August 28, 2012 — Bike to the U Day is Thursday, Aug. 30 at the University of Utah and all faculty, staff and students are encouraged to cycle to campus to support the University’s commitment to bicycle commuting. Coffee and bagels will be provided from 6:00 a.m. to10:00 a.m. at several campus locations including Presidents Circle, Marriott Library Plaza, South Campus TRAX Station and the Peterson Heritage Center.
Bike to the U Day, hosted by the U’s Commuter Services, coincides with the U’s first home football game of the season against Northern Colorado at Rice-Eccles Stadium at 5:15 p.m., so cycling makes even more sense considering the crowds expected on campus.
For cyclists attending the game, a bicycle valet service—new this year—will be offered on the south side of Rice-Eccles Stadium. The service will be managed by the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective in partnership with Commuter Services. The bike collective is experienced in providing valet service and has a great reputation with local cyclists. The free service begins at 4:00 p.m.
“The stadium seats 46,000 people yet has just 12 parking spaces for bikes,” says Heidi Goedhart, the U’s bicycle coordinator, “so in an effort to reduce the vehicle parking demands, we are encouraging game attendees to use the valet service to efficiently and conveniently park their bikes.”
Earlier in the day, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the U’s weekly farmers market on Tanner Plaza (located at the west end of the University Union Building), will have a bicycle theme with repair and commuting advice from the Campus Bike Shop. Campus police will be on hand to register bicycles and give away kryptonite U-Locks while supplies last, and Commuter Services will host an information table with free tee-shirts, ice cream, bicycle blinky lights and helmets. Local bike shops Wild Rose and Velo City Bags will offer products for sale.
At 11:00 a.m., Luke Garrott, member of the Salt Lake City Council, Myron Willson, director of the U’s Office of Sustainability, and Goedhart will offer remarks on the benefits of biking.
“It’s important for bicycle commuters to know that bicycle-related services are available on campus,” says Goedhart, “and that the University supports bicycle commuting for students, staff and faculty.”
To learn more about bicycling efforts at the U, and to participate in the conversation, visit Bike the University of Utah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BikeToTheUofu.
