Bikes not stored on racks will be impounded Nov. 22; Police: Bicycles obstruct sidewalk snow removal
Students who believe a street sign or tree can double as a bike rack should think again.
Beginning Monday, Central Michigan University Police will cut locks and impound any bicycles locked to anything other than a bike rack.
Lt. Cameron Wassman said there are about 100 bikes locked to trees, signs and light posts around campus.
“We waited this long to remove them because it took us a while to see how big of a problem it was becoming,” Wassman said.
Despite an increase in bike racks on campus nearly every summer, Wassman said the number of bicycles inappropriately locked on campus has not decreased nearly as much as police had hoped to see.
“It’s a matter of convenience,” Wassman said. “As a general rule, there is still empty space in the bike racks.”
The bikes need to be removed because they complicate snow removal when locked too close to streets and sidewalks.
Areas need to be cleaned up in preparation for the winter season, according to a CMU Police press release. Bikes must be removed prior to snow removal because they act as obstructions.
If a student’s bike is impounded, it can be retrieved by contacting the department at 774-3081 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“Students should have had their bikes registered with us and/or they need proof of ownership (to get the bikes back),” Wassman said. “We’ll do our best to verify and release the property to the rightful owners.”
Hudsonville senior Alyssa Geerts rides her bike from her apartment to campus every day.
She said people mostly lock their bikes to objects other than the racks because it is more convenient.
“I think sometimes it’s because the bike racks are so full,” she said. “The ones by Grawn can get pretty full later in the day.”
Wassman said all students should register their bikes with CMU Police and secure them with a U-bolt lock, rather than a chain or cable lock. Registration is free and can be done through the department’s website.
