Celebrate CU Bike Day 2021
 
Be a part of two great upcoming bicycle events on Tuesday, September 14. You can participate, volunteer, or do both! 

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign achieved the Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University status in October 2019 because of its ongoing commitment to improving bicycle education, infrastructure, and programs. Visit the Bike at Illinois website to learn more about the many efforts that support bicycling on campus.
 
Bike to Work Day
Champaign County Bike to Work Day returns this semester. There will be 17 welcoming stations open between 7 and 10 a.m., with nine on the Urbana campus. Grab a snack and get some free Bike at Illinois merchandise and a T-shirt! To get the free T-shirt, you must register and bring your bicycle! 
 
Light the Night
The 14th annual Light the Night, a free bike light giveaway, will be held that evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at three locations:

• Alma Mater Plaza
• Hallene Gateway (intersection of Illinois Street and Lincoln Avenue)
• Campus Bike Center (51. E. Gregory Drive) 

Participants must bring their bicycles to receive the free light sets; lights will only be installed on bicycles without lights. Volunteers are needed in the afternoon and evening for three shifts. Fill out the volunteer sign-up form to assist. All volunteers will be required to wear face coverings during the event.

All, Another busy week. Only managed to replenish our stock of For Sale Bikes by a few this week but sold them all within an hour of being open each day. Demand for bikes is still sky-high. Accordingly, most—if not all—of the Build-a-Bikes have been claimed. We did receive a couple of viable donations we’ll fix up this week.

This week, I’ll also be promoting our Grand Re-Opening that’s happening Thursday, 9/16 from 4 – 7p. We’ve got flyers we’re handing out and talking it up to everyone who comes into the Bike Center. Here’s a blurb we can share out to relevant contacts:

On Thursday, September 16th, from 4-7, Campus Bike Center is celebrating their Grand Re-Opening at their new location on 51 E. Gregory Dr., Champaign, IL 61820. Come enjoy fun activities, games, and a chance to win a free bike! UIPD will be doing an escorted ride around the block at 5:00 for riders who would like to join. There will be tabling from campus and community organizations, and on the basketball court side you will get a chance to make a basket and be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a refurbished bicycle. We plan to give away an adult bike and a child one. See you there!

We’ve got a couple new hires in the pipeline that should be onboard in the next week or so—fingers crossed.

The numbers:

Visitors: 105
Sales: $1,732
Bikes (refurb): 3 for $675
Build-a-Bike: 3 for $120
Memberships: 17 for $510
Tires/tubes: 17 for $82

Thanks!

Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center Coordinator

On Tuesday September 7, 2021, Sutapa and Sarthak met to discuss the Survey Questionnaire of the Walkability Audit. Each question of the MAPS tool was analysed and a decision to restructure the questionnaire was taken.

On Thursday September 9, 2021, Sutapa, Sarthak and Prof. Lindsay Braun met for discussing the Survey questionnaire and the Deficiency report. The decision of focusing on 5 major categories was agreed on, which are as follows:

1.  Context
2.  Safety
3.  Accessibility
4.  Connectivity
5.  Walk Appeal

In conclusion, the database of the Walkability audit is to be collected using two methods: The Survey Questionnaire (focuses on the sub-block area as a whole) and the Deficiency report (focuses on individual locations within each sub-block).

This was our first general meeting of the year. We informed everyone about the progress of planning the Sustainability Summit, as well as heard updates from various organizations. See meeting minutes attached. 

On September 2, 2021, Sarthak and Sutapa met with F&S-TDM, F&S Grounds, DRES, F&S FIR, and faculty from the Urban Planning departments to discuss the updates regarding the Walkability Audit. Following is the brief outline from the meeting:

Proposal to do a 2-step data collection was finalized during the meeting. 

1. The Survey Questionnaire (using 123 survey app)

1. The Deficiency Report (using maps of sub blocks) - also using the survey123 app

The study is to be performed using four main parameters ( Safety, Accessibility, Connectivity and Walk Appeal). The study will also include entrances to the buildings as well as ADA ramps.

The next steps to be performed for the Project is to finalize the survey questionnaire and the individual maps of each subdivision (showing sidewalks, crosswalks, and entrances). The training manual is scheduled to be worked on right afterwards. Call for volunteers in the newsletter to be posted soon.

