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Projects Updates for theme: Transportation

  1. Weekly Update: bike sales, Quad Fix-it day, Bucket Brigade

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Had some nice warm weather last week. Sold a few more bikes. It’s almost as if there’s some kind of correlation between warmer weather and bike riding?
    Elsewhere: we had two participants for our Friday Ride. We had our first Quad Fix It Day but that was a bust: cool and rainy weather don’t make for a good bike time. We’ll do another one this Thursday but it’s forecasting for rain and cool weather again. Spring is fickle.
    Pending approval from Channing Murray, I’ll do a delivery run for the Bucket Brigade this week and see if it’s viable/feasible as a recurring event that we can promote.

    Our donations are picking up but mostly it’s been scrap-worthy parts, including maybe the worst salt/water damaged frame I’ve ever seen. Fun times!
    The numbers:

    Visitors: 30 (I card only)
    Sales: 1,241.60
    Memberships: 7 for $210
    Bikes (refurb): 5 for $820
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $40

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Manager, Campus Bike Center

  2. Bicycle Census spring 2021

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Counts

    Bicycle Census was organized on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 10-11 am. There were some technical difficulties and light drizzle during the event, due to which we were not able to cover everything on main campus. There were a total of 18 volunteers and we covered 21 map blocks. The remaining blocks will be covered by Sarthak Prasad and others in the next few days. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students transitioned to online classes, and the majority of faculty and staff established alternative work during the spring semester. This census data will provide a unique look at ridership levels during this period and offer important details about the traveling behavior of those remaining on campus.

    The volunteers collected information on the number of off-and-on-rack bicycles along with specific bike rack information, including the type, capacity, and how the structures are installed.

    Davis McGregor and Sgt. James Carter won the raffle and they will receive Illinois Coffee mugs.

    The information collected in this bicycle census will be updated to the F&S database once the new GIS support is hired.

  3. Weekly Update: Moved bikes, Quad Fix-it Day, Bike Census

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Not much news from last week. We still aren’t busy-busy. I picked up bikes from the warehouse to scrap. I moved six kids bikes to Urbana on the big bike trailer and got lots of surprised looks, quizzical glances, and a couple thumbs up. Considering the amount of attention that trailer gets, we should look into getting some signage for it.

    There’s been some nascent interest in volunteering from a few visitors. That’s been welcome. We also rearranged the workspace, moving the second repair stand next to the first one by the tool wall. They’re still safely separated but not totally annexed to the other side of the shop.
    This week is our Friday Ride—last week was a no-show again—and our Quad Fix It Day on Thursday. I’ll be helping with the Bike Census on Wednesday as well.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 15
    Sales: $627.24
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $140

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Manager, Campus Bike Center

  5. Bike Census volunteer opportunity (4/28) and TED Talk discussion (4/29)

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach
    Bicycle Counts
    Bike at Illinois Website and Campaign

    Happy Friday! I hope you are having a great Earth Week/Earth Month and have been able to attend a few (of the many!) activities this April. The Bike Census Spring 2021 is next Wednesday, April 28, from 10 – 11 AM. Bike Census is a collaborative, community-wide effort between Facilities & Services (F&S) and Champaign County Bikes that began in 2013 as part of ongoing improvement efforts to support the campus’ Bicycle Friendly University status.

     

    If you are available to volunteer next Wednesday morning, please sign up here. There will be a virtual training session beforehand at 9 AM. Two Illinois coffee mugs will be raffled off for student volunteers. I hope you are able to participate and in the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Sarthak Prasad (sprasad9@illinois.edu).

     

    On another note, in celebration of Earth Month, the next iSEE TED Talk: Eco-Edition event will focus on environmental activism and individual versus corporate responsibility for climate change. On Thursday, April 29 at 7 PM, participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk presented in July 2020 by Xiye Bastida: "If you adults won't save the world, we will." Afterward, all are invited to participate in a guided discussion hosted by iSEE Communications Intern and ESES student, Maria Maring. Sign up here.

     

    As always, be sure to check out the iSEE Sustainability Calendar for upcoming events and programs and help spread the word. Have a great weekend!

