Ecologue

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of campus, needing to park your bike but there wasn’t a place in sight? Help the OSU Alternative Transportation Advisory Committee solve the bike parking issues on campus by participating in the Bike Parking Utilization Study on Tuesday and Wednesday October 14th  and 15th, or October 21st and 22nd, from 10 am to 12 pm. Because of weather influences on bike use, the survey will only take place one of those two sets of dates; we plan to be ready to collect data on either week to capture highest use conditions.  Plus, counting bikes in the rain is not the most fun!

Over the course of the two hour periods, volunteers will survey a given area of campus looking at the total number of bike parking spaces, how many bikes are present and the bike rack’s current maintenance condition. As shown in the map above, campus will be divided into six sections with roughly the same number of spaces to count, then teams of two will walk their assigned zone for two hours. During these two hours, one team member will count the number of bike parking spaces, number of bikes currently parked, and the condition of the bike parking racks at each location in their zone, while the other volunteer records these numbers on a data collection sheet.

The data collected will be compiled into a report and used to direct university investment to areas that need attention. With quantifiable data supporting the need for improvements on campus it is easier to prove the need for funding. With that in mind, come help us lay the groundwork for continuing to improve bike parking on our campus.

To thank participants, the Sustainability Office and Parking Services will provide volunteers their choice of a swag item, including bike seat covers, cold cups, sporks and other fun stuff! For more information or if you have questions please contact Alaina Hawley.