April 17, 2003
Hoofing it: Walk to campus is encouraged
The Transportation Office invites faculty, staff and students to participate in its “Walk In” campaign Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25.
The Transportation Office is especially targeting the 900 faculty and staff who live within 2 miles of campus but drive alone to work.
“Driving is an expensive way to get around, especially for short trips,” says Lisa Quinn, public information specialist in transportation. “If you live within 2 miles of campus, we’re hoping you’ll try walking instead.”
According to a recent study by UW Transportation, walking is the most reliable commute mode because you never get caught in traffic. In some cases walking can be faster than driving or taking the bus.
“Time is probably an important factor in your commuting choice, but driving is not always the fastest way to get to campus,” says Diana Perey, director of Transportation Services
The Walk In campaign marks the debut of the UWALK Pedestrian Guide. Similar to an earlier guide to Ballard, it is a map of the U-District marked with items of interest to pedestrians, such as walking routes, bus stops and services. Designed by Feet First, a pedestrian advocacy group, the guide was produced for the Transportation Office in consultation with avid area walkers.
To encourage walking, the Transportation Office will host Walking Energizer Stations from 7 to 9 a.m. on Monday, April 21 at the Henry Art Gallery and on Tuesday, April 22 at the T-Wing pedestrian overpass that links the Burke-Gilman and Health Sciences building. Pedestrians can grab a snack, enter a drawing and pick up the UWALK Pedestrian Guide from an “Energized Bunny.”
The Transportation Office has also worked with Work/Life to offer a brown bag seminar: “Every Step Counts” from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23 in 310 HUB and noon to 1 p.m. Friday, April 25 in T-733 Health Sciences.
“If you live too far from campus to walk all the way to work, you can carpool or take the bus and still participate in the Walk In campaign,” Quinn says. “Try getting off the bus a stop earlier or walking to meetings instead of driving. As you get used to it, you can gradually increase the distance you walk.”
To keep the walking going through the summer, the Transportation Office is sponsoring a “Walking Challenge.” Teams of up to 10 will record their trips to campus, to home, and for walking trips to meetings and errands. Team captains will receive a Walk In T-shirt, and each team member will receive a Walk In radio. Teams will also be eligible to win Husky Football tickets, Flexcar memberships and $100 in Commuter Bonus Plus vouchers to be used at businesses like REI. The Walk In campaign is currently looking for Team Captains.
For more information about walking to work, visit www.washington.edu/upass/walkin.
