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May 3, 2021

Welcome to the first issue of Green Commuter, an e-newsletter from the Department of Transportation and Parking Management at the University of Rochester. Read on to find sustainable transportation news, upcoming events, and more!

You are receiving this communication as you have previously expressed interest in sustainable transportation at the University of Rochester. If you no longer wish to receive these communications, you can unsubscribe by clicking here.

May is National Bike Month

If you love to bike or want to learn to bike, May is the month for you! The League of American Bicyclists sponsors National Bike Month every May to showcase the many benefits of cycling and to encourage more people to get on a bicycle. We’ll be celebrating ways to get out and ride all month. Join us in celebrating by showing ways to #BikeThere. Read on to learn about Bike to Work Day on Monday, May 10 and other bike-related fun!

3 Ways to Get Pumped for Spring Biking

The warmer weather is here, which means it’s the perfect time to get out on two wheels. To help you get excited for the biking season we’ve compiled a list of 3 fun ideas for getting ready and raring to go.

1. Take a free bike class.

May is National Bike Month and whether you’re pedaling your first mile or every mile from home to work or school, there’s no denying that bike riding is a fun and healthy way to commute. You can celebrate all month with a series of free, virtual biking education classes offered throughout the riding season. Learn to fix a flat, be safe on two wheels—or even learn to ride! Classes are held from noon to 1 p.m., with time for questions at the end.

May Classes
How to Fix a Flat & Other Bike Maintenance - May 12
Learn to Ride - May 25

All members of the University community are invited to attend the classes, which are hosted by the Department of Transportation and Parking Management. Registration is required.

2. Meet fellow bike enthusiasts.

Chat with fellow cyclists and (safely) grab a free snack on Monday, May 10 during Bike to Work Day, an annual free celebration of bicycling as a fun, healthy, and environmentally-friendly way to get to work. The day will be celebrated with a pit stop hosted jointly by the Rochester Cycling Alliance, Reconnect Rochester, and the University at the cycle track on Elmwood Avenue, across from the main hospital entrance. Even if you’re working from home that day, get exercise by biking to the pit stop and then back home to work for the day. Swing by, fuel up, and talk cycling with our dedicated volunteers any time between 7:30-9:00 a.m.

Wondering where you can safely store your bike at work? There are two fully enclosed, secure bike stations located inside the main Hospital Garage, with one on Jackson Drive (re-opening May 7) and the other on East Drive.

For $40, bike commuters can purchase a permit to either bike station, which comes with 24/7 access, space saver bike racks, self-service bike repair stations, and cameras for added security.

Permits for the bike stations can be purchased through the Transportation and Parking Management Center at 70 Goler House during regular business hours or at the Parking Office inside the main hospital garage after business hours.

3. Explore nearby biking trails.

Image: las-initially/Flickr

A bike ride along a peaceful and scenic trail makes bicycling all the more fun. The City of Rochester makes it easy to get started with a detailed trail and biking map. Below is information about the three trails near the River Campus and Medical Center: the Genesee Riverway Trail, Erie Canal Trail, and Lehigh Valley Trail.

Genesee Riverway Trail
The Genesee Riverway Trail (GRT) extends through the scenic, historic, and cultural heart of Rochester, from the Erie Canal to downtown and Lake Ontario. It provides pedestrian access to the Genesee River—including its scenic gorge and three waterfalls—plus eight pedestrian bridges and eleven parks, four of which were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. GRT links nine historic districts and is labeled with a system of wayfinding and interpretive signs to encourage and guide public use. Most of the trail is paved and easily accessible. Steep, rough, or narrow sections of the trail are clearly marked. Download the Genesee Riverway and Trail Guide (PDF).

Erie Canal Trail
The Erie Canal Trail connects directly to the Genesee Riverway Trail. It’s a great way to access the University of Rochester from many western, eastern, and southern (via the Lehigh Valley Trail) suburbs. It is a recreation trail that spans the entire state. See maps and information on the Erie Canal Trail.

Lehigh Valley Trail
This 15-mile linear trail park is located in the southern-most portion of Monroe County, beginning at the Genesee River and extending through the towns of Rush and Mendon to the Ontario County line, and extending north to the town of Henrietta. See a map and information about the Lehigh Valley Trail (PDF)

New Bike Rack with Solar-Powered Lighting

As spring is in bloom and the snow is melting away, bicycles are being seen more frequently on campus. University community members can now utilize two new bike rack installments. One is located beside the Computer Studies Building and the other on Library Road alongside the electric charging station for vehicles.

The new installation project was prompted by the successful bike cage located on the ground level of the Medical Center parking garage. Various bicycles have been seen stored in the cage including those owned by students and medical staff. Unlike traditional bike racks, the bike cage and new installments on the River Campus store bikes vertically which saves space and allows for easier access.

The bike shelter on Library Road, located next to the Goergen Athletic Center (pictured above), provides 40 vertical bike slots and 10 ground bike slots. The over-sized roof structure protects bicycle enthusiasts from adverse weather conditions. In addition, lighting is powered by the solar energy collected from the panels placed on top.

Read more in The Green Dandelion

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