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Cars and confusion give
13th Avenue ambiance
Walking across 13th Avenue last week I was almost maimed by
a bicyclist riding up the down part ot the bike route The next
day. I was on my way to buy a double, tall espresso when a
txke almost ran me over on the sidewalk
Now as tar as I can remember, sidewalks have always been tor peo
ple. bike paths have always been tor bikes, and streets have always
been tor cars and buses But on 13th Avenue, with so many people
commg and going on the tiny block between Alder and Kincaid, these
tacts often get contused
And no wonder they get confused The pedestrians are always walk
ing every which way because there are no signs that tell them where
to walk They must improvise a crosswalk
The bikes try to stay on the path, but the pedestrians are always in
Dkidrk Dittman
me miy ividyue 11 iney uiun i
always have to dodge cars, buses,
and people they could use their
designated lane.
As lor the cars, well yes. there is
a street, but it is not in the best con
dition There’s a huge pothole near
the bank which cars sometimes
swerve around Plus, the stop
signs are so random that the cars
don’t know i( they should 3top or
go. Usually, they lust go.
Being a problem solver, l would like to fix this dangerous situation.
So, I decided to take it to the students. I decided, because this 13th
Avenue |am was interfering with our satety, maybe we could come up
with some ideas.
Kevyn Smith, a senior, is aware ol the heavy traffic problems and the
danger it creates. Smith said that "Before I graduate. I will either hit
someone with my bike, skateboard or car, or they'll hit me." He sug
gested a new and inventive type of transportation system. "There
should be another form of Saferide just to get to campus."
Senior Francisco Gallina has first-hand experience with the danger of
13th Avenue "A bus hit me once," he said. "They're crazy. They'll just
go right through without stopping.” Gallina was actually struck by a
bus last year when he was trying to cross 13th Avenue. Luckily, no
one was hurt. He describes the situation as a time when they "were
both in the way, a mutual intersection "
This confrontation prompted Gallina to suggest to re-route the bus
system He thinks that the bus system can continue to use Kincaid
Street, but 13th Avenue should be closed to buses.
Another student, Jason Gauntlett, came up with this same solution
but his reasoning was a little different "Buses are more likely to run you
over than cars," Gauntlett said.
With a big smile, Gina DeSantis, a sophomore, suggested an over
pass "They should just build a big overpass over 13th Avenue for
bikes." DeSantis does not like the traffic that the cars create. She says
she "would never dnve down that street because it's always too busy "
Smith agrees with DeSantis. He said "I think they should cut 13th
Avenue off to cars from 7-Eleven to the University, like they did through
the University " This change would open more room up for bicyclists
and pedestrians, and remove the danger that cars contribute.
John Biebt, a bike rider on 13th Avenue, often notices that there are
a lot of people that come and go around the bookstore. "Its confus
ing " He said “But you just have to be aware."
Of course, there are some students that don't feel that 13th Avenue
needs to change. Mark Patrick, a University student who had been sit
ting on the curve of 13th Avenue said, “Of course I've almost been hit,
but that brings excitement to my life " Patrick likes the atmosphere of
13th Avenue and the only thing he would like to see changed is free
coffee.
Chns Calel, a bike rider, would change nothing either, even though,
"As a bike rider everything else is in his way."
After this research, I could suggest a drastic change for 13th Avenue.
Maybe all students should be required to wear helmets on 13th
Avenue. But after enjoying the atmosphere the area has. I have a new
outlook on the situation. I think changing it in any way would be unrea
son able
The hustle and bustle and craziness of 13th Avenue is part of the
University and part of Eugene Taking away the cars or bikes or the
street sitters would take away a tut of the zest that 13th Avenue gives
Instead, to make it a little safer, all I can suggest is that people just do
what they were taught in grade school. Just Look both ways before
crossing the street and be aware.
1
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