UNM Parking & Transportation Services (PATS) recently announced the winners of a new “Lobo Bikes” departmental bike-share program. PATS had 10 bikes to loan to 10 departments for a year. Seventy UNM departments entered the free drawing.
Photo: PATS director Clovis Acosta selects the first Lobo Bike winner, assisted by Rhonda Miranda of Employee Health Promotion Program.
The recipients are:
· Bursar's Office
· UNM Psychiatric Center - Case Management
· Speech & Hearing Sciences
· ATR Institute
· Army ROTC
· Emergency Medicine
· VP for Community Health
· College Enrichment Program
· Health Exercise & Sports Sciences
· Media Technology Services
Lobo Bikes can be used to run errands on campus, attend meetings, or exercise during breaks. The program is funded by a UNM World of Wellness Mini-Grant and is intended to enhance the health and well-being of employees at UNM.
“As employees become healthier, their productivity increases,” said Cynthia Martin, PATS Program Planning Manager. “Studies have shown workplace wellness initiatives reduce absenteeism and stress, lead to greater employee retention, and overall enhance employee satisfaction.”
In addition to the wellness benefits, Lobo Bikes was also intended to contribute to the larger university-wide goal of environmental responsibility.
“A bicycle is a short-cut and reduces traffic congestion around campus. Using a Lobo Bike can both reduce emissions and greenhouse gases, and also get you where you need to go with more efficiency,” Martin said, referring to the limited parking available on campus.
Christine Mermier, acting manager of the Employee Health Promotion Program added, “the great thing about it is you are not only being more efficient for your job by getting across campus a little faster, but it’s fun and it makes you feel good.”
The winning departments will receive their Lobo Bikes after they send a representative to attend the required bicycle safety course being held at the beginning of April.
For more information visit the Lobo Bikes page from http://pats.unm.edu or contact Danielle Gilliam at 277-0461 or dgilliam@parking.unm.edu.
Media Contact: Benson Hendrix, (505) 277-1816; e-mail: bhendrix@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at April 2, 2008 05:24 PM