Petition to Improve Bike Racks of Monta Vista High School April 25th, 2012 Petition to Improve Bike Racks

of Monta Vista High School Dear Ms. April Scott, We, the undersigned students and teachers of Monta Vista High School, petition the school administration to redesign, renovate, or restructure the bike racks and/or the paths leading to the bike racks located between the A-building and the B-building. It might be noted that perhaps there is a reason that some students prefer to lock their bikes to the fences despite the multiple signs that read No Chaining Bikes to Fences. As a high school with the purported intention of supporting environmentally-friendly habits, improving the experience of students who choose to bike rather than drive may be one way to further the idea of going green. I. Problems: A. To first arrive at the bike racks, the bike, which can weigh more than 30 pounds, must be either (1) lifted up a set of stairs or (2) pushed up a steep dirt path (the latter of which is perhaps even more challenging.) B. To park and lock the bike in the middle of the bike rack, the bike must be lifted above ones shoulders so that the biker can even attempt to walk to the middle of the rack (see Figure 1.) II. Consequences: A. Back pain, wrist pain, and other health problems associated with lifting heavy items on a daily basis B. Bruised calves, shins, and the occasional thighs, from the impact of the bike pedals as the bike is lifted C. A general dread of having to bike to school, and thus more incentive to drive

III.

Data/Facts A. Bikes ridden by Monta Vista students can range from approximately 64.5 inches to 67.5 inches in length B. The distances between bike racks fail to accommodate for necessary walking space (see Figure 2.)

Petition to Improve Bike Racks of Monta Vista High School

Cannot walk through to park bike in inner racks

Bike

Bike

Must lift bike above shoulders to maneuver bike into inner slots

Figure 1. A birds-eye-view diagram of the faulty design/structure of the bike racks, which causes the problem identified in Section I, Part B. Not drawn to scale.

127 inches

100 inches

163 inches (good distance)

Figure 2. Birds-eye-view diagram of the spacing between bike racks. Note that distance between certain bike racks is less than twice the length of an average bicycle. Not drawn to scale.

Petition to Improve Bike Racks of Monta Vista High School Print Name Signature Have biked/regularly bike to school () Monta Vista Student () Monta Vista Staff ()

Petition to Improve Bike Racks of Monta Vista High School Print Name Signature Have biked/regularly bike to school () Monta Vista Student () Monta Vista Staff ()

Petition to Improve Bike Racks of Monta Vista High School Print Name Signature Have biked/regularly bike to school () Monta Vista Student () Monta Vista Staff ()

Petition to Improve Bike Racks of Monta Vista High School