Campus Bike Centre opens

The University of Victoria opened the new indoor Campus Bike Centre on Nov. 19, with a brief bout of stormy weather–including the unusual appearance of light hail–serving to underscore the value of shelter from the elements for cyclists as they arrive on campus.

The totally enclosed facility, nestled on the west side of the University Centre parkade, offers over 230 bicycle parking spots, as well as equipment lockers.

SPOKES, a volunteer-run bicycle rental and repair shop, is also housed in its newly expanded space inside the bike centre.

Students, faculty and staff were on hand to applaud the official ribbon cutting and unveiling of the official plaque, which will be installed at the entrance of the centre.

Gayle Gorrill, Vice-President of Finance and Operations, acknowledged UVic’s continuing support of alternative transportation. “Cycling is an important part of the university’s transportation demand management program. We encourage biking and transit and walking to campus. Having this fantastic facility will make this even easier.”

On good weather days, nearly 2,500 cyclists travel to and from the university. Gorrill hopes the indoor centre will increase the number of daily commuters. “I’d like to think this new facility will help people think ‘It’s not a good weather day, but at least I can park my bike in an underground place where it’s going to be dry.’” 

SPOKES member Sarah Webb is thrilled the university finally has infrastructure to match the bicycle demand. “It’s institutional leadership, like the University of Victoria, where you see facilities like this that not only make it easy for people to come to and from campus in a warm, dry and secure space, but be able to facilitate programs like SPOKES.”

Webb also sees the space as a great meeting place for cyclists and hopes more riders will become involved with SPOKES. “Ultimately, it’s an opportunity for people to volunteer and learn new skills, but also to get students, faculty and staff easy, accessible and green transportation options.”

Fourth year computer science and environmental studies student and SPOKES volunteer Colton Hash was already helping cyclists with bicycle repairs.

The new facility has also provided an opportunity for SPOKES to expand their operation. “We have some new services, including our loan program where students can check out a bike for a year. We have daily rentals and we also sell bikes,” says Hash.

The Campus Bike Centre is a legacy project, stemming from the now-complete anniversary celebrations. “As the university was looking to celebrate its 50th anniversary, we asked ‘what would be some great projects we could say are legacies?’ We thought this project demonstrated the university’s commitment to sustainability,” says Gorrill.

Kelsey Mech, UVSS chairperson, felt UVic has done a wonderful job emphasizing the importance of sustainability.

“We’ve seen more and more demand for improved bike infrastructure on campus. We’ve seen more and more students riding their bikes to campus. It’s our responsibility as individuals to push for changes in the world around us, but we don’t always stop to celebrate the victories, small successes, big changes, and the steps in a good direction. It’s moments like these that are really special.”

The design of the centre also took her by surprise, “I didn’t expect it to be this nice. It is very lovely,” says Mech.

Gorrill happily noted the shiny floors wouldn’t stay pristine for much longer. “I think it’s quite appropriate that we’ve taken spaces that used to be used for cars and turned them into spaces for bikes,” she added.

Mech couldn’t agree more. “Students are always asking for changes from UVic and rarely do we take the time to appreciate the positive steps the university is taking. More than anything, I just want to say thank you.”

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More info about the bike centre is available in this university backgrounder.