The August TED Talk: Eco-Edition event on environmental action was a great conversation to kick off a new semester at Illinois! Alexandra Gergova was a terrific host at the event and showed an inspiring TED Talk by Majora Carter, “Greening the ghetto”. Learn more about Majora’s work and environmental activism here. In addition to the resources outlined in Alex’s presentation (see attached), below are additional and resources that were shared during the conversation:

• Nan Holda shared information about the International Climate Action Challenge: If you and at least one other person want to have a big impact on the environment in 90 days, form a team and join the 2021 International Climate Action Challenge (ICAC): https://www.climateactionchallenge.net/challenge. Free to join by Sept 10! Every registered member of your team will receive the digital “Climate Action Challenge” book and workbook, weekly trainings, weekly check-ins, and access to the ICAC community portal. This is all geared to help everyone #BeTheChange!
• Urbana Sustainability Advisory Commission
• Moms Clean Air Force
• Defend our Future
• Students for Environmental Concerns, UIUC
• Bike at Illinois
• Continue the conversation and interact with others on the Waste Reduction @ Illinois Facebook group
• Sign up for the iSEE newsletter to stay up-to-date on all things sustainability (like future TED Talk events!)

I hope that you enjoyed the discussion on Tuesday evening and that you learned about a new opportunity or way to take action and get involved. Every action has an impact – it is up to all of us to talk about it, tell someone else, and empower others to show up and take action, too!  As always, please reach out with any questions, feedback, or to share additional resources/opportunities!

A first of its kind at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a 14’x63’ covered Bike Shelter has been installed and is ready for use in the Ikenberry Commons area between Flagg Hall and Noble Hall. It can accommodate up to 96 bicycles at a time utilizing side stage (vertical) bike racks.

See attached the pictures from first week of August!

Are you ready to go from passion to action in 90 days? 

Be part of the 2nd Annual International Climate Action Challenge beginning August 18, 2021! 

If you haven't been able to make a big impact yet, don't worry.

We have a proven method for regular people to step up and make a difference fast! The 2021 International Climate Action Challenge offers a proven process, with video course, live trainings and a fun, supportive global community to keep you inspired and energized. 

https://www.climateactionchallenge.net/challenge?r_done=1 

We have installed a set of Eco-Counter's pedestrian and bicycle counter at the intersection of Wright St and Healey St on August 31, 2021. This counter location is now active and collecting data!

Please see the attached Design for America UIUC newsletter. Included is a recap from a successful quad day, information on their very own design week, and more! Dates and times for design week events are listed in the newsletter. See their website below for more info.

https://dfaillinois.com/

This is a list of projects that need students to work on.  It will be updated periodically by sustainability staff members, the last update was 8/30/21:

