An estimated nine percent of students, faculty and staff ride their bike to the university everyday. In an effort to recognize Albuquerque’s bicyclists and promote alternative commuting opportunities, the University of New Mexico (UNM) is teaming together with the Student Health Center’s Health Education and Prevention Department to promote International Walk and Bike to School Week. The celebration for Bike to School begins at 10 a.m. on Oct. 7 at the UNM Smith Plaza.
The annual event, which is open to anyone and everyone interested in bicycle commuting, will have representatives from Bike Albuquerque and the office of Transportation Information and Project Facilitation at UNM. Student, faculty, staff and community members will have access to information on the benefits of cycling, bicycle traffic laws, proper helmet usage, bicycle pathways around Albuquerque and other important information about bicycle commuting. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Federal spending of bicycling and walking facilities has grown to more than $416 million, according to the 2003 Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Locally, the Albuquerque City Council has dedicated transportation funds to expand bikeway/trail systems. The Albuquerque metropolitan area has more than 85 miles of paved multi-use trails and hundreds of miles of unpaved trails that are used by bicyclists.
In conjunction with these incentives, the university installed several new bike racks around campus to accommodate its students using alternative forms of transportation. With the continual parking shortages at UNM, bicycle commuting is becoming a reality for many students and faculty members.
“Having a bike is a real help because I was dependent on the bus system for so long. Now I have a much more ‘can-do’ attitude about my transportation, all the while getting myself in shape,” said Arlaina Ash, a student at UNM that commutes to campus everyday by bicycle.
Bike to School Day is an event made possible by the office of Transportation Information/Project Facilitation (TIPF). TIPF is proud to provide UNM students and faculty with information on the variety of riding options for Albuquerque’s bike riding citizens. For more information on bicycling to UNM, log on to Way to Go.
The event is part of a larger UNM incentive to promote campus-wide health awareness. The Student Health Center’s Health Education and Prevention Department (HEPD) strives to encourage healthy lifestyle choices among college students.
The Peer Education Program, a division of HEPD, is responsible for educating students about nutrition, fitness, human sexuality, stress/time management, and alcohol and other drugs. For more information on these programs, contact the Health Education Manager at (505) 277-7947.
Contact: Allie Thompson, (505) 277-7584