Bus Blues? Explore the Alternatives!

Student biking at UBC surrounded by trees.

With the return of tens of thousands of people commuting to campus every day, the buses are back to being extremely packed. I don’t know about you, but this got me thinking of possible alternative ways to get to campus. Driving could be one but parking on campus is expensive even with a parking permit, and that is if there is a spot available. This is why you should consider biking! Not only does it offer a more spacious experience of getting to campus, it also has added benefits of staying active and getting around campus quicker. It’s environmentally friendly too!

Getting started: Resources in Vancouver + UBC

Of course, biking can seem a bit intimidating, especially with the frequent rainy seasons in Vancouver, but there are many resources around UBC that can support your biking journey!

To start, there are a few things I consider before integrating biking to campus into my routine:

The route – Google Maps and other map-based apps often offer cycling routes. Vancouver also has an online resource called “Bike Route Planner” that allows customized routes based on preference (least elevation, shortest, etc.).
Rules of the road – BikeHub has beginner classes and other programs that help people get integrated into the cycling community in Vancouver and the larger metropolitan region.
Using transit with your bike – If biking the whole commute sounds daunting (that hill after Alma is a killer!), buses are always equipped with a bike rack in the front of the bus. TransLink also has a few practice bus bike racks attached to a couple of their stations. Both the Skytrain and Sea Bus also allow people to bring bike onto the train/boat.

Learning about the large selection of bike types and general bike maintenance can be unnerving but there are great resources just within UBC. The Bike Kitchen works on creating an inclusive and accessible biking environment by offering a place to learn about bikes and bike maintenance. They offer a variety of services at slightly cheaper prices. Having a DIY spaces where people can drop in and work with/learn from a professional at a discounted rate as well.

The Rainy Season

Just like driving, when it’s raining it’s best to take safety and other precautions to make the best of your cycling experience. If biking on the road, make sure you are visible and cautious in making turns and braking – this is applicable to other forms of getting around like skateboarding, rollerblading, and scootering. Being visible on the road is important for a variety of reasons and can be done in different ways like:

Wearing bright colors
Adding reflective pieces to clothing or bike
Remembering to turn on the light on the bike

Water-resistant clothing or covers are always good precautions to take! When the cold temperatures hit, pieces of clothing like a pair of warm and water-resistant gloves and clothing with warmer material will be your friend in making sure you’re comfortable while cycling to campus!

Other Alternatives

Of course, there are other alternatives to getting to campus outside of busing and biking. Scenic walks through Pacific Spirit Park are always nice, albeit a little time-consuming, but offer similar benefits to biking. Ride sharing can be quite expensive, but UBC partnered up with a carpool service called Liftango to help create a network for UBC students, faculty, and staff to find carpools. The app and service are free and if you are the one driving, every trip Liftango will reward you with a $2 parking credit for any HONK-managed parking lot (Most if not all parking lots of the UBC Vancouver campus are managed by HONK).

Links + More Info on Mentioned Resources

Here are some links to some of the mentioned resources! I hope some of these tips help in your cycling journey or transition to cycling to campus. Always remember to wear your helmet!

Bike Route Planner Vancouver

UBC Bike Kitchen