This summer, Rabbi Dena Bodian, Associate University Chaplain and Director of Jewish Life, contacted the Sustainability Office with a concern and a potential solution. The concern: not enough Colgate students were wearing bicycle safety helmets. The solution: to provide a safety helmet to any student who needed one as part of Colgate’s Green Bikes program.
Rabbi Bodian’s concern was supported by the 2012 National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey which indicated that 35 percent of Colgate students do not wear a helmet consistently and 19 percent never wear a helmet at all. So, when Rabbi Bodian approached Dean of the College, Suzy Nelson, and Director of the Shaw Wellness Institute, Thad Mantaro, to ask if they were interested in sponsoring the program, both were excited to do so. Each generously offered matching funds to purchase 50 helmets for use on campus.
Today, every Green Bike rental includes a safety helmet with an extra 25 helmets available for any student cyclist who needs one. Interested? Contact the Sustainability Office at sustainability@colgate.edu to request your helmet. Hurry they are going fast.
Bicycle commuting is not only popular among students. Over the past few years, we have seen a growing trend in bicycle use among Colgate faculty and staff. The next time you take out your bike, remember to set a good example and wear your safety helmet. Fall in Central New York is a wonderful time to bicycle. In the meantime, the Sustainability Office would like to give a huge thank you to Rabbi Bodian, Suzy Nelson, and Thad Mantaro for supporting bicycle commuting and rider safety on campus!
Bicycle commuter at Colgate without a safety helmet!