Making the shift from four wheels to two wheels is one way many members of the campus community are coping with their commute during the ongoing LTC transit strike.
The University Students’ Council has helped with this shift by opening a gym for secure storage of bikes. Outside, there is rack space for about 2,200 bikes across campus.
For Biology student Bolaji Adeniji timing is everything. After being in Canada for three years, this summer a colleague convinced Bolaji to learn how to ride a bike.
Biology student Bolaji Adeniji has taken to getting around on a bicycle, a skill he picked up this past summer.
“She took me down to Gibbons Park and gave me tips on how to ride,” said Adeniji.
“Growing up in Niger I never had a need to learn how to ride a bike but everyday of this strike I thank my lab partner for convincing me to take the plunge.”
While he has always enjoyed his trips on LTC, Adeniji has discovered a real love for biking. “Not only does it allow me to get around at my own pace – not having to worry about bus schedules, but it has also helped me enjoy fresh air and appreciate nature around me much more.”
For some individuals biking is not an option because of a lack of wheels. Hoping to help fill this gap is one London resident. He read a recent letter to the editor in the London Free Press from a student having difficulty getting to school and this triggered him to spring into action.
“The letter was from someone named Casey so I looked the name up in the phone book but there must have been 572 them,” he said in an interview.
Still determined to help he contacted Western to offer his 15-speed combination electric/manual bike for someone to use for the duration of the strike.
Another option for those without access to wheels takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 2, as the Campus Community Police Service will be auctioning off 35 bikes.
Over the course of the year Campus Police recover abandoned bicycles. Some are returned to owners and others are retained when the owner is can’t be found.
Eventually, the remaining bikes are sold and the proceeds donated to a local charity.
The bikes up for auction can be previewed from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. with the sale running from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. beside Somerville House near Lucy’s.