How do you get around? — Student survey seeks to improve transportation on campus

All the biking racks are full. There’s nowhere to park and it’s way too expensive to buy a parking permit. What’s a student to do?
Automobile parking and transportation to and from school for students is progressively becoming an area of concern for school administrators. Student frustration regarding this matter is also rising, as parking passes are becoming more expensive and parking spots are at a premium.
High amounts of car transportation to and from school contribute to the lack of physical activity among students. Moreover, the general public as a whole is not meeting public health recommendations for physical activity, resulting in a prevalence of higher disease.
As a result of these growing problems, University of Idaho Parking Services is trying to create innovative and cost-effective means for students to abandon their cars for a more physically active, eco-friendly mode of getting to and from school.
The UI Sustainability Center has partnered with Parking Services and the Department of Movement Sciences to begin taking steps to address this problem through creating a student survey that will identify transportation needs on campus.
This survey, called the “MERGE” survey, is an important stepping stone toward giving students the opportunity to use alternative modes of transportation that support physical activity and the environment. Student participation is strongly encouraged as funding will be allocated toward the ideas that students support.
The MERGE survey can be found at the University of Idaho Sustainability Center website uidaho.edu/sustainability. From 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. April 23, the MERGE event will take place at the Idaho Commons Pavilion
MERGE is an alternative transportation fair that gives students an opportunity to bring their bikes to be fixed by local bike mechanics and features an energy efficient care show. Moreover, those who complete the MERGE survey at the event will receive a free pedometer or lanyard, and will be entered to win a Specialized mountain bike, Giant commuter bike or one of three iPod touches. The first 150 students to complete the survey will also receive a free New York Jonny’s hot dog.
We look forward to seeing your response to the MERGE survey and we also look forward to seeing you at the MERGE event.
This project is funded by the UI Sustainability Center grant program, which awards up to $9,000 annually to student-led projects.
Ryan McGrath is a doctoral student and UI Sustainability Center grant recipient. He can be  reached at [email protected]

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