Despite the cold weather during Bicycling at UB Awareness Day on Monday, many clubs and bike enthusiasts gathered to exercise their choice to use biking as an alternate form of transportation.
The effort was initiated by the Outdoor Adventure Club in conjunction with various other campus groups and organizations, according to Alex Kitt, president of the Outdoor Adventure Club.
Organizations hosting the event stationed tables along the double sidewalk outside Furnas Hall to encourage students to take advantage of services UB provides for bicyclists. Healthy snacks and informational brochures were provided to participants.
Bicyclists could register their bikes and take part in the expedition to the Governors Complex from Furnas Hall to showcase the number of people who bike on campus.
"Basically what we are trying to do is raise bike awareness. To do that, we just have bikers going from this spot (outside of Furnas Hall) to Governors," Kitt said.
According to Kitt, showing the number of bicyclists helps UB officials determine whether or not it is a significant campus issue.
Halfway through the event, between 15 and 20 bicyclists had participated in the ride between Furnas and Governors, according to James Simon, associate environmental educator for UB Green.
There are several issues concerning bicycling on campus that need attention, namely security of bicycle racks and the ineffective situation of the racks throughout campus, Kitt said.
"Security of bike racks is a problem," he said. "The second thing is the amount of bike racks on campus is not well spread enough; there are certain bike racks that have a large density."
"Bicycling Awareness Day was designed to encourage people to be more vocal about issues concerning bicycling," Kitt said. "We feel that there are a few things that need to be improved. By raising awareness and having more people agree upon these things, we can fix the problem."
To create a record of bicycles on campus in case a bike is lost or stolen, registration was recommended to student bicyclists. Lye Theng Lock, a graduate student studying chemical and biological engineering, registered her bike during Bicycling Awareness Day just in case something happens to it while on campus.
"I came to this event because I want to help promote biking at UB. I bike because it saves gas and it is more convenient," Lock said.
Information about the Buffalo Blue Bicycle program was also available through representatives from Parking and Transportation Services.
BBB is a community bicycle-lending program that provides those traveling to and from UB campuses a chance to rent a bicycle, according to Renee Giacomazza of Parking and Transportation Services. There are six stations between North and South Campus.
Money or volunteer hours, during which people help fix bikes, are accepted as payment.
"They can give six hours of volunteer time or $25 for membership to rent a bike," Giacomazza said. "We have maps of where all the bicycle racks are on campus."
The UB Environmental Network and UB Green also participated in the event.
Emily Diblasi, a senior biological sciences major and secretary of the UB Environment Network, said the club was present to help enhance bike awareness on campus because it is an important cause.
"Bicycles release no emissions, and it is a safe and effective way to contribute," Diblasi said.
Simon provided information to students about biking on campus. The event was a good start to increasing the use of bicycles at UB, he said.
"(Bicycling) is easier than you think. There are a lot of great opportunities and you don't have to get all sweaty and take a shower after you ride your bike on campus," Simon said. "You can check out a bike from a Blue Bicycle Hub and ride your bike to class, throw your bike on the bus and ride between campuses."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
