A rainy, windswept morning was no match for Winnipeg cyclists who braved the weather to get first dibs on hot coffee and pastries at the newly open UMCycle Bike Kiosk at the University of Manitoba (U of M).
UMCycle, which is operated by the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), celebrated Bike to Work Day on June 23 with a pit stop for its official opening. Over 80 Bike to Work Day participants enjoyed UMFM’s pumped up playlist as they toured the new kiosk and learned about UMCycle’s services. Cyclists who stopped by the pit stop that was co-hosted by the U of M’s Office of Sustainability were treated to fresh fruit, delicious baked goods and coffee from Degrees Diner, and free bike patch kits. Those who visited even got to blend their own smoothies using UMCycle’s bike blender!
UMCycle is a full-service bike shop, offering repairs, parts, and accessories. The kiosk, which sits at the corner of Sidney Smith Street and Curry Place (near the East entrance of the Extended Education building) on the U of M’s Fort Garry campus, replaces the UMREG Bike Dungeon that was housed in UMSU University Centre. Open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., UMCycle will regularly be hosting bike workshops including ‘Fix-a-Flat’, ‘Bike Maintenance’, and more for those interested in learning how to do their own repairs.
“We’re very excited to have a new and improved bike repair service open for students and the community-at-large,” says Tanjit Nagra, UMSU President. “We’re proud to be making sustainable means of transportation more accessible on campus.”
In fall 2017, the kiosk will be adorned with Indigenous artwork curated by Jenny Western and painted by artists Kenneth Lavallee and Dee Barsy. UMCycle is the first project to use the U of M’s new Indigenous Design Principles, which recognize that the components of campus planning and design (people, land and water, open spaces, transportation networks, buildings and infrastructure) are interdependent and affect one another in complex ways. UMCycle, UMSU and the U of M will be celebrating this milestone when the artwork is completed and mounted on the kiosk later this year.
If you’re interested in learning more about what the new bike kiosk has to offer, booking an appointment for repairs, or attending a workshop or upcoming event, feel free to drop by during open hours or message UMCycle using the contact information below. We hope to see you around!
To learn more or book an appointment at UMCycle:
Email: umcycle@umsu.ca
Phone: 204-474-8484
Follow UMCycle for upcoming bike workshops, events, and tips:
@UMCycle
(Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