• The campus MS4 stormwater permit currently has 49 Best Management Practices (BMPs) that have to be completed annually https://fs.illinois.edu/services/safety-and-compliance/about-the-program . One of the 49 BMPs is a Public Education and Outreach requirement to broadcast or publish one stormwater Public Service Announcement (PSA) on social media, radio, television and/or internet. We currently have a couple on our website and would like to keep it up to date with new materials whenever possible.  https://fs.illinois.edu/services/safety-and-compliance/about-the-program/events-and-outreach. Another opportunity is for a Public Participation and Involvement BMP to discuss and provide opportunity for public input on the Storm Water Program (permit BMPs), climate change and environmental justice topics. This could be met by webinars, PSAs, posters, etc. Contact is Betsy Liggett.
• Develop informational messaging about SmartWay, get more UIUC departments aware of the program, and coordinate a related student event.  Contact Morgan White at mbwhite at illinois.edu.
• Support the Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation (CCDCF) Board with their county-wide efforts for conservation and design.
• Conduct a campus poll (fall semester 2021) regarding the Top 10 most iconic/significant/impressive trees on campus (including the arboretum). Develop an online survey tool (i.e., an online poll) whereby students and campus employees can nominate their favorite campus trees. Upon conclusion of the survey, work with Jay Hayek to tabulate and rank the results and create a publicly viewable ArcGIS Online StoryMap showcasing campuses Top Ten Trees. Prepare a presentation of results for the annual Arbor Day Celebration. Contact Jay Hayek at jhayek at illinois.edu.
• Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: Illini Union.
• Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: Huff Hall.
• Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: ECE Building.
• Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: Armory.
• Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: Bevier Hall.
• CCNet Website: Work with the Champaign County Sustainability Network (CCNet) leadership team to redesign and publish the CCNet website (old version is online at http://www.champaigncountynet.org/). There is a monthly brown bag sustainability networking event on the Third Thursday of each month, but the website hasn't been updated since 2016. Contact Morgan White at mbwhite at illinois.edu.
• We are seeking a student volunteer who can do tree identification for a series of trees in the Arboretum, and work with the University Landscape Architect, Brent Lewis, and the Superintendent of Grounds, Ryan Welch, to compare the tree identification to the draft tree inventory. Contact Morgan White at mbwhite at illinois.edu.
• Work on outlining sustainable initiatives that DIA can take in support of the Green Sports Alliance. Contact Meredith Moore, mkm0078 at llinois.edu.
• Help iSEE develop a Sustainability Literacy Assessment. Contact Meredith Moore, mkm007 at illinois.edu. 
• Help identify and develop opportunities for intersecting sustainability and the arts (sustainability murals, utility box artwork, etc.). Contact Meredith Moore, mkm0078 at illinois.edu. 
• Develop permanent posters for the Solar Farm 2.0, to guide tour participants at the site. Contact Morgan White at mbwhite at illinois.edu.
• Help iSEE work with Student Sustainability Committee grant to expand small scale campus composting. Contact Meredith Moore at mkm0078 at illinois.edu.
• If you have a project idea, please contact us at sustainability@illinois.edu, or submit it through the iCAP Portal Suggestions page.

All, No mistaking it now. We’re busy, busy, busy. We’ve sold out of all our regular-sized bikes and only have 3 left that fill out the extreme ends of the size-spectrum:  two very small and one very large bike.

We’ve been very vocal about hiring here while we’re open and have had some verbal interest but nothing that has actually translated to applications—yet. I did interview and am in the hiring process for one new employee, so that’s a start.

On Friday, Jeff Yockey stopped by and grabbed a handful of Grand Opening flyers to hand out at the Habitat Bicycle Sale. Habitat sells some of their bikes in As Is condition meaning folks might need somewhere or some parts to get their bikes rolling a little better and we’d be just the place. Always nice to get our name out to the larger community.

On Saturday,  I participated in LAB’s Traffic Skills 101 course. Despite 13 years of regular commuting, not all of the maneuvers and handling came naturally to me. Always more to learn. Up next is the official LCI training seminar in September.

This week I’ll be fielding more applications and building bikes to attempt to meet demand.

The numbers:

Visitors: 141
Sales: $2,100.50

Memberships: 17 for $510
Bikes: 8 for $1,190
Tires/tubes: 12 for $39
U-locks: 6 for $136

Thanks!

Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center Coordinator

The Walkability Audit FY 2021-22 commences with designing a system to study the Walkability Index of the campus of UIUC and its neighboring areas. The site of intervention is divided into 29 divisions. A 2-level survey is chosen in order to generate an in-depth analysis, the survey questionnaire and a detailed study per division. The questionnaire takes care of overall parameters like pedestrian facilities, maintenance, crosswalks, aesthetics, path size, universal accessibility, shade, buffers etc (more to be added later) and is scored using 0-5 pts. The detailed study identifies and locates existing problems relevant to each division/subdivision individually.

By mid-September 2021, all the walkability parameters and the survey questionnaire will be finalized and the training manual for volunteers will be developed. Volunteers will be provided with maps of their respective subdivisions and trained to correctly observe each parameter and take reference pictures if need be. The data will be collected in the month of October after the training is complete. Volunteers will work in teams and a single division will be documented by 3 different volunteers after which an average of the scores will be generated. This average score is believed to best represent each parameter. Volunteer groups will be kept the same throughout each study level for consistency of scores. The database with scores should be generated at the end of October 2021 after which the Analysis phase of the Walkability Audit will commence.