<p>Okay, I’m GT, and this year I’ve seen a lot of people on my campus cruising around on bicycles, and after hearing about the “hills” at Cornell and stuff, I think I’d like to bring one too at Cornell. However, last night my parents (and I guess me too) brought up the the following questions:</p>
<li><p>How do you bring the bike to campus? Do you buy the bike in Ithaca at a store, buy online and have them ship, etc.? I’m in Southern California, and I don’t think that bringing a bicycle as check-in luggage on an airplane is feasible.</p></li>
<li><p>Considering Ithaca’s “brutal” winters and weather conditions, is it relatively safe to use a bicycle year-round? Any “black ice” that could lead to dangerous skidding and loss of control on paths and hills? I don’t want to crash. And can you still use one safely with all the thick winter clothing on?</p></li>
<li><p>What to do during winter break and summer vacation? Do you guys ship it back home or what? Leave it there on campus?</p></li>
<li><p>Are bicycle thefts common? At the school where I’m at right now, it seems to be pretty common, and I see a lot of bikes where the wheel which was locked to the bike rack is still attached, but the rest of the bike (frame, etc.) was stolen. </p></li>
<li><p>Are bicycles necessary? As much as I love cars, I’ve read that bringing a car is pretty useless unless you want to go shopping or whatnot. It seems a lot of CC members here recommend bringig a bicycle. Do I need one, or is walking okay?</p></li>
<li><p>Any bike/brand recommendations? Appropriate price ranges? Granted, I have not used a bike in a really long time (the one in the garage is WAY too small for me to use, haha), so I’m not familiar with the best brands out there and prices. I do think my old one is a “Trek”. </p></li>
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<p>Sorry for all these questions! Thanks a bunch.</p>
<p>I brought my bike this year and ive only used it once so far cuz i told myself i need to use it. I live on west and have class on central which means going up libe slope and ive never had the urge at 8 or 9 in the morning to whip out my bike and pedal really hard up libe slope. Who knows tho maybe I'm not utilizing it as much as i should.</p>
<p>The tour guides and a lot of other students I talked to said that bringing a bike isn't very ideal with the hilly terrain Cornell is on. I guess going downhill would be fun, but imagine pedaling up those steep slopes....</p>
<p>Depends on where the majority of your classes are and where you're staying though I guess.</p>
<p>As a transfer, you'll be living in Hasbrouk apartments, which are about 5 minutes further than regular freshman housing on North Campus. It will take you around 15 - 20 minutes to walk to class; and that's only if it's in or around the arts quad. </p>
<p>As a freshman living on North, I find the 15 minute walk extremely annoying. I also have my PE class even further from my dorm, and the 20 minute walk back from that is very aggravating. So I bought a bike last week, and now getting around campus is a cinch. Pedaling up Libe Slope is annoying, but it's still faster than walking up Libe Slope. And once you get to the top, you have a bike!</p>
<p>As for purchasing a bike, wait till you get to Cornell and then buy it on Craig's List. Much easier than buying and then lugging.</p>
<p>Check the crime logs at Cornell. Alot of bikes have been stolen so make sure to secure it. The Cornell police said many times kids come up from the town of Ithaca and steal them.He told me it is very difficult to find them because the student doesn't have the serial number written down anywhere. Keep all the info about the bike somewhere safe in case you need it. A lot of the bikes stolen are very expensive bikes. I don't think I would get the best bike to ride around Cornell campus.</p>