Active Transportation
Cycling, walking, skateboarding and other modes of active transportation are great ways for individuals and communities to reduce emissions and choose a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation.
Active transportation is an important part of the Western community. The Thames Valley Parkway (TVP) creates a beautiful gateway onto Western's campus for active transportation users. The TVP extends both to the north and south of campus through parks with scenic views of the river.
Campus Resources
Parking Services provides secured bike areas across campus, such as the Bike Shelter and Bike Lockers. These secure parking options can help prevent bike theft and enable more people in the campus community to choose cycling as their primary mode of transportation. View the Bike Parking Map on Parking Services website for more details.
Western Special Constable Service has a helpful list of tips and resources for Bike Protection on their website. WSCS also holds an annual Bike Auction