The University of Manitoba’s Office of Sustainability encourages the UM community to focus on how you commute, but also understands people move around the city for a variety of reasons – not just to get to work.

Whether you purchase essential groceries, visit a park or simply walk around your neighbourhood, this year’s Commuter Challenge will recognize all modes of sustainable or active transportation. As long as you are choosing a sustainable travel option that benefits the planet, you can log the distances (or distances avoided by working from home). It’s time to start loving all your trips!

How participants can log kilometres:

• commuting to work, if applicable (walking, wheeling, biking, busing)
• working from home, if applicable (teleworking/telecommuting, logging distances avoided)
• accessing essential goods and/or services (grocery store, pharmacy, etc.)
• enjoying recreational activities (walking, running, wheeling, cycling, hiking, etc.)
• trying a new sport or activity (golfing, kayaking, etc.)

To ensure the health and safety of all participants, please adhere to public health orders and social distancing guidelines and follow the transportation advice from the Government of Manitoba. If commuting to the Fort Garry or Bannatyne campuses, please ensure you are regularly checking the UM COVID-19 updates.

If you are a UM student, faculty or staff, signing up for the Commuter Challenge is simple. Register today under one of three categories:

Student
Faculty
Staff

How to win prizes:

• log your sustainable and active kilometres online beginning May 30
• use the GoManitoba app or website to track your trips
• post pictures and videos to social media using the hashtag #CommuterChallengeMB

Thanks to the Green Action Centre, there are many great prizes from local businesses up for grabs! Be sure to check out the full prize list for specifications on how to qualify for the different categories.

For more information, visit the Commuter Challenge frequently asked questions page.  

Tune up your bike:

Most importantly, ensure your bicycle is in good working order before heading out. Green Action Centre offers its ABC quick check. If your bike needs repairs, visit a community bike shop or bring it to a private local bike shop. Be sure to call ahead to confirm hours of operation.  

Find your route:

Plan your route using the City of Winnipeg’s bike map or Google Maps. Refer to the city’s facility type definitions to find a route to match your comfort level. 

If you travel to campus, find cycling routes and bike parking on the Fort Garry campus and bike parking locations at the Bannatyne campus*.

Lock it up:

Be sure to lock your bike up with a strong u-lock and cables as necessary. On the Fort Garry campus, u-locks are available for purchase at the UM Bookstore**.

Follow these bike-locking tips from UMCycle to ensure your bike stays safe and secure:
1. Secure U-lock to bike rack around bike frame through rear triangle and wheel rim.
2. Secure front wheel with cable through U-lock and around front wheel.
3. Replace quick release seat and wheels with locking skewers for added security, or secure with cable.

Bike safely:

Has it been a while since you got on a bike? Brush up on your cycling skills with MPI’s Adult Cycling Booklet. Prepare to share the road as both a driver and a cyclist with these helpful tips.

Partner up:

If you are unsure about cycling, register with GoManitoba to find cycling partners near you! You can also use this application to track your travels or share your cycling journey with your friends and family.

For additional cycling information and resources, visit the UM website.

*If you are required to come to campus, you must wear a 3-ply disposable or reusable mask at all times on UM grounds, including all indoor and outdoor spaces.

**The Fort Garry Bookstore is open for online shopping, and at limited capacity for in-store shopping. Hours for shopping and online order pickups are Monday to Friday, 10-4:30. At this time, FG Bookstore is not open Saturdays for online order pickups. The Health Sciences Bookstore at the Bannatyne campus is closed to in-store shopping but open for online shopping with pick-up at Fort Garry Bookstore in University Centre. Hours are Monday to Friday, 10-4:30.

Undergrad architecture students recently had the opportunity to participate in a unique project that saw them design and build the structures as part of their coursework. Though the students work on many conceptual design projects through the year, they were able to test their skills against real-world demands with this project, says associate professor Lancelot Coar of the department of architecture.

“There’s no better teacher than reality,” says Coar, who acted as the project lead.

The project originated when the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), which operates UMCycle, approached Coar after realizing they needed more room to store, repair and sell bikes. Core consolidated their needs into four projects: increased capacity for bike storage and repair, increased capacity for workshops, a bike sales kiosk and a signage component that will be launched by the end of the summer.

“This initiative aimed to simultaneously enhance the capacity of UMCycle while also having the students engage in the community and participate in a community project,” says Coar.

In January 2018, 11 students from the faculty set to work to design and build the structures over the course of the semester, going through the consultation and design processes to pre-fabrication to on-site construction. Jointly funded by U of M and UMSU, with additional student initiative funds, the project saw involvement from many U of M departments and units.

“This really was an incredible process,” says Coar. “The project was a combination of diverse interests and addresses the large diversity of uses for the facility.”

A key element of the project was the collaboration with members of the Indigenous community at U of M, including Elder-in-Residence Marlene Kayseas, Indigenous Student Centre staff and the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association. Coar and his students incorporated the U of M’s Indigenous Planning and Design Principles in everything from the colours and materials used to the traditional plants (such as sweetgrass) adorning the space.

The team also engaged with Kayseas when planning the project’s upcoming signage component. Composed of natural materials that will oxidize throughout the year, the signage will acknowledge land use and resources, while linking original area maps with contemporary active transportation maps.

“I really enjoyed it,” says Kayseas of her work with the project, which included blessing the space and advising the project team in several areas. “I am excited for people to learn about what we [Indigenous Peoples] believe.”

With tight timelines, the project demanded a lot of everyone involved – but the students and UMSU volunteers were up to the task, continuing their work to finish the project even after the course was over.

“The students did an incredible job,” says Coar, acknowledging the work the students completed in only one semester. “It took real dedication from the students to see the project through. It was such a great experience.”

Check out our photo gallery of the new structures, which include storage space for up to nine bikes, increased workshop and repair space, and a new bike sales kiosk, which features burnt cedar strips with a pattern of the Red River.