As part of a new campus-wide wellness program, Emporia State is making itself bicycle-friendly. A first step toward that goal came last month when three bicycle repair stations were installed on campus. The program is a collaboration with the City of Emporia, which purchased two stations for installation in town.
“Knowing that Emporia has such a strong biking community and is home to the Dirty Kanza gravel road race, the university looked to the city to deepen the relationship between campus and community through continued collaboration,” said Mike Wise, director of recreation services.
The repair stations have two parts — one that has tools cabled to it and is used to suspend the bike. The second component has an air pump and tire gauge. On campus, the stations have been installed at the northwest corner of the Student Recreation Center, south of Singular Hall for the Towers Complex and on the south side of William Allen White Library.
To help the public understand the stations and learn how to use them, recreation services and students majoring in recreation are conducting bike repair and safety events. The next event is from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Student Recreation Center on the north end of campus.
“We purchased these stations to help promote healthy lifestyles, and for Emporia to become more pedestrian-friendly,” said Wise. “With the use of these stations, students and community members will be able to use their bikes not only for recreation, but also for commuting. Having a properly maintained bike and the ability to make repairs when needed translates into a safer commute.”