University community pedals to the Hokie Bike Hub in record numbers
Use of the Hokie Bike Hub by students, faculty, and staff has grown by nearly 200 percent since it opened in September 2013.
More than 1,000 members of the university community have signed into the bike hub so far this school year to perform bicycle maintenance or repair, attend a lesson or workshop, or register their bike. Last school year, 344 used the bike hub services.
“The Hokie Bike Hub has really become the center for campus bicycling. People come in to work on their bike, learn new skills, or just hang out with other bicyclists,” said Peter Chudzik, alternative transportation assistant. “I’m in the hub most days giving one-on-one lessons, offering advice, or leading workshops and classes. I don’t actually fix bicycles, but I help people learn the skills they need.”
The bike hub has four repair stations, tools, and equipment for people to repair or maintain their own bikes. Because of the growing demand, two additional repair stations will be added to the bike hub this spring.
The most common issues are flat tire repairs, brake and shifting adjustments, and chain oiling.
“Our goal is to increase bicycling on campus and giving people the knowledge to take care of their own bikes is part of that effort,” said Chudzik.
The Hokie Bike Hub is located in the Alternative Transportation Center, 1330 Perry Street, on the ground floor of the Perry Street Parking Garage; it is open during the spring semester Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. Hours will change during the summer.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
