Ride Ambassadors Guide U of A Affiliates on Cruise to Campus

Flyer by Todd Hansen

U of A affiliates gather for coffee and community on Old Main Lawn.

This spring, the Office for Sustainability is hosting a series of events called Cruise to Campus Wednesday. Cruise to Campus Wednesday seeks to promote biking as a sustainable commuting alternative to motor vehicles and encourages affiliates to bike to campus at least once a month.

The first Cruise to Campus Wednesday will occur from 7:30-10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Whether you ride a bike once a day or once a year, riders of all levels are encouraged to come out and join for breakfast and community on Old Main Lawn. Participants are invited to enjoy complimentary beverages and breakfast from Onyx Coffee Lab, connect with other riders, and learn what biking resources the University of Arkansas has to offer.

"Possibly the most challenging part of commuting by bike is taking that first ride" says Emma Armendariz, active transportation coordinator for the U of A. "Even if you know how to bike, it feels like an entirely new world. Many of us have grown up using cars as our primary mode of transportation, so breaking that pattern, and taking on these Fayetteville hills, can be intimidating." 

The Office for Sustainability has partnered with campus bicycling advocates to establish a dedicated team of Ride Ambassadors. Ride Ambassadors take strides to break down the barriers that prevent people from biking to campus.

"When you first consider biking to campus, the initial thought is often, 'How will I get there?' Busy roads, hilly terrain, and an unfamiliarity with biking infrastructure can make it difficult to identify your ideal route," explained Emma.

Ride Ambassadors help mitigate concerns by identifying a route and schedule that allows affiliates to join the group as it passes near their starting location. Often referred to as a Bike Bus, these group rides provide opportunities for affiliates to bike to campus in a safe and supportive manner.

Jenn Campbell, Dane Eifling, Eric Boles, Anya Bruhin, Hank Theiss, Todd Hansen, and Jon Johnson will lead routes for our first Cruise to Campus event of the spring semester. Find the Ride Ambassador nearest you using our Ride Ambassador map. To see their Bike Bus route and pickup spots, click the icon nearest your starting location and follow the Bike Bus link. New Ride Ambassadors are always welcomed. Sign up using this link or email erarmend@uark.edu. 

To learn more about bicycling at the University of Arkansas, visit bike.uark.edu.

About the Office for Sustainability: The mission of the University of Arkansas Office for Sustainability (OFS) is to motivate, facilitate, and coordinate responsible practices through partnerships with students, faculty, and staff across all campus departments. The OFS uses the campus as a living laboratory by overseeing the implementation of the University of Arkansas environmental goals. These programs are part of the UA Resiliency Center, hosted by the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, and are supported by UA Facilities Management.