Katherine Zoellmer
From April 8 to April 14, the Rice Environmental Society teamed up with Rice Bikes to host Sustainability Week. The week’s events kicked off on Saturday with an Ice Cream Crawl, where participants biked to a variety of ice cream shops, including Cloud 10 and Amy’s Ice Cream.
On Tuesday, students who attended the Rice Farmer’s Market and stopped by the Rice Bikes tent received a token for $1 off any item. Despite heavy rainfall, a few students visited; however, Rice Bikes attended the Farmer’s Market with the same promotion the following Tuesday.
Bike Houston visited Rice on April 12 to discuss Houston’s upcoming bike plans, including the possible addition of a bike route on University Blvd. Staff and students gathered to hear how the plan will affect the university and to provide input.
On Thursday, Rice Bikes’ junior Madeleine Pelzel (Lovett ‘20) and graduate student Mary Natoli taught a clinic on safely commuting by bike. They explained the rules of the road and gave tips to students.
The week ended on Friday with Bike to Class Day. Students could bike to the Recreation Center, where they got free breakfast and showers. RUPD was also there to register bikes and sell locks.
Throughout the week, students who participated received T-Shirts reading “Burn Fat Not Fuel.” Rice Environmental Society and Rice Bikes said they plan to make Sustainability Week an annual event.
Until May 2, students can donate their bikes for Bike Donation Day. Rice Bikes will then fix the bikes and give them to Free Wheels Houston, a charity that distributes bikes to refugees. Students can either bring their bikes to Rice Bikes directly, or contact the business for a pick-up.
May 5 is Bike to Work Day, encouraging faculty, staff, and graduate students to bike to campus. Once again, there will be free food and showers at the Recreation Center for participants, and RUPD will be registering bikes.
Finally, Rice Bikes will remain open for the summer. Beginning on May 23, they will resume offering repairs and rentals.