University Students on Bicycles?
September 25, 2012, 7:48 pm
By Douglas King
What’s one of the first things a student does when arriving at Cambridge University? The answer if you didn’t know is to buy or rent a bicycle. Nearly every student and many faculty members travel around the colleges and city by bicycle despite often wet and cold weather. Whether you are a wealthy or not wealthy student, the bicycle is the great leveler. In fact there are so many bicycles that even the numerous authorised places to park your bike are often full.
Having lived in Kandy for over eight years and frequently visiting Peradeniya University (often on my bicycle), I have yet to see even a single student or faculty member riding a bicycle. Occasionally I do see a labourer astride an old and rusting bike, but never a student. Hostels and various university buildings are not in close proximity so it would seem a sensible and convenient mode of transport that would both save time and provide good exercise. Surely it cannot be the cost of a bicycle that prevents ownership or the lack of suitable roads and tracks. Eight thousand rupees buys quite a serviceable machine and most roads in the university have been upgraded.
Most Sunday mornings I cycle around the various university roads and further afield. Passing by many students walking along the roads, I do get stared at as if I am some (mirage. I am over three times the age of most students and obviously not a local labourer, so maybe I am an eccentric (albeit, a healthy one!).
I have sometimes asked students why they don’t ride bicycles and those who understand my English just smile. However, several students have hinted that riding a bike on campus is an indication that you are either poor or strange. Of course, motor bikes are what every student would like but cannot afford.
While bicycles in many European cities are becoming a popular means of transport for both residents and tourists, Sri Lanka sometimes does everything to deter ownership. During my recent visit to London and Paris, I was amazed at the huge number of bicycle depots located seemingly at every junction where anyone with a credit card can borrow a suitable city bike free of charge and leave it at any of the numerous roadside bike stations. London is gradually becoming a bike-friendly city with bicycle lanes alongside many roads. Unfortunately in Kandy and surroundings, there are few places where it is safe to ride a bike especially for children. Why not invite children to bring their bikes to the Botanical Gardens once a month? With the various paved tracks around the Gardens, it would give children a safe place to ride, as well as enjoying the wonderful environment. A suggestion to this effect some time back, went unanswered.
So I shall continue to be the sole rider on the campus and ignore the stares and looks of surprise from passersby. Occasionally you can see either the Prime Minister or MPs riding bicycles to Parliament or travelling on public transport. Naturally, I am referring to the UK and not Sri Lanka
