STAFF EDIT: Not an open-door policy

Boston University students can add a new word to their vocabulary: doored. It is a verb commonly used by students traveling down Commonwealth Avenue by bicycle. The proper way to use it in a sentence would run, "I was almost doored on my way to class today." The Commonwealth Avenue Improvement Project has certainly beautified the campus, but it has also brought bicyclists' safety into question.

Adding bike lanes to the main street of a busy, urban campus is a good idea that probably should have happened sooner. With the rising cost of fuel, coasting into the office or class on a 10-speed has gained more and more appeal each year.

Unfortunately, this good idea is quite literally coming up short. The new bike safety lanes abruptly end at the BU bridge. This causes bicyclists to suddenly find themselves sandwiched between cars and in a possibly dangerous situation. Car, truck and even hybrid drivers have to stay aware of their non-motor counterparts. The university has even acknowledged that BU Bridge is the most dangerous intersection on campus. So why not keep the "safety" lanes going down Commonwealth Avenue?

Bicyclists may also notice a lack of respect when it comes to parking. Oftentimes cars will horde their four wheel drive beast into the new bike lanes. Not only does it cause bicyclists to swerve back into traffic, it raises the chances of getting "doored" when the unsuspecting driver decides to leave the vehicle. Park in metered parking spaces so bicyclists can have their safety.

This lack of respect, however, can flow both ways. Bicyclists need to follow traffic lights just like motorists do. Motorists will never want to see you as an equal on the road if you don't act like it. Pedestrians have to keep their eyes open, too. Just because a car isn't zooming towards you doesn't mean that that guy on the bike can't hit you.

The bike lanes were created for safety. It needs to be proven that adding safety lanes will actually make a difference as opposed to not having safety lanes. Adding traffic lights, specifically for bicyclists, could be the answer. Even cutting into sidewalks for bicyclists' own lanes could improve safety. There is still nearly a mile of Commonwealth Avenue in need of improvement, and the government should consider these options for the sake of public safety.

Until the state is able to drudge up enough money for either of those options, however, commuters on whatever means of transportation they choose should be aware and be safe. Don't get doored and don't door anyone.