Christine Infantolino rides her bike to campus from her Oxford Manor apartment every day, totaling up to at least 30 miles a week.
“It’s nice to be out, feel the weather and get some fresh air,” the 21-year-old UF political science senior said.
To recognize students like Infantolino who ride their bikes to campus, Sustainable UF hosted its inaugural “Bike to Campus Day” on Friday morning on the Plaza of the Americas. About 50 bike-riding students ate free breakfast, learned safety precautions like mapping out their routes. They also received free bike lights and black helmets from University Police.
Jacob Adams, the office manager for UF’s Office of Sustainability, said the event was one of many the organization held during March to honor Florida Bicycle Month.
Bike riders only account for 6 percent of students who commute to campus. He said he hopes these events will bring attention to the environmental, economic and health benefits that come from biking to campus. The advantages include not releasing harmful gases from automobiles and saving money on gas and insurance.
“We just want to take this really easy, sustainable solution that works for people very well and make it more available and a more desirable option,” Adams said.
He also said the bike-friendly campus will help. There are about 13,000 bike spots across campus, he added.
“That’s something UF recognizes as an option and wants to encourage,” Adams said.