     

  6. Weekly meeting with Audrey Freeman: Tasks for the week of April 26th

    Associated Project(s): 
    Encourage Telecommuting

    The Telecommuting & Commuter Program intern met with supervisor Sarthak Prasad on Friday, April 23rd, 2021 to discuss updates on the program and goals for the upcoming week. Over the past week, they emailed over 10 different universities to fill out the google survey and/or schedule an interview to gain more personal insights and research. They also emailed the updated questionnaire to the IHR department, however, the department had to reschedule the meeting to May 5th. In addition, Audrey has begun creating the final deliverable presentation via PowerPoint for the transportation SWATeam meeting on April 30th. In the coming week, she will reach out again to the universities that have not yet filled out the google survey, and finish the final deliverable presentation.

  9. Weekly Update: Friday Ride

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Not a whole lot to report from last week. We had our first attendee for a Friday Ride. He was unfamiliar with basic rules of the road so we took him on a very short loop to get him acclimated. At a stop light he asked, “So you can ride in the road?” Something to consider in future route planning/participation. We missed a call/voicemail from someone else asking about the Friday Ride so we’ll have to keep an eye on the phones going forward, as well.

    The forecasted snow on Tuesday probably won’t help business this week. I have the Campus Transportation Advisory Committee to attend on Tuesday but the rest of the week is business as usual. I’ll grab some more salvageable parts from the bike barn for staff-tasks for the week.
    The numbers:

    Visits: 25

    Sales: $339
    Memberships: 5 for $150
    Tubes/tires: 10 for $50


    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Manager, Campus Bike Center

  10. Weekly meeting with Audrey Freeman: Tasks for the week of April 19th

    Associated Project(s): 
    Encourage Telecommuting

    The Telecommuting & Commuter Program intern met with supervisor Sarthak Prasad on Friday, April 16th, 2021 to discuss updates on the program and goals for the upcoming week. Over the past week, they collected the necessary information to contact the employees responsible for telecommuting at the Big 10 Schools, the University of Illinois at Springfield, and Chicago. On Monday, they will email these universities and include the newly made google form to continue to gain more personal insights and research. Also on Monday, they will email the updated questionnaire to the HR department, so that they are ready for their meeting on April 22nd. This week, they will begin creating the final deliverable presentation via powerpoint for the transportation SWATeam.

  11. 4/16/21 Transportation SWATeam Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Fleet Replacement Plans
    Encourage Telecommuting
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike

    Attached are the meeting minutes for the Transportation SWATeam meeting on 4/16. The agenda is as follows:

    • Commuter Program & Teleconferencing Policy Internship Update
    • Campus Fleet Replacement Plans Initiative Update
    • EV Task Force Draft Recommendation
    • Campus Opportunities: CTAC Meeting, Campus Bike Census Spring 2021.

    The Bike Census Spring 2021 Event on April 28, an event which seeks to accurately portray biking on the CU campus, is searching for volunteers. No prior experience is required; just show up to the VIRTUAL Training Session at 9AM and go from there!

     

    Attached Files: 

  13. Weekly Update: Basic Maintenance 101, Friday Ride

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Mechanics Classes at the Campus Bike Center

    All, Still not steadily busy as the temps started to dip. We’ll see what this week brings.
    We had our Basic Maintenance 101 class on Wednesday night. Sam held the class and we had 5 people signed up but only 1 showed. Friday Ride was a no-show except for a DI reporter who wanted to cover the event.
    This week is business as usual and our Friday Ride again. I’ll scavenge some freewheels and tires/tubes off some of the junk bikes in storage at some point, too. We are desperately low on used freewheels and can’t really get any new ones due to the sustained supply shortages.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 22
    Sales: $664.50

    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $410
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $26

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    WManager, Campus Bike Center

  14. Weekly meeting with Audrey Freeman: Tasks for the week of April 12th

    Associated Project(s): 
    Encourage Telecommuting

    The Telecommuting & Commuter Program intern met with supervisor Sarthak Prasad on Friday, April 9th, 2021 to discuss updates on the program and goals for the upcoming week. Over the past few days, they continued to research telecommuting programs at other Illinois universities (UIC, UIS, ISU) and various Ivy League institutions. In addition, the Transportation SWATeam reviewed the questionnaire for the IHR department and other universities. Once Audrey and Sarthak finish receiving feedback, they will revise and finalize the questionnaire and send out the document to the IHR department. They will also collect the necessary information to contact the employees responsible for telecommuting at the Big 10 Schools, the University of Illinois at Springfield and Chicago, as well as Harvard and Yale. Once they gain the contact information, they will draft emails to each of the specified schools and create a google form in case the school is not able to meet over the phone or via zoom.

