June 2024

Biking is a great way to 1) integrate healthy movement into your day, 2) cut down on air- and noise pollution, 3) improve mental health (they say bike commuters are the happiest commuters), and 4) improve social health.

Bike Month Recap

Group of people and bikes at both the large UVU in the Student Life and Wellness Center Plaza and in front of the UVU ponds

May is National Bike Month and Utah Valley University joined in the celebration. The City of Orem and the local bike advocacy group Bike Orem co-sponsored a "Bike to Work (or Anywhere) Day" on May 16th, with partner stations at the Murdock Canal Trail by Canyon Tech Park, the Orem City Library, the Orem Fitness Center, University Place Mall, and right here at UVU!

It was a beautiful day! We had free breakfast sponsored by UVU Facilities, free bike safety checks sponsored by the Outdoor Adventure Center, and learned more about UVU's excellent Wellness Programs and the "Exercise is the Best Prescription"/UVU Fit program. And, of course, we did a group ride - "Wheelin' With Willy" - around lower campus!

Active transportation infrastructure benefits communities by providing safe ways to get around without a car. It facilitates movement for families engaging in wholesome recreation, for youth practicing independence, and for those who are car-free (by choice or not). It also contributes to social resilience and improved human connection.

Video highlights on Instagram

Bicyclists visiting with each other and enjoying a group ride around campus

Bike to Work (or Anywhere) Day | 16 May 2024 | Utah Valley University. Photo credit: Sarah Rasmussen Bateman

UVU-UTA Group Bike Ride

Bicyclists in and around the UTA FrontRunner train and the UVU Lehi Campus

Photo credit: Sarah Rasmussen Bateman

To wrap up Bike Month, UVU Sustainability hosted a group bike-train ride on May 30th.

Most of UVU's campuses (now and in future plans) are connected by the UTA FrontRunner train. The bike-train combo helps students and employees travel car-free if they want.

We met on UVU's main Orem Campus, traveled over the pedestrian bridge to Orem Central Station, and boarded the northbound train, using our UVID cards to get free fare. (NOTE: Students must be enrolled in a minimum of one credit hour during the current semester for the UVID Card to be free-fare eligible.) Once we arrived at Lehi Station, it was only a very short ride to UVU's Lehi Campus.

While in the neighborhood, we decided to ride around and enjoy other area amenities and then stop for a snack and a chat.

For the return trip, some chose to return via the southbound FrontRunner train, back to campus, and others biked the Murdock Canal Trail. It was a beautiful day out, connecting with others, and learning about bike-transit commuting.