UFV launches active transportation hub ahead of GoByBike Week
The University of the Fraser Valley is supporting sustainable commuting for staff, students, and faculty with the creation of an active transportation hub on the Abbotsford campus.
The hub is located in Building F (the former home of University House), nestled between the library (Building G) and parking lot 10, near the new student housing building. It offers secure storage for bikes, scooters, e-bikes, and e-scooters, with 24/7 access, security camera monitoring, and secure entry using your campus card. Amenities include showers, changerooms, and a bike repair station.
As UFV is located in a rainy region, providing a safe, secure, and dry facility to park the bikes is important. The facility also gives bike users a space to clean up or change before class, or work.
“The Active Transportation Hub gives students a secure and convenient place to store their bikes and scooters while on campus,” said Cameron Roy, director of ancillary services. “We hope this new space encourages more students to choose active ways of getting to and from campus.”
A form to use the active transportation hub is available here.
The hub is likely to be busy from May 31 to June 5 as UFV participates in this spring’s GoByBike week.
The university has several activities planned in collaboration with Cycle Chilliwack, GoByBike BC, and Pacific Pathways that are free to attend and open to the public.
A bikepacking demonstration is on the calendar for Monday, June 1, from 1-2:30 pm at the UFV Chilliwack library. Kristen and P.L. Meindertsma have bikepacked 20,000 kilometers across three continents. They’ll bring fully loaded bikes to their presentation and walk guests through the gear they use to complete their trips and highlighting how their travels have impacted their view of biking infrastructure and sustainability.
Refreshments will be provided, and there will be door prizes for folks who register here and track their bike rides through www.gobybikebc.ca/chilliwack.
A Beginner Bike Basics workshop will take place on Thursday, June 4, from 11 am to noon in the covered space next to the agricultural centre on the UFV Chilliwack campus.
Mark Stewart, head mechanic from Restorative Cycle, will lead the workshop, which is geared towards those who want to learn the very basics of fun and safe cycling — from hand signals and where to ride along roads, to lights and reflectors, to pumping up your tires and oiling your chain.
Participants don’t need to bring a bike, but if they do, they can join a relaxing five-kilometre group ride afterwards (12-1 pm) along the Vedder River rotary trail, a flat gravel path away from vehicle traffic that is ideal for helping new cyclists build confidence on their bike.
UFV’s Trishaw Rides team will also be in attendance to showcase the Cycling without Age Program, offering rides on their trishaw bike that allow seniors to enjoy the ride, without having to worry about pedaling or balance. Trishaw rides are limited to two passengers at a time. Please click this link to pre-book a ride.
This event will be followed by snacks and drinks. Email carolyn.putt@gmail.com to register for the gathering on June 4.
You can check out Cycle Chilliwack for more local cycling events that are happening this spring.
“At UFV, we recognize the importance of promoting alternatives to cars as modes of transportation,” says Doran Hoge, UFV’s director of energy and environmental sustainability. “Travelling by bicycle is good for the environment, and good for our health. So, we in the Office of Sustainability are happy to collaborate with community partners on Spring GoByBike week. Together, we can accomplish so much more than we can by acting alone. While providing new opportunities to our employees and students, we are also excited to welcome our wider community to the campus for events that highlight why biking is such a healthy, sustainable and enjoyable mode of transportation.”
