Active Commute Week begins Monday

Active Commute Week is May 13-17, designated to raise awareness and encourage active or economical modes of transportation.

For a group of staff members from University Libraries, every week is an active commute.

Kim Ranger, liaison librarian, said she usually walks or rides a bicycle to the Walker Fire Station to catch the Rapid’s Campus Connector to the Allendale Campus. Ranger said she enjoys more than the cost and environmental savings.

“I enjoy talking with other faculty and staff members on the bus,” Ranger said. “It’s a great way to network and meet a lot of people.”

Bob Schoofs, liaison librarian, said his typical commute begins with a 10-minute bike ride or 20-minute walk to the Walker station. “It’s more convenient than parking on campus, and the gas, maintenance and insurance on my car is less,” he said.

Elizabeth Psyck, liaison librarian, lives close to the Pew Grand Rapids Campus and regularly takes the Campus Connector to Allendale. “It cuts down on stress since someone else has to fight rush hour traffic, while I get to listen to music or a podcast,” she said.

Grand Valley is participating in the Active Commute Week Challenge. Prizes will be awarded to an individual and organization with the most employees who track their commutes during that week; visit www.acwgr.org for details.

Other Active Commute Week activities are listed below:

• Presentation, “Bicycling as a Form of Transportation, Recreation and Fitness,” May 14 from 4:30-5:15 p.m. in Facilities Services Building. Bike ride between Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses will follow.

• Bike to Work Pit Stop at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, May 17 from 7-9 a.m. Free bagels for participants.

The week also includes bicycle maintenance workshops at area bike shops and ends with a celebration in Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids.