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Projects Updates for theme: Transportation

  1. Zipcar Wants to Find "Students With Drive"

    Associated Project(s): 
    Support Zipcar in Champaign-Urbana

    Zipcar is launching a nationwide competition to let student groups compete to earn funding for scholarships, operations, and driving credit. Zipcar is looking for groups to share how they are driving societal change on campus and in their community through their mission. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 17th.

    The original event post can be found here.

     

  2. Weekly Update -- Abandoned Bikes Retrieval & Sales

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    Email from Jacob Benjamin:

    All,

    Last week was the conclusion of the bike retrieval period for abandoned bikes.  We got three claims in the 11th hour, which was good. I’ll begin organizing the leftovers this week, with help from my staff. We are critically low on some used parts, so this is fortuitous timing.

    Elsewhere, I have two new staffers starting this week—just in time for October!

     

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 94
    Sales: $1,319.25
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $100
    Memberships: 24 for $720
    Tires/tubes: 28 for $153

    Thanks!

  3. iCAP Transportation Team September 23rd Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Reduce Emissions from Travel

    The iCAP Transportation Team met on Tuesday, September 23rd, from 2:00-3:00pm to go over goals for the year. We are planning to submit two recommendations within the next month, one for EV charging for micromobility devices on campus and one regarding a change for ChromeRiver, the emission reporter for travel. 

    Attached Files: 

  4. 9/23/25 Call Recap -- Veo Parking & Gameday

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bike Share with Veo

    From Aaron Madrid:

    Afternoon all,
    Thank you for your time today. I just wanted to recap a few action items and next steps from our call. 
    1. Aaron will reach out to the parent who emailed in and offer to have a conversation and see if we can find some additional solutions for their student.

    2. Aaron will coordinate meeting between geofence team, operations team, and Sarthak to discuss parking locations outside of bike racks in the coming week(s)
    3. Gameday Geofence Activation
        a. Geofence will activate as a "No Parking Zone" 4 hours ahead of kick-off.
        b. Geofence will transition to a "No Ride Zone" 2 hours ahead of kick-off.
        c. Geofence will deactivate 90 minutes after the conclusion of the game.

    I think this will position us to ensure we're maximizing the access for the community to gameday activities while reducing the number of errant vehicles.

    Let me know if there are any questions or concerns regarding the items we discussed on our call today.

  5. Light the Night 2025 Leftover Light Count

    Associated Project(s): 
    Light the Night

    Light the Night 2025 was a success, students and community members alike biked to various stations on campus to receive free bike lights.

     

    Bike Lights Remaining:

    Location

    Sets Brought

    Red Lights Leftover

    White Lights Leftover

    Green & Lincoln

    150

    37

    36

    Alma Mater

    400

    160

    166

    Hallene Gateway

    250

    95

    92

    Ike

    200

    45

    46

     

  6. Weekly Update -- Light the Night & Sales

    Associated Project(s): 
    Light the Night
    Campus Bike Center

    Email from Jacob Benjamin:

    Last Wednesday was Bike To Work Day! It was a success. Had good weather and good turn outs at the stations I visited.

    Light The Night is tomorrow evening. Should be good weather—if warm—for that, too!

     

    We are busy but it’s not mayhem anymore—that’s a plus!

     

    We are low on used tires, as is common this time of year. I’ll roll over to the Urbana shop to see if they have any to spare.

    The numbers:

    Sales: $1,735.35
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50

    Memberships: 38 for $1140
    Tires/tubes: 31 for $286

  7. Beautiful Weather and Lots of Station Locations!

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    • Alma Mater Plaza
    • Campus Bike Center
    • Campus Recreation Center East
    • College of Veterinary Medicine – Lot F27
    • Disability Resources and Educational Services
    • I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center – Intersection of First Street and St. Mary's Road
    • Orchard Downs
    • Siebel Center for Computer Science – Intersection of Main Street and Mathews Avenue

  9. CU Bike to Work Day Email For Alma Mater Attendees

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day

    Alma Mater attendees: Bike to Work Day is TOMORROW MORNING!

     

    C-U Bike to Work Day is tomorrow – Wednesday, September 10!  This is a reminder that you pre-registered to stop at the Alma Mater welcome station (southeast corner of Green & Wright Streets), which will be open from 7-10 AM.  Sarthak Prasad is your station manager.

     

    Tell a friend that they can still register for Bike to Work Day today at cuBikeMonth.org or tomorrow on-site – 16 welcome stations will be open across Champaign County!

     

    The weather looks great – dry, and temperatures between 60-75F.  Tag any photos with us on Facebook at “C-U Bike Month.”  Enjoy the ride!

  11. September 2025 CU Bike Announcements

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    Light the Night
    Evaluation & Planning for Bicycles

    Email from Gabe Lewis:

    Happy September!

     

    Our team has these bike-related announcements to share with you:

     

    #1:  Bike to Work (& Class) Day is this Wednesday, September 10

    If you are not pre-registered for Bike to Work Day yet, do so now and tell a friend to do the same!  cuBikeMonth.org

     

    16 stations will be open across Champaign County, with 8 of them being on the University of Illinois campus.  Each station will have free t-shirts (while supplies last), stickers, breakfast snacks, and bike literature!

     

    #2:  Light the Night returns on Tuesday, September 16

    Bring your bike to one of four on-campus stations to get free bike lights!  You can also sign up to be a volunteer for a partial or full shift – no experience needed!

     

    #3:  Active Transportation Plan (ATP) survey is OPEN

    Calling all bicyclists, pedestrians, and park visitors:  we want to hear your thoughts via this survey and/or comment map on your experiences – good or bad! 

     

    Completing this survey will help the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) develop the Champaign County Active Transportation Plan (ATP).  RPC staff will also be at various events this fall – including Light the Night – with tablets for people to complete this survey.  We want to hear from everyone to work on making Champaign-Urbana a better place to walk and bike!

     

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    #4:  More Bike Month events

    The cuBikeMonth.org calendar has several bike events listed for September and October, including Saturday’s FREE Moonlight Bike Ride from Meadowbrook Park to the Sidney Dairy Barn!  You can also keep up with C-U Bike Month announcements on our Facebook page.

  12. Notes following the Bike Month Planning meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Light the Night

    Here are the assigned roles for Light the Night 2025:

     

     

    Station Name/Location

    Station Manager(s)

    RPC ATP Staff Person

    1

    Alma Mater

    Sarthak Prasad

    JD McClanahan

    2

    Ikenberry Quad

    Jake Benjamin

    Gaby Harpel

    3

    Hallene Gateway

    Kevin Garcia & Gabe Lewis

    Gabe Lewis

    4

    Green & Lincoln

    Abby Kipping & Qiushi Huang

    TBD

     

    Station Notes:

    • Green & Lincoln will also be the MTD Bike on Bus Rack Demonstration Site
    • All stations will have some Project 529 Bike Registration Forms and Stickers

     

    Timeline & Tasks:

    • Event Date:  Tuesday, September 16
      • Rain Date:  Wednesday, September 17
    • U of I personnel will deliver lights, tables, chairs, lawn signs, and sandwich boards to each station.
    • Station Managers should be at their stations by 3:15 PM.
    • First shift volunteers will arrive at 3:30 PM, and second shift volunteers will arrive at 5:15 PM.  Make sure they have a Bike Month t-shirt and light set if they want/need them.  They will also need a brief verbal training on the following:
      • Orientation of the station (where people enter and exit)
      • How to install lights
      • Brief recap of Rules of the Road
        • Ride with traffic
        • Stop at stoplights (and stop signs)
        • USE YOUR LIGHTS AT NIGHT – that’s why we’re installing them!  It is legal and safe.
      • Sending people to take the ATP survey
      • Directing people to other resources
    • Tear down at 7 PM
      • Leave tables and chairs for U of I personnel to pick up
      • Remaining lights, lawn signs, sandwich boards, and Bike Month & ATP materials need to be returned to Sarthak/F&S

  13. Help Celebrate CU Bike Month at Light the Night

    Associated Project(s): 
    Light the Night

    Light the Night - Tuesday, September 16 between 4 and 7 p.m.

    Help Celebrate CU Bike Month at Light the Night
    		 
     

     

    Light the Night is Tuesday, September 16, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Alma Mater Plaza, Hallene Gateway, the Ikenberry Commons Quad, and at the intersection of Green Street and Lincoln Avenue. You MUST bring your bike to get a free light set. Approximately 1,000 bike light sets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

    Remember, Illinois law requires a front light along with a rear reflector/light when riding at night. If your bike is without these items, please take this opportunity to become compliant and enhance your visibility and safety during evening hours.

    Also, volunteers are needed, and no experience is necessary. Individuals will be quickly trained to install the light sets. In case of severe weather, the event will be rescheduled for September 17. 

    Loading Your Bike on the Bus

    In Lot D9 (adjacent to the Green/Lincoln location), there will also be a demonstration of how to load bicycles onto MTD buses, as well as an opportunity for attendees to practice this activity with their own bikes.

     

     

    Register Your Bike
    		 
     
    Keep Your Bike Safe - register it and join the 529 Community
     

    According to the University Bicycle Ordinance, bicycle registration is mandatory for all bicycles parked or operated on campus and owned by students, staff, faculty, university departments, community members, and bike share vendors. Protect your bike by adding a theft deterrent identification shield for $10.

