If you’re a bicyclist, you’ll be glad to know that the University of New Mexico Parking and Transportation Services has been working hard to make sure you have your own spot on campus. Over the summer the department has been setting up bike lockers, which will provide bicyclists an enclosed area to safely store their bikes and equipment.
Parking and Transportation Services placed groups of the enclosed lockers at Oñate Hall, Johnson Pool, Ortega Hall and the UNM Hospital AAS center (near the eye clinic) in early June. Currently eight of the 20 lockers that have been placed are in use, and department representatives anticipate that the remaining lockers will be quickly reserved. The department has 20 more lockers that can be located throughout campus.
“We can place lockers throughout the campus, within some limitations,” said Parking and Transportation Services Director Clovis Acosta. “Our customers just need to contact us and let us know which part of campus they would prefer to have their locker. We will then do our best to find an appropriate location in that general area.”
The lockers are constructed of molded fiberglass and reinforced plastic to protect bike and biking equipment from the weather. Lockers are secured to each other in groups and those groups are bolted into the concrete to prevent theft. An eyebolt inside the locker is also drilled into the ground to ensure that the bicycle is secure while it is locked up.
Parking and Transportation Services received the lockers from the City of Albuquerque as part of a grant program designed to encourage bicycling as an alternative mode of transportation. Having secure and convenient bike parking is a crucial factor in encouraging and supporting bike commuting to campus, and the department moved quickly to take part in the grant program. The response from local UNM commuters has been positive and is slowly building as more lockers are reserved for the fall semester.
“Bicyclists are excited to have a secure locker to store their bike and biking gear and protect them from the weather,” said Parking and Transportation Program Planning Manager Cynthia Martin. “Bicycling is a great choice for some campus commuters and bike lockers are one way UNM can support and encourage more people to bike to campus.”
The lockers cost $16 per semester, which covers maintenance and administration fees. For more information about the program, contact Parking and Transportation Services at 277-0461.
Media Contact: Benson Hendrix, (505) 277-1816; e-mail: bhendrix@unm.edu