Bike Sale!

Welcome back students!  Hope you all got moved in and are having a great start to the Fall 2011 semester.  On Monday Parking and Transportation hosted the first annual On Grounds Bike Sale outside the Student Activities Building.  The sale featured three of Charlottesville's local bike shops:  Blue Ridge Cyclery, Blue Wheel Bicycles and C'ville Bike & Tri.  Students were also able to register their new or current bikes with the University Police Department (UPD).  This program helps Officers return bikes to their owners if the bike is every lost or stolen.  Community Bikes, the Boys and Girls Cycling Challenge, and the University Bookstore were also at the event with freebies, delicious smoothies, and great info for cyclists.

C'ville Bike and Tri's John Lawler helping a student try out a bike

Some RAs making Bike Blender Smoothies with Charlottesville Community Bikes

The Boys and Girls Club Cycling Challenge was on-site promoting their upcoming ride

The best locks were available at great prices

So many bikes!

Helmets - essential for all riders

Blue Ridge Cyclery's set-up

C'ville Bike and Tri's set-up

Blue Wheel Bicycle's Scott Paisley helping students at the Blue Wheel Bicycles set-up

Officer Angela Tabler registering a student's bike (online registration is also available at www.virginia.edu/uvapolice)

In addition the Bike Sale, a series of education classes were offered to help students learn the skills they need to properly maintain their bikes and ride safely.  On Monday, during the Bike Sale, Mary and Rob Cook led "Bike Commuting 101" that prepares students and staff to commute to U.Va by bike.  Scott Paisley of Blue Wheel Bicycles showed attendees "The Basics of Bike Maintenance" on Tuesday evening in Newcomb Hall.  On Wednesday John Lawler of C'ville Bike and Tri hosted a presentation on "Safe Cycling" in Room 104 of the Kellogg Residence Hall.  Charlottesville Community Bikes, a volunteer run bike shop, hosted an Open House at their shop on Preston Avenue Friday evening.

Miss Us On 106.1 The Corner?

Did you listen to the Community Corner with Brad Savage on 106.1 The Corner this morning?  Our Director (Becca) and I were on the show to talk about the upcoming On Grounds Bike Sale and education workshops taking place next week.  Check out the audio below!

106.1 Community Corner Interview

Upcoming Bike Sale and Training Workshops

Hope everyone has been enjoying their summer.  With U.Va Move-In quickly approaching it's time to start thinking about how to get around.  I'm pleased on announce the first On Grounds Bike Sale to be held on Monday, August 22 from 11am-4pm outside the Student Activities Building.  The sale will feature three of Charlottesville's local bike shops:  C'ville Bike & Tri, Blue Wheel Bicycles and Blue Ridge Cyclery.  These vendors will have everything you need including new bikes, helmets, tubes, pumps, apparel and more.  University and community organizations will also be on-site including Charlottesville Community Bikes, U.Va Bookstore, U.Va Dining, U.Va Police and more.

In addition to the Bike Sale several bike safety and maintenance workshops will be held throughout the week.  "Bike Commuting 101" will be held during the Bike Sale inside the Student Activities Building (SAB) from 2:30pm-3:30pm.  The class, led by Mary Cook, will cover the things you need to know to safely and comfortably commute by bike.  A University Transit Service (UTS) van shuttle will be available from the Health System and Facilities Management for those interested in attending the class and/or Bike Sale.

On Tuesday, August 23, Scott Paisley of Blue Wheely Bicycles will lead "The Basics of Bike Maintenance" workshop in the South Meeting Room of Newcomb Hall from 7pm-8:30pm.  This workshop will prepare students and staff to perform basic maintenance on their bikes to keep them in proper and safe working order.

John Lawler of C'ville Bike & Tri will host a "Safe Cycling" information session in Room 104 of the Kellogg Residence Hall from 7pm-8:30pm on Wednesday, August 24.  This class will teach students about the rules of the road and how to navigate safely around town.

Certified League of American Bicyclist Instructors will be offering the "Traffic Skills 101" training course beginning on Thursday, August 25.  This two-part training workshop will teach participants the skills needed to safely and confidently ride in traffic.  The course includes classroom instruction as well as closed course skills training and a on-road group ride.  Participants must complete both sessions to receive their certificate of completion.  Session 1 will be held on Thursday, Augsut 25, from 6pm-9pm in Room 389 of Newcomb Hall.  Session 2 will meet outside the Student Activities Building on Saturday, August 27 from 9am-3pm.  Registration is required and available online:  www.virginia.edu/parking/TDM/class.html

On Friday, August 26, Community Bikes will host an Open House at its shop located at 612-C Preston Avenue in Charlottesville.  Students and staff are invited to stop by to get one-stop help getting ready to bike around U.Va and Charlottesville.  Volunteers will be on hand to provide maintenance self-help tips and skills, and give advice on routes, safety, and rules of the road.  UTS will provide a van shuttle from the Student Activities Building to Community Bikes (and back).  The Open House will run from 6pm-7pm.

Visit the Parking and Transportation website for more information:  www.virginia.edu/parking/TDM/class.html