    The U. of I. joined 529 Garage's national database registration system in 2020 to help improve safety and aid in the recovery of stolen bicycles. 

    Volunteers will be able to assist with bike registration at Light the Night, including issuing the 529 Shields (decals). 

    Also, remember to sign up for the upcoming Bike to Work Day on Wednesday, September 10. More information about bike programming will be available there and at other events throughout the semester.

     

    Link to open the newsletter online

  15. Weekly Update -- Build-a-Bike, Staffing Updates, and Sales

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    Email from Jacob Benjamin:

    Busy as all get out. Sold all but one small bike for sale and moving Build-a-Bikes as fast as we can. Hope to have a few more prepped this week as demand for those is always high once we sell out of the refurbs.

    More staff will be available this week, which should help with the craziness.

     

    Returning abandoned bikes and getting some business out of that, which is welcomed. Plenty of folks that are retrieving their bikes are unaware of our space/offerings.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 234
    Sales: $1882.45

    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $250

    Bikes (B-a-B): 2 for $100
    Memberships: 23 for $690
    Tires/tubes: 48 for $351

  16. Celebrate C-U Bike Month by Riding to Work!

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    Bike to Work Day - September 10 from 7 to 10 a.m.
     

     
    Celebrate CU Bike Month by Riding to Work!
    		 
     

    Ride your bike to campus on Wednesday, September 10, between 7 and 10 a.m., and get a free T-shirt! Welcome stations featuring drinks and snacks will be available in 16 Champaign County locations. First-time riders are encouraged to join returning participants and learn more about the local bike community. You must preregister and bring your bicycle to get this year's shirt.

    The locations of campus stops can be viewed on the official Bike to Work map. The event will be rescheduled for September 11 should inclement weather arise. 

    Campus Welcome Stations

    • Alma Mater Plaza
    • Campus Bike Center
    • Campus Recreation Center East
    • College of Veterinary Medicine – Lot F27
    • Disability Resources and Educational Services
    • I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center – Intersection of First Street and St. Mary's Road
    • Orchard Downs
    • Siebel Center for Computer Science – Intersection of Main Street and Mathews Avenue

    Bike to Work Day Newsletter Link 

  17. Follow up with Housing on 8/28/2025

    Associated Project(s): 
    Fleet Replacement Plans
    Decrease Emissions from UI Fleet

    Attended By - Aaron Lewis, Matt Brown, Jessica Hauseman, Shawn Patterson, Sarthak

    • Base line for the initial cost -
      • What we have been spending
      • Idling times
      • Fueling
    • Who needs vehicles and why?
      • Evaluating what type of vehicles
      • Want to have 15 year replacement - age of bicycle - overall body condition starts to be an issue
        • Current replacement cycle is about 20 years
    • Where we can, we buy smaller vehicles than bigger trucks
    • Have you identified - who is going to be the primary contact
      • Matt will be the primary contact
      • Aaron and Jess are very highly involved

     

     

    • How many vehicles -
      • Dining
      • IT shared services
      • BSWs
      • Maintenance
        • Subdivision of trade groups
    • Spreadsheet includes - all vehicles
      • Jess will send it to me
    • Sarthak will draft a plan for Housing based on previous meetings.

  19. EV Charging Stations Updates

    Associated Project(s): 
    Use Electric Vehicles (EV)
    Increase use of EVs and other Alternative Service Vehicles

    Email from Phillip Krein:

     

    I wanted to update you on our EV charge infrastructure project. Tim Abrahamson supported us today from about 12:30pm to 2pm to gather circuit information in parking structures C10, C7, and B4. I owe Mike Brown an updated design report for our next-generation boxes, and of course we will not mount any new units until all is approved and Dave can inspect the setups. In the meantime, we learned the following:

     

    In lot C10, four of our boxes can be supported without changes. The most likely plans place one each at the east and west columns on Level 2 and one each on those columns on Level 3.

     

    In lot C7, it appears that five boxes can be supported.

     

    In lot B4, we have chosen about all that are available (six units are in place).

     

    For Krannert, there is one signed space where a unit can be mounted.

     

    In F29 (the fire station and parking), it appears that four units can be supported, including three existing signed spaces.

     

    In lot E15, there are NO receptacles that do not interfere with a walking path or equipment access path, so no units can be mounted there.

     

    The total, including those in place, is 20 units. We are preparing 30 new units. I do have some plans for a few of them.

    Philip Krein

     

    We did observe that nearly all of these structures have potential for additional receptacle circuits, but this would require a project with wire pulls and infrastructure changes. Since we are talking about 120 V receptacles, such a project is routine, but obviously not trivial to set up and fund.

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