city. In this special section, bicycle rules and
regulations — both on campus and off — are discussed. So are local bike
shops, safety suggestions and theft prevention measures.
By ERIC JONES
For *w EmaraM
Amid a steady stream of traffic a young
woman sings as she pedals her three-speed
equipped with bulky fenders and a large basket
A racer shifts gears and passes the woman
The scene could be almost anywhere in
Eugene More than 80 miles of bike routes in
Eugene and Springfield radiate from the
University, connecting the campus with West
Eugene River Road Valley River and Spring
field A 10-mile bike path skirts both banks of the
Willamette River providing long, leisurely rides
and allowing access to riverside parks and
neighborhoods
Three bike bridges cross the river — the
Autzen Bridge the Greenway Bridge at Valley
River, and the Willie Knickerbocker Bridge |ust
below Interstate 5 A new lighted stretch of bike
path connects the Knickerbocker Bridge with
Franklin Boulevard Bikes also can cross the
Ferry Street Bridge
And work continues on new bike routes
The Amazon bikeway is being rebuilt with a
tunnel under 30th Avenue and according to
Charles Nordgaard bicycling co-coordinator for
the city, a new city policy calls for including bike
lanes whenever a street defined in the bicycle
master plan is reconstructed
The original plan tor 150 miles of bikeway in
Eugene has been expanded to more than 170
miles We re adding more all the time, Nord
gaard says
A map compiled by the Eugene Public
Works Department and Peter Eberhardt. a
recent University geology graduate will be pub
lished sometime this fall Eberhardt says the
map. based on Portland's bike map. will be on a
larger scale than the present map and will use a
four-color code to indicate safe routes
Nordgaard says the University generates
much of the bicycle traffic in Eugene Counts
taken on Alder Street last year showed between
1 OCX) and 2.000 bicycles passing in a single day,
twice the amount carried by most other routes in
the city
Nordgaard says he feels that more cooper
ation in bicycle planning is needed between the
city and the University
"(The University s) facilities connect with
ours We've got to have consistency, because
lack of consistency can lead to confusion, he
says
University planner David Rowe agrees that
the University and the city don't always work
together but he says cooperation is a two-way
street "
In defense of the 15th Avenue bike lane
between University and Agate streets which has
been criticized by city planners for not con
forming to city standards Rowe says, It works
— there haven't been any accidents, not even
any near misses "
Rowe also says the city has not been willing
to cooperate with the University in designing a
connector path along the south side of the
Willamette River
Despite our objections, the city has de
signed a bike path right through the center of the
biology experimental gardens,” he says
Eberhardt, a member of the city's bicycling
committee, says that everyone is welcome to
express his or her ideas to the city
"It's the best way to help us fine tune such a
big system,” he says
Nordgaard says the importance of bicycling
as a means of transportation has been firmly
established in Eugene, and now the biggest
project is safety education
Bikes are no longer toys, they're now
commuter vehicles,” he says
Nonetheless, “Sprocket Man,” a red and
blue-suited superhero" who looks a lot like
Spiderman appears in educational comic books
and locally televised public-service announ
cements to carry his message of safe bike riding
Nordgaard warns cyclists that most ac
cidents happen because motorists aren't aware
that bicycles are in the street Following traffic
rules and wearing a helmet can prevent simple
errors in judgment from becoming fatal ac
cidents, he says
Nordgaard has worn a helmet since he
received a concussion after beinq struck by a
Continued on Page 24B
\
Photos by Erich Boekelheide
In the city, caution and safety equipment are necessary, but ample bike lanes keep cars and cycles
separate
If PORTER^
uo
STUDENT
HEALTH
CENTER
13th and Agate
GENERAL MEDICAL CARE -
APPOINTMENTS (686) 4441
Monday through Friday 8 00 a m to 4 30 p m
Saturdays 8 00 a m to 11 30 p m
URGENT CARE is available Monday through
Saturday from 8 00 a m to 8 00 p m and Sunday
from 12 00 noon to 8:00 p m If you sustain injury or
suffer sudden illness, report to the Health Center or
call (686) 4441 Call CAMPUS EMERGENCY EXT
3333 for assistance The urgent care entrance is on
the west side of the building (Beech Street
entrance) Emergency calls are made to all campus
housing and University buildings when necessary
SERVICES (for details see U of O Health Center brochure)
1 General medical attention and treatment (includes clinical gynecology and family
planning counseling)
2 Minor surgery (major surgery and other procedures requiring general anesthesia
and specialists’ services are referred to private physicians)
3 Psychiatric consultations by staff psychiatrists
4 Sports Medicine Clinic
5 Allergy Clinic
6 Immunizations Clinic for treatment as indicated
7 Physical Therapy Department
8 Licensed clinical laboratory and diagnostic x-ray facility
9 Pharmacy with registered pharmacists
10 Care of simple fractures
11 Premarital examinations
The Student Health Center can meet your primary health needs while you are a student
at University of Oregon It is funded by student health fees and charges for laboratory
tests, x-rays, medications and other items. You must bring your current student
identification card and fees receipt to obtain services All expenses of or connected with
consultations, surgical operations, or special procedures must be borne by the student,
the Student Health Center will not pay or be responsible for bills from private physicians,
hospitals, laboratories, etc
Your Health Center provides general medical ambulatory care. There is
no hospital care. It is strongly urged that you have health insurance
coverage for hospitalization and unexpected emergency situations. Call
the A.S.U.O. at (686) 3724 for insurance Information.