The Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability (GES) and the Office of Sustainability are excited to announce several opportunities for employees, students, and community members to help UNCG and Greensboro become a more bicycle-friendly community.
On Friday, October 14 at 3:30 p.m. in Graham 106, the GES Department welcomes Dr. Ralph Buehler from Virginia Tech. He will give a talk entitled “Cycling for more Sustainable Cities.” Dr. Buehler’s presentation will explore how to make city cycling – the most sustainable means of travel – safe, practical, and convenient for all. He will discuss the latest cycling trends and policies around the world and consider specific aspects of cycling to demonstrate that successful promotion of cycling depends on a coordinated package of mutually supportive infrastructure, programs, and policies and that cycling should be made feasible for everyone and not limited to especially fit, daring, well-trained cyclists riding expensive bicycles.
His talk will be available on Zoom for those who cannot attend. Register here.
In that spirit, the Office of Sustainability has partnered with Dr. John Stehlin, GES, and the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department to host a “Slow Roll” group ride of the Downtown Greenway the morning of Dr. Buehler’s visit – he will also join the ride. Participants should gather in near the Alumni House on College Ave. by 9:45 a.m. The ride will start at 10 a.m. and will last approximately 60-90 minutes. This will be a slow ride, nobody will be left behind, and there will be mechanically knowledgeable people on hand to help fix any flats or issues that may occur along the way. Riders will make plenty of stops to learn more about the Greenway and to hear Dr. Buehler’s thoughts on the potential future of cycling in Greensboro.
Helmets are required and participants must provide their own bicycle. Anyone who does not own one can pick up a Blue Duck scooter or e-bike, but please be aware that they are not yet permitted on campus; riders who use those will need to start from Spring Garden.
UNC Greensboro was the first university in North Carolina to recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University from the League of American Bicyclists and has recently applied to be re-certified. To improve our understanding of bicyclists’ experiences on campus we are required to conduct a very brief survey and the input received will help inform our final award decision. All employees, students, and community members are encouraged to participate regardless of bicycling experience or how frequently they ride. The survey closes at midnight on October 16.