    Attached Files: 

  15. Weekly meeting with Audrey Freeman: Tasks for the week of April 5th

    Associated Project(s): 
    Encourage Telecommuting

    The Telecommuting & Commuter Program intern met with supervisor Sarthak Prasad on Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 to discuss updates on the program and goals for the upcoming week. Over the past week, they created a questionnaire for the Illinois HR department and a questionnaire for when they begin interviewing other universities about their respective telecommuting programs. Tomorrow, they hope to collaborate with the transportation SWATeam to get feedback on their proposed questions. This week, they plan to investigate telecommuting policies at other Illinois universities (UIC, UIS, ISU) and various Ivy League institutions. They will then plan to narrow down the best schools to reach out to and gather necessary contact information.

    Attached Files: 

  16. Weekly Update: Interview with Buzz Magazine, Fix-a-Flat, Bike Maintenance 101

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All,This week projects to be a busy one as the temps climb into the 70s.
    Last week I had an interview with Buzz Magazine and we had our Fix-a-Flat class on Wednesday evening. It was well-attended with 3 participants. Our first Friday Ride was a no-show as it was still, I guess, a little chilly for most people. Personally, 60 and sunny is delightful weather to ride a bike. Elsewhere, I also worked with Todd to clear out some bikes at the warehouse. One guy came by specifically asking for the Bike@Illinois seat cover. I happily obliged.
    This week we have another after-hours class on Wednesday (Bike Maintenance 101) and another Friday Ride.
    Campus Rec IT came by on Friday and set up our new phone, new number, and email address. I worked with Barry to get this new number hooked into TBP communications. The phone will ring in the lobby, which will be much easier to hear and answer than just having my office line.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 18
    Sales: $677.50
    Memberships: 5 for $150
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $370
    Tire/tubes: 4 for $29

    Thanks!

     

    Jacob Benjamin
    Manager, Campus Bike Center

  17. Weekly meeting with Audrey Freeman: Tasks for the week of March 29th

    Associated Project(s): 
    Encourage Telecommuting

    The Telecommuting & Commuter Program intern met with supervisor Sarthak Prasad on Monday, March 29th, 2021 to discuss updates on the program and goals for the upcoming week. Over the past week, they have researched different current telecommuting programs at the 14 other Big 10 universities and created a spreadsheet to document their findings. In the coming week, Sarthak will reach out to the HR department to gain more information on how faculty feel about working remotely at the University of Illinois. In addition, they will create a questionnaire for the Illinois HR department and a questionnaire for when they begin interviewing other universities about their respective telecommuting programs. They hope to collaborate with the transportation SWATeam to get feedback on their proposed questions. 

     

    Meeting minutes are attached!

    Attached Files: 

  18. Weekly Update: Bike sales, Fix-a-Flat, Friday Ride

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Much like the weather, we were up and down this past week. Sold a bike to a gentleman who’s planning to ride a portion of the Katy Trail in Missouri with his young daughter. I’ll take it as a good sign for future generations that I’m seeing young kids in here repeatedly.
    This week we’ve got a couple extra curriculars with our Fix-a-Flat class on Wednesday night and our first Friday Ride. I’ll meet with my staff to iron out the details for those two events.
    I’ll also be attending TBPs monthly meeting tonight.
    The numbers:

    Visitors: 20
    Sales: $691

    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $500
    Membership: 1 for $30
    U-locks: 3 for $63 (yay safety!)

     

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Manager, Campus Bike Center

  20. Weekly Update: Getting busier, fixing bikes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, We’re definitely getting busier as we creep closer to “Everyone Rides” weather.
    Highlight of the week was a dad and daughter coming in with the daughter’s bike. Bad freewheel so we took it apart and cleaned/re-greased it. That kid was into it! She was eager as all get-out, loved every step of the process, refused dad’s help on multiple occasions, and wanted to know all the names of all the bike parts. A model visitor. Dad loved our education/recycling mission and shared a disheartening story about government-mandated lawnmower obsolescence.

    Elsewhere, I got some IT things sorted out that will help the bike center run more smoothly, picked up some bikes from the warehouse, and hired a new employee to help in advance of the warm/busy times.
    This week I’ll have the aforementioned employee start, host a staff meeting on Wednesday evening, and sit in on the SSC Coffee Hour for Transportation & Infrastructure on Thursday.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 16
    Sales: $511
    Memberships: 5 for $150
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $180
    Misc: $88

     

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Manager, Campus Bike Center

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