The UNMC Office of Sustainability and the Center for Healthy Living will hold an event May 17 from noon to 1 p.m. at the green space by the ice skating rink to offer information about biking in Nebraska.
“From a health and wellness perspective, bicycling is a great form of exercise and enjoyment,” said Kyle Meyer, PhD, dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions. “And of course, it also serves as a functional and sustainable mode of transportation.”
At next week’s event, Vince Asta from Ponderosa Cyclery will talk about bike maintenance, and Julie Harris from Bike Walk Nebraska will share information about bicycling infrastructure in the region.
At 12:30 p.m., guest speakers will give a short presentation, and they will be available during the rest of the lunch hour to answer questions. Information will be available about UNMC’s TravelSmart program and other biking resources, along with an electric bike that riders can test.
Other opportunities available during National Bike Month include:
- Taking part in the EcoChallenge. Participants can track their biking mileage and contribute to the med center’s commuter mileage now through World Environment Day on June 5. If participants have been a part of past EcoChallenges, they will need to leave previous groups. (Click “Edit Profile” in the left sidebar of the sign-up, scroll down, click “Please remove me from this event” and then try the link again). Email Jerrod Bley with questions.
- Joining the TravelSmart program, which provides a variety of resources to support biking to work, including access to secure bike parking, showers, lockers, TravelSmart daily rate flexible parking and the free emergency ride home program.
Commuting to work or other activities by bike reduces pollution, saves money on gas and other car-related expenses and supports a healthy lifestyle.
If everyone who lives fewer than five miles from their workplace rode their bike to work just one day a week, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5 million tons per year, which is the equivalent of removing one million cars from the roads.
Based on the 2022 Sustainability Engagement Survey conducted by the Office of Sustainability, 38% of employees and students live fewer than five miles away from work, but only 2% commute using a bicycle.