A.S. Government Resources

A Resolution in Support of the Usage of Alternative Methods of Transportation in the San Diego State University Bicycle Lane

Author: A.S. University Affairs Board

WHEREAS, the Associated Students (AS) of San Diego State University (SDSU) is the representative body and the single recognized voice of the approximate 30,000 students at SDSU and is entrusted to represent the best interests of our constituents; and

WHEREAS, it is the mission of the AS to represent, serve, and protect the collective interests and values of students at SDSU; and 

WHEREAS, the AS values efforts by and on behalf of students that promote leadership, advocacy, professional development, campus community, communication, service, shared governance, diversity, and sustainability; and

WHEREAS, for the purpose of this resolution alternative methods of transportation include bicycles, skateboards, longboards, rollerblades, scooters, and other methods of a similar nature within campus bicycle lanes; and

WHEREAS, current campus policy requires that motorized and non-motorized carts, trucks, or dollies approved for operation on campus and only officially permitted motor vehicles shall be operated in areas other than the designated bicycle lanes; and

WHEREAS, the original commitment of the AS supporting and partially funding the bicycle lanes on campus was to include alternative methods of transportation within them when feasible; and

WHEREAS, alternative methods of transportation within designated bicycle lanes will enhance the overall experience at SDSU by providing the campus community with convenient, affordable, sustainable and efficient methods of transportation; to, from, and around the University; and 

WHEREAS, alternative methods of transportation play a key role in promoting physical fitness, health and air quality, and a sustainable culture; and

WHEREAS, the A.S. believes that additional policies will increase the probability of campus commuters utilizing alternative methods of transportation within designated bicycle lanes; and

WHEREAS, statistical evidence from Chapter 2: Existing Conditions of the AS and Enviro-Business Society’s 2009 SDSU Bicycle and Skateboard Access Safety Study indicates the percentage of cyclists riding (5.4%) is comparable to the percentage of skaters riding (5.6%) on West Aztec Walk/South Campanile during a day; and

WHEREAS, statistical evidence from Chapter 4: Research Summary of the AS and Enviro-Business Society’s 2009 SDSU Bicycle and Skateboard Access Safety Study supports that 41% of students would start skating more on campus if on-campus routes were added allowing for 2-3 entry points into the interior of the campus; and 

WHEREAS, SDSU’s 2007 Campus Master Plan[1], unanimously approved by the CSU Board of Trustees, includes increasing SDSU’s enrollment capacity to 35,000 full-time enrollment status students by 2025,

WHEREAS, the demand for parking spaces and traffic has the potential to drastically increase as a result of the planned enrollment growth; and

WHEREAS, alternative methods of transportation within designated bicycle lanes will ease the dependence on motor vehicles as the primary source of transportation to and from SDSU and the demand for parking spaces and traffic; and

WHEREAS, the safety of the SDSU community will increase by providing users of alternative methods of transportation with clear policy information regarding the use of alternative transportation on campus; and

WHEREAS, the permitting of alternative methods of transportation within the campus bicycle lanes encourages the use of zero-emission transportation methods; and

WHEREAS, California State Universities such as San Jose, Stanislaus, and Sacramento have appropriately and safely encouraged the regulations of bicycles and skateboards on campus; and

WHEREAS, the University Senate Resolution for Sustainability passed on April 10, 2007 supports that alternative methods of transportation on campus directly influences sustainable practices and the carbon neutrality of the University; and 

WHEREAS,  the A.S. and SDSU will continue to pursue their active commitment to sustainability; now therefore be it

RESOLVED,  the A.S. calls for SDSU President Elliot Hirshman to amend the University’s Police Code Section 100.02 entitled “Bicycle and Skateboard Regulations,” to allow alternative methods of transportation within existing and possible future designated bicycle lanes on campus; and further be it

RESOLVED,  alternative methods of transportation shall comply with the additional regulations created and marketed in collaboration with the AS; and further be it 

RESOLVED,  the A.S. will assist in coordinating and executing a marketing campaign that will educate the campus community on the proper and safe use of alternative methods of transportation at SDSU; and further be it

RESOLVED,  this resolution is to be distributed widely including, but not limited to the SDSU President Elliot Hirshman, SDSU University Senate, the Enviro-Business Society, the SDSU Environment and Safety Committee, the SDSU Senate Sustainability Committee, the College Area Community Council, and the City of San Diego including Council Member Jim Madaffer.