By Anna Weier, UMCycle Manager
Happy World Bicycle Day!
UMCycle – UMSU’s full-service bike shop – was opened on the U of M Fort Garry Campus in July 2017.
Fort Garry Campus is bursting with bikes. The UMCycle Kiosk is going into its second full summer, experiencing a constant flow of people dropping by to buy a tube, use the free tools, leave a bike to be repaired or ask about a good bike route.
May has been busy and June is sure to be even busier given the number of bike events going on all month – including International Trials Day, Commuter Challenge, Bike to Work Day and Bike Week. There are a lot of ways for University of Manitoba students to get involved.
The Commuter Challenge started on June 2 and is an event to encourage people to use more sustainable means of transport to get to work and school. Participants are encouraged to walk, bus, bike, carpool or telecommute as a way of reducing their environmental impact. Every year over 20,000 Canadians get involved.
Staff and students can check out the University of Manitoba Commuter Challenge write up to register and find out more. There is a great list of prizes for everyone and the U of M’s Office of Sustainability has been gathering prizes exclusively for U of M staff and students.
There are a range of bike storage options on Fort Garry Campus, including 16 secure storage lockers and 100 spots in the parkade bike station.
Later this month, Bike to Work Day on June 17 kicks off a week of bike–related festivities throughout Winnipeg. From 6:30am – 11:30am, UMCycle and the Office of Sustainability will be hosting a bike pit stop near the UMCycle Kiosk. There will be music, snacks, bike tune ups, prizes and lots of fun. The list of Bike Week Winnipeg activities can be found here.
Meanwhile, UMCycle will be hosting a Bike Week Event every day that week next to the UMCycle Kiosk. You don’t even need to bring your own bike but are certainly welcome to.
- Monday – Our pit stop will have prizes, food, music and free bike repairs from 6:30–11:30am.
- Tuesday – Come check out the Kiosk from 12-1pm to “Learn to Fix a Flat”.
- Wednesday – “Learn to Tune up your Bike” from 12-1pm.
- Thursday – Receive instruction on basic bike repairs as part of “Community Stand Time” from 2–6pm.
- Friday – “Riding Skills” from 12-1pm will keep you riding safe and in a straight line by showcasing some tricks for quick turns and stops.
So please, enjoy your month of June and if you need to buy, rent or repair a bike, stop by the UMCycle Kiosk anytime between 11am and 7pm, Tuesday to Saturday, or on Thursday from 2pm – 6pm to get free help in repairing your own bike.
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UMCycle Bike Kiosk is a full-service bike shop at the centre of the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry Campus. We have parts and accessories for sale and do installation, adjustments and overhauls of all systems of the bike (ie: wheels, brakes, shifters, drive train, steering). We have community-use tools and an outdoor stand available to anyone for free during our shop hours. We are accessible with a ramp leading to the automatic main door. Students get a 25% discount on services.
For inquiries, please contact UMCycle@umsu.ca or call 204–474–8484.
