Bike Room Gives Commuters Options

Bicycling to Whatcom Community College couldn’t be easier or more convenient for students, faculty and staff. A little-known benefit for bicyclists sits tucked into the east side of WCC’s Student Recreation Center (SRC): space for bicycle commuters to change, store their personal gear and even do minor repairs is available in the WCC Bike Room.

WCC’s bike room is just beyond bike racks on the east side of the SRC. Photo by Annette Townsend, Horizon

Blue and white lettering identifies the door of WCC’s bike room located in the PAV. Photo by Annette Townsend, Horizon

Appearing as just another limited access door, the entrance to WCC’s bike room is available to those that wish to gain access. Photo by Annette Townsend, Horizon

Included as part of the SRC and Pavilion redesign, the WCC Bike Room (PAV 005) supports WCC’s goal of sustainable practices on campus. A large counter and cupboards provide space for minor bike repairs – tool kit included. Colorful lockers for day use line one wall. Bike racks located just outside the door provide an area to store your bike while on campus.

Cabinets and a workbench in the bike room provide work space and storage, including SRC provided tools for basic maintenance and repairs. Photo by Annette Townsend, Horizon

Day use lockers provide secure storage for up to 20 bicyclists. Photo by Annette Townsend, Horizon

Mary Schroeder, Student Recreation Manager, said the bike room currently has six users, most of them staff and faculty. The bike room sees more use by faculty and staff that are on campus all day than students.

“Students come to campus and use the bike racks near their classes and leave again,” Schroeder explained.

Maintained by the SRC Coordinator, users are responsible for keeping the space clean. Student Life and Development manages access which is not dependent on having membership at the SRC.

Use is limited to 20 people. Quarterly access is available on a first come, first served basis with students getting priority for the first 10 lockers.

Persons interested in using the bike room can contact Mary Schroeder to review user policies, sign a user agreement and get access programmed into their Orca ID card.