With the warmer temperatures upon us, WellWorks and the Ohio University Police Department are looking forward to a new season of continued collaborative programming.
All OUPD/WellWorks events are intended to encourage healthy, active commuting and to nurture wellness-focused breaks.
Upcoming OUPD/WellWorks events include:
Stroll Patrol
When: Every Tuesday and Thursday at 12 p.m. outside Bird Arena
Stroll Patrol is a lunch-time walking group that meets twice per week. Ohio University Police Officer John Stabler said participants can expect to walk and average of 3,000 steps at each Stroll Patrol event; more importantly, the events work to create an open dialogue among participants who can voice celebrations and concerns within the OHIO and Athens communities.
“Our group has been a great example of talking together and being willing to talk with everyone,” said Stabler of the Stroll Patrol group.
Stroll Patrol walks are ongoing; any changes to the regular schedule will be announced by Stabler via Twitter. Interested participants can also request to be added to an event email list by contacting Stabler directly.
Pedal with Police
In addition to Stroll Patrol, OUPD and WellWorks are encouraging active transportation and community wellness through Pedal with Police. Each of the Pedal with Police sessions are led by Stabler who shares his knowledge of bicycling to assist others in maneuvering campus safely and efficiently while saving gas and time. Each session has a different theme to allow participants to gain more confidence maneuvering the hills and bikeways of Athens.
Previous Pedal with Police topics included Maneuvering Campus by Bike, Pedal the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, Bike Repairs on the go, and Leaves and Locks. In the session Bike Repairs on the Go, Peter Kotses from Athens Bicycle joined the ride to inform participants how to utilize the bike repair stations around Athens, including one located on-campus at the Bingham House and another at the Habitat House.
Planned Pedal with Police topics for 2019 include:
Shifting Gears, Climbing Hills
When: Wednesday, April 17 at 12 p.m.
In this session, participants can look forward to understanding how to better use their bicycle’s gears to make their rides more enjoyable and to learn how to better navigate Athens’ hills. Those interested will meet outside of Bird Arena with a bicycle.
Preparing for Bike to Work Day
When: Monday, May 13 at 12 p.m.
Join Stabler for a practice ride to learn some tips and tricks when commuting to work via bicycle. Those interested will meet outside of Bird Arena with a bicycle.
Bike to Work Day!
When: Friday, May 17 at 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Various local businesses and organizations are working together to help host an exciting Bike to Work Day event in Athens County. Pop Up Pit Stops will be located in key locations from 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. to offer encouragement and refreshments to active commuters. More information can be found on Facebook.
During each bicycle event, participants can register their bikes with the Ohio University Police Department and could be eligible to receive a free bike helmet courtesy of Ohio University Transportation and Parking Services. Each event is free and open to the public.
Participants who do not own a bike or cannot transport one to campus can borrow one through the Athens County Book-A-Bike Program as well as through Black Diamond Bicycles located on West Union Street.
“I love biking and wanted to learn to maneuver campus better,” said WellWorks intern and event participant, Angie Schirtzinger. “By taking the active form of transportation by bike, I get to enjoy the breezes, and improve my wellbeing while getting my exercise in for the day. I also get to my classes faster than walking, while saving on gas and making less of an impact on the environment than if I were to travel by car.”