Four students walk along a campus pathway, one pushing a bicycle.

UM students and staff participate in popular summer sustainability events.

Reduce emissions – and get active – with Commuter Challenge and Bike to Work Day

Participate in sustainability events starting June 2

May 28, 2024 —

UM is again participating in two popular summer sustainability events – Commuter Challenge (June 2-8) and Bike to Work Day (June 11). All UM students, staff and faculty are encouraged to participate.

“These events align with UM’s Climate Action Plan commitments, which focus on cutting our greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050,” says Whitney Crooks, Climate Action Plan project manager with the Office of Sustainability. “Commuting is the second largest source of emissions at the university, and one of our goals under the Transportation pillar is to shift commute modes.”

Register today for the Commuter Challenge!

Participants are encouraged to register online, track their kilometers of sustainable transportation modes such as carpooling, biking, walking, taking public transit or working from home, and enter to win prizes. If you already commute using one of these methods, you can still register to participate.

If you are looking for someone to carpool with, check out the UM-specific carpool matching site at Go Manitoba which can help you find someone else interested in carpooling to UM.

Bike to Work Day

Tune up your bike and grab a sturdy U-lock for Bike to Work Day, coordinated by Bike Week Winnipeg.

What: UM Bike to Work Day pit stops
When: Tuesday, June 11, 6:30 – 9 AM
Where: Southwest Rapid Transit Path, Markham Rd @ University Cres; and Kings Drive entrance, Freedman Cres @ Kings Dr

Stop by two UM pit stops, hosted by the Office of Sustainability, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management and UMCycle Bike Kiosk, for a chance to win prizes and grab some snacks. The pit stops are a great way to connect with other bike commuters and celebrate active modes of transportation.

Secure bike parking

Whether you are taking part in Bike to Work Day or want to ride your bike during the Commuter Challenge, UM has secure bike parking on both campuses, and is expanding those options to help remove barriers to cycling, says Crooks.

There is a new bike cage on the Bannatyne campus. Together with the existing Bannatyne bike cage, there is now a capacity for about 120 bikes on that campus.

The bike cage at the Fort Garry campus parkade can accommodate between 80 to 100 bikes. Plus, a new bike cage is opening soon at the Active Living Centre that will accommodate 30 more bikes.

If you have questions, please contact the office of sustainability at sustainability@umanitoba.ca.

Office of Sustainability

active transportation, campus community, Faculty and Staff, Office of Sustainability, Students, Things to Know, transportation

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