A new bike plan encouraging more students and staff to leave their cars at home was launched today by Curtin University at a breakfast celebrating national Ride2Work Day.
The plan provides for better cycling access to Curtin’s Bentley campus, improved bicycle paths within the campus and more end-of-trip facilities including showers, lockers and secure bike storage.
Director of Campus Planning, Mr Andy Sharp, said the plan was designed to make the Bentley campus a much friendlier place for bike-riders, in line with the University’s commitment to sustainable transport and its active support of healthy lifestyle choices.
“A number of the improvements will be completed by the beginning of 2013, in time for the start of the academic year,” he said.
“This includes new internal pathways to make it much easier to ride within the campus and the addition of four ‘green’ bike pods in our academic precincts, each containing two showers, personal lockers and secure storage for 28 bikes.
“The modular, self-contained pods are attractive, space efficient and incorporate numerous sustainable design features, including solar panels for power and lighting, a hot water system and a recharging facility for electric bikes.”
The new pods are in addition to the University’s existing secure bike enclosures and the many bike racks located around campus.
Mr Sharp said that the University was also in discussion with Main Roads and neighbouring local councils about making it easier and safer to cross the main roads coming into Curtin, especially during peak periods. This will have benefits for both cyclists and pedestrians.
“Cycling to and from campus is a great way to get fit and obviously has much less impact on the environment than driving a car,” he said.
“We want to demonstrate that we are a committed member of the cycling community.”
Contact:
Mr Andy Sharp, Director, Campus Planning, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 4428, Email: Andy.Sharp@curtin.edu.au
Denise Cahill, Media Consultant, Public and Community Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 1931, Email: D.Cahill@curtin.edu.au
