A track was set up covering a length of a couple of metres. There wasn’t much enthusiasm among passing students, but then suddenly it took off. With a blindfold and a walking stick, a volunteer made her way through the parked bicycles.
The Obstacle Run is part of the city campaign #posifiets to not just get more people from Maastricht cycling, but to also point out safe parking. Maastricht University is contributing by setting up orphaned bicycle depots in both Randwyck and the city centre. Students and employees who want to rid themselves of their bicycles (because they prefer to get a Swap rental bicycle, they have completed their exchange programme, are leaving Maastricht for other reasons, or simply because their vehicle is ready for the tip) can dispose of them there.
The search for the exact location of the depot in Randwyck is ongoing, says facility manager Gido Boere. At Tapijn, the old ‘bangers’ will be housed in building A. This is also the location of the Student Sustainability Hub, a breeding place for student initiatives in the field of sustainability, such as Food Coop, Maastricht for Climate, and Precious Plastic Maastricht. Orphaned bicycles in decent shape will be given a second chance after repairs by volunteers from the Fietsbank. It is important that people who want to use the depot first obtain a special label from the receptions in the faculty buildings or service centres. This must then be attached to the bicycle. “This is to prevent other bicycles that happen to be parked there from being removed,” says Boere.
The depot is a new initiative, but the UM has been carrying out these clearing-up campaigns for years. Every couple of months, the bicycle sheds at all kinds of university locations are ‘tidied up’