The recent organization of the Wandering Weevil Wheels Program, instigated by Gary Marshall, professor of speech communication, sparked several points of interest on the University of Arkansas – Monticello campus.  

   Recent inquiries regarding bicycle safety rules on campus and the possibility of offering a Driver’s Safety Course came to the attention of the UAM Public Safety Department. 

   According to UAM Chief John Kidwell, rules for bicycling follow the same guidelines as rules of the road for other vehicles. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way. When riding on campus turn signals should be used, which means one must have knowledge of hand signals. The rules prohibit passing bicyclist when approaching double-yellow lines. Kidwell added the department encourages all bicyclists to wear helmets. 

   The chief said the department does not currently offer a Driver’s Safety Course, although the course has been offered in the past. He said if interest increases the department would willingly offer a course.  

    “The more bikes, the better,” Kidwell said. “It definitely will provide for a healthier traffic environment.” 

   Safety precautions offered by the National Sierra Club include planning your route carefully. Don’t assume that the shortest most direct route is the best. Look for low traffic streets that don’t have a lot of busses and trucks. If you must ride on busy streets, use those with wide lanes. Multiple-lanes or one-way streets offer safer travel. 

   Be aware and assume that drivers don’t see you. Constantly check traffic all around you so you can spot trouble before it happens. Do everything you can to make yourself visible. Drivers who don’t see you pose the greatest danger. 

   Several UAM faculty and staff members currently commute to campus by bike. Assistant Professor Robert “red hawk” Moore said riding a bike in our community provokes danger because the area offers no provisions for bikes. Moore wears an orange vest and a blue helmet for safety precautions. A brightly colored five-foot tall flag towers above him when he rides, and he uses a loud horn when needed. Moore rides to and from campus, a total of 10 miles a day two or three times a week.  

Photo by Nancy Stephan

Fix-up Workshop -Ambassadors Stephen Cagle and Esbeida Arce start dismantling their adopted bicycle.

    “This routine continues my training for teaching by keeping my energy levels high,” Moore said. “Biking also contributes to energy conservation, since none of our natural resources become wasted on building or running automobiles.” Moore wants something left here for his kids and grandchildren. “When they ask me what I have done I can answer them, I did this!” 

    “We all need to become more conscious as a society and create more bike paths in our community and across the country,” Moore said. “Bike awareness is the wave of the future.” 

   The surge in gas prices in past months caused many commuters to search for a cheaper means to travel to and around campus, which included carpooling, walking and bike riding. 

   Several UAM students banned together to support a cheaper and easier means of transportation. Groups from various organizations such as the Journalism Club and the Ambassadors along with members from the Creative Society and Institute Management Accounting adopted a bike, also known as Wandering Weevil Wheels. The students committed to making repairs, giving the bikes a face lift, as far as sanding and painting and afterwards, offering it to others for traveling around campus. 

   According to “Buck” Defee, assistant professor of urban and regional science, students met and set up shop Oct. 27 in Jeter Hall. Defee, who has previous experience working with bicycle repair, will oversee the project. Various stages of repair will take place. Some of the bikes need extensive work for example, repairing brake pads and brake panels, and some will require minor repairs such as lubricating chains.  

Photo by Nancy Stephan

Down to the Frame - Creative Society Choragus Shannon Stivison removes the fender from the frame.

   Students will disassemble the bikes, repaint them and order new parts. The university will supply the tools needed to complete the project. Students will convert the bikes to single speed and in order to enforce safety, add reflectors. When the bikes become mechanically sound the students will release them on campus for student transportation.  

    “Let ’em loose on campus,” Defee said, referring to the resurrected bikes. “I ride my bike to campus everyday. It’s great for your health.” 

   Each club or organization claims full responsibility for the maintenance of the bikes. If a problem occurs, the bike will go to the shop for repairs.  

    “There aren’t any bike shops in town,” Defee said. “We will fix our own with money that has been donated.”  

   Here are some commuting statistics, according to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation: 

• 60 million Americans bicycle at least once per year.
• 25 percent of the U.S. population bicycles.
• Behind tobacco, the leading cause of death among adults is inactivity.
• 61 percent of U.S. adults are overweight. Obesity is second behind tobacco in U.S. health risk factors, contributing 300,000 deaths a year.
• New bicycle commuters can expect to lose 13 pounds their first year of commuting.
• America’s cars and trucks consume 10 percent of the world’s oil supply.
• Trimming one vehicle from your household saves you $340 per month.

  No.1 reason for riding a bike: it’s more fun!