Bicycle riders may have a place to ride without the hassle of dodging pedestrians and the struggle of competing with cars for road space.

Lisa Loch, chairwoman of the Undergraduate Student Government bike path committee, and her fellow committee members recently presented a proposal to David Stormer, assistant vice president for University safety and environmental resources, and the transport and parking demand management committee.

"This has been an historic problem for 31 years, it's needed and it's necessary," Loch said about the bicycle path plan.

Students have been waiting a long time for bicycle paths. An article in the Daily Collegian on April 27, 1962, announced the beginning of bicycle path construction. In May 1962, another article said the construction would begin as soon as paths were designed and there was enough funding. Nothing has happened since, but things are being done now to change this.

The USG proposal calls for a $3-5 user fee, which would be paid when registering a bicycle, to pay for construction and signs.

Stormer said the idea fits very nicely into the plans of the transport and parking demand management committee.

"The proposal fits in with our plans. There are some differences in location and connections," Stormer said.

User fees are a very good approach to the cost, he added.

"The parts of the proposal that did not require a lot of construction and policy would be implemented immediately," Stormer said, adding the other parts of the proposal will have to wait until a budget is established.

Wayne Weaver, a University Police Services supervisor, agreed that bicycle paths are necessary.

"I believe there is a need for bike paths through the center of campus," Weaver said.

In the past three years, there has been one pedestrian/bicycle-related accident and 17 vehicle/bicycle-related accidents reported, he said.

Many bicyclers also say there is a need for bicycle paths.

Amy Dodson (sophomore-management information systems) said bicycle paths are a good idea.

"When we ride on the sidewalk, pedestrians don't like it," Dodson said. "When we ride on the roads, vehicles don't understand that bikes are considered vehicles too. They don't know how to deal with us."

Krista Nelson (sophomore-marketing and international business) said she will use the bicycle paths if they are in a direct route to where she is going.

"Bike paths are a good idea, they'll help relieve the conflicts," Nelson added.

Former USG President Rob Kampia said he liked the proposal.

"The proposal was good. But it is such a low priority for the administration, they won't give it the attention that it needs. It's really tough for them," he said.

Bicycle paths were part of Kampia's platform when he ran for president, but he said he did not have time to personally attend to the matter.