Roger Thomas
   Staff Writer

For UNC-Greensboro students, there are many forms of transportation to get to campus or other places around Greensboro. Students can take the Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA), supply buses that will take students to numerous locations in the city.

The campus also provides its own form of transportation for students with the Spartan Chariot, which is a bus that will take students around campus. Most students use their own cars to drive to campus or walk to their classes. Even with all these options, many students will likely walk while on campus to get from class to class.

However, the most common alternate way of transportation here at UNCG is cycling, a sight most students will typically see as they walk from class, the cafeteria or from the bookstore in the Elliot University Center. In comparison to other modes of transportation, cycling on campus has many advantages over driving and walking. For one, bikers do not have to worry about parking. Biking is also much quicker than walking. Lastly, and probably the greatest benefit of biking, is that it provides great exercise for the body throughout the day.

As an university, UNCG has endorsed the practice of biking. The League of American Bicyclist recognized UNCG as the first school in North Carolina to be considered a bicycle-friendly university.  A registered bike at UNCG also carries many benefits for all cyclists. The registration is also free.

Cyclists who register their bikes may receive free bicycle maintenance, prizes at bike events and emergency rides home.

Additionally, with a UNCG Spartan ID, cyclists may receive discounts at local bike shops such as Trek, Revolution Cycles, Recycles Bike Shop and Cycles de Oro. And with a campus environment that provides the basic services, such as Dero Fixit stations throughout the campus for basic repairs, cyclists will always have the chance to repair their bikes if they are having issues with it.

While the university provides important and key functions for cyclists, students are also involved in helping.

On campus, the Cycling Club is a specific group geared toward students who wish to ride competitively and toward cyclists who are interested in commuting and motocross.

While a cyclist must provide his or her own equipment, the club is free to join.

Over the past week, a couple of students at UNCG explained why they choose to take a bike to campus rather than walk, drive or take the bus. UNCG freshman Mykala Thomas said that the reason she bikes on campus is efficiency.

“My first week I did a lot of walking, and I didn’t like that too much because my classes are really scattered so it just makes it easier,” Thomas said.

Thomas also discussed the biker-friendly attitude on campus.

“Everybody is very courteous to the bikers, and it makes it a lot easier for us to get around,” Thomas said.

She feels that walking and biking are the best ways to commute around campus.

“It kind of depends on the time of day…walking is usually the best way if you want to avoid traffic; however, as far as speed is concerned, I think biking is the best way,” Thomas said.

Graduate level professor in the Local Studies program Joseph Rosenblum also praised the use of bikes on campus. Rosenblum said that the only time he bikes is on campus, and like Thomas, he also prefers to bike rather than walk.

“Pretty much…I like biking better,” Rosenblum said.

Rosenblum explained why he bikes on campus.

“Well, parking is easy, and it’s just a nice way to get around,” Rosenblum said. “I prefer it to a car; it’s more ecological, and I don’t live that far away so it probably does not take any more time to bicycle than it would to drive actually…so it’s convenient.”