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Environment

Laurier participates in Canadian Commuter Challenge for 10th year

WATERLOO – Members of the Wilfrid Laurier University community will park their cars this June as they participate in the Canadian Commuter Challenge, a friendly competition between organizations nationwide to reduce greenhouse gases.

For the week of June 5 to 11, staff and faculty at Laurier will use environmentally friendly modes of transportation – such as biking, walking, carpooling or public transit – to get around town and to commute to and from work.

“This is the 10th year in a row that the Laurier community has demonstrated the university’s commitment to the environment and sustainable transportation,” said Sue Dawson, manager of Parking and Transportation Resources, who is participating for her 7th year. “By participating in this challenge, our hope is that employees will see how easy it can be to make small changes to their modes of transportation.”

Laurier will kick off the Commuter Challenge with its annual Hawk Walk on June 1, followed by ice cream and an info-fair featuring a number of vendors, including the Region of Waterloo and Grand River Car Share. Other events happening across the Region include 2-for-1 Transit Tuesday on June 7. Visit the Region of Waterloo's website for more event information.

“This is going to be an exciting campaign,” said Adam Mawer, Laurier’s 2011 Commuter Challenge coordinator. “There are so many ways to make changes to everyday travel, and we hope employees will enjoy exploring new modes of transportation that work for them.”

To participate in the Commuter Challenge, register online or contact Adam at 519-884-0710 ext. 3099 or parking@wlu.ca.

It is about to get easier to get around Laurier’s Waterloo campus with several new initiatives being spearheaded by the Sustainability Office and Physical Resources. Over the summer, 25 bike racks are going up at the Waterloo campus, as well as three crosswalks. One crosswalk will be erected on Mid-Campus Drive between the stairs leading to the Quad and the pay n’ display parking lot directly across from it. The second one will go between Willison Hall and the Science Building. The third crosswalk will link Willison Hall and the Bricker Academic Building.

The Sustainability Office is also researching a formal carpooling program and the feasibility of an electric fleet of vehicles for use on campus.

“These are just the first steps in creating a more sustainable and walkable campus,” said Claire Bennett, Laurier’s sustainability coordinator. “Over the coming months we’ll be implementing even more changes that will build on the university’s plan for a more sustainable future.”