Promoting Bicycle Commuting on Campus Promoting Bicycle Commuting on Campus Joe Slade Georgia Institute of Technology LCI #2088

Why ride a bicycle to work? Challenges and misconceptions about bicycle commuting Advantages of bicycle commuting on a college campus. Promoting bicycle commuting on campus: Practical suggestions Overview

Environment: Reduce pollutants Reduce sprawl Encourages awareness of bicycling as a means of transportation Economic Benefits: Lower health care costs Reduces need for automobile ownership / maintenance & fuel costs Quality of Life: Physical Fitness Mental health Increased productivity Livable communities Save time over commuting and exercising separately IT'S FUN! Benefits of Bicycle Commuting Inverse association between physical inactivity and mental health, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 38(1).

Misconceptions: Fitness / Difficulty Photos courtesy of Rivendell Bicycle Works, Copenhagen Cycle Chic

Carrying Things to Work Queen Bee Panniers R.E. Load Messenger bag L.L. Bean Backpack Burley Bicycle Trailer

Be Presentable Smelling Nice Shower before you leave home Allow time to cool down, potentially change Leave clean clothes & toiletries at the office Shower after you get to work This is one major benefit of working in higher ed—many of us have access to a gym/shower. Looking Good If your commute is short & weather nice, just wear work clothes on the bike. Otherwise, consider leaving a week’s worth of clothes at the office. Perhaps drive in on the weekends or M/F to drop off & pick up. Some health clubs offer shower & locker only monthly fees (cheap).

Common Crash Causes

Advantages to bicycle commuting on a college campus Community of people who are potentially interested in sustainability We tend to have access to secure bike parking on campus Generally easy access to a gym with showers Easy form of affordable, sustainable transportation for students A captive, idealistic population! We can serve as role models and influence a generation of students!

Promoting bicycle commuting on a college campus 1.Remove potential barriers 2.Outreach 3.Education

Removing Institutional Barriers to Bicycling Campus Master Plan Traffic flow & patterns Language—is it a roadway “improvement” for all types of users, or only motor vehicle operators? Are bicycle lanes or sharrows and footpaths included? Is there a campus / community Bicycle Master Plan? What is the availability of bicycle racks and lockers? Are the racks in good condition and easy to use? Are the campus safety officers familiar with local bicycle codes? Do officers on bicycles follow laws?

Outreach Students Student groups focused on sustainability Administration Human Resources (Bicycle Commuter Benefit) Parking & Transportation (Alternative Transportation) Facilities—Racks Campus Sustainability Officers (Bicycle Friendly University) Faculty / Staff Current Bicycle Commuters Potential Bicycle Commuters Spin classes, people who live nearby, gym members

More Outreach Current Bicycle Commuters Focus Groups How can we improve campus facilities / climate for bicycle commuting?  How can we otherwise promote bicycle commuting as a viable option to potential commuters? Weekly / Monthly Sponsored Breakfasts Community Organizations Bicycling Organizations Sustainability Organizations

Education League of American Bicyclists Classes Participants are 5 times less likely to be involved in a crash Lunch & Learns Many of our campuses already sponsor various brown-bags Reach out to departments on campus and offer free presentations Consider passive marketing campaigns Many people are taught to ride on the sidewalk or against traffic These are two leading causes of bicycle collisions Place flyers with state / local laws near bicycle racks Educate not only people who want to ride, but people who drive, especially as part of their work on campus

Additional Resources The League of American Bicyclists – To learn more about bike commuting: – – Evaluations & Questions –