By Courtney Luther
As the weather continues to warm up more and more students seem to be riding their bikes around campus and taking advantage of North Central College’s red bike program.
Sophomore Sean Lynch, who frequently rides his bicycle around campus, says he prefers riding his bike as opposed to walking. “I love riding my bike around campus especially on warm days,” said Lynch.
He added that he rides his bicycle as often as he can and is able to make good time when going from one side of campus to another.
The red bike program is an amenity that the college offers to students. Students are able to use a bike for an entire trimester at North Central.
According to Assistant Director of Campus Safety Transportation & Parking, Emanuel Pavlopoulos, “There are 200 bikes available during fall and spring terms.”
The bikes are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis and students do not need to pay unless they damage or fail to return the red bike at the end of the trimester, explained Pavlopoulos.
He adds that the red bike program relieves parking stress and reduces the need for vehicles with an alternative means of transportation. Contrary to the overcrowded parking lots, the bicycle racks are typically always accessible. As any spectator could see the North Central College parking lots are seldom empty, unlike the readily accessible bike racks.
Lynch explains, “I can usually always find a place to park it.”
Not only is bike riding fun, but it is also a great way to get in your daily exercise that is less strenuous than running. According to Joseph Bonavota, a cardio pulmonary exercise technician, “Cycling is an exercise I recommend because it is not a weight-bearing exercise so there is no wear and tear.”
Bonavota explained that cycling is a great alternative exercise for people who have a hard time with weight-bearing exercises such as jogging.
Not only are there numerous health benefits, but bicycle riding is also an economical choice during tough economic times. According to the Discovery Fit & Health website 2013 article, Reasons to Start Biking, posted by the editors of PureHealthMD, biking at least two days a week can decrease your gas usage by 40 percent.
