This summer, the Office of Sustainability, in partnership with Parking and Transportation Services, organized a series of Commuter Resource Fairs, featuring services and service providers that support employees who carpool, bike or walk to work.
According to the Mobility Survey conducted in 2016 by an interdisciplinary team of students, faculty and staff, 28% of WashU students and 10% of faculty ride their bikes to the University on a daily basis. This event provides an opportunity for current and prospective bike commuters to get their bikes tuned up… for free!
Not an alternative commuter yet? Visit with the Alternative Transportation Coordinator to learn more about your options and develop a customized plan. You can also visit with service providers and vendors who can explain ways to make your alternative mode of transit more safe, convenient, and comfortable.
For those who commute by bike, take advantage of free bike tune ups. Come early to get your bike in line for service.* Velofix, a mobile bike shop that provides repair services for every kind of bike, will be onsite to help. This locally operated company has creatively managed to fit a whole repair station in the back of a van! Within these few cubic meters, Francesca DeRanzo, owner and operator of the local Velofix shop, performs repairs and shares basic maintenance tips that will extend the life of the bike and increase safety.
In addition to free tune-ups, the Office of Sustainability is happy to invite representatives from Citizens for Modern Transit, Madison County Transit/RideFinders, and Metro, who are present to inform the WashU community about regional carpooling services and public transportation support. Thanks to Metro, visitors have the opportunity to test out the front-mounted bike racks equipped on every MetroBus. You won’t believe how easy it is!
For those who own a bike, this event provides a “one stop shop” to register with the WashU Police Department. Bike registration makes it easier to recover lost or stolen bikes, and can even deter potential thieves. WUPD also offers discounted Kryptonite U-Locks to owners of registered bikes, which provide a higher level of security than a lightweight cable or a small chain that can usually be easily pried open or cut.
Cherry on top, the Office of Sustainability is awarding t-shirts to employees who gave up parking permits this year; giving away free bells, maps and guides; and putting on a delicious show with The Smoothie Bike: the harder you pedal, the smoother your drink will be!
The Commuter Resource Fairs in June and July have been great fun, with 60 bikes tuned-up thus far! We hope to welcome more members of the WashU community at our last Fair of the summer on August 10, 11am-2pm on the north side of the Danforth University Center.
*Due to limited slots for tune-ups, free tune-ups are available first-come, first-serve for WashU employees. Tune-ups cover basic maintenance only; bike owners may be referred to a bike shop if repair needs do not fit within the scope of the basic tune-up. New format for repair scheduling: leave your bike for repair and receive a text when it is ready for pick up. In the mean time, visit with vendors, enjoy a smoothie from the smoothie bike, or grab lunch. Bikes will only be checked in for tune ups until 1:30 pm or up to 18 bikes. We cannot guarantee service for bikes brought after 1:30 pm or after the 18th slot is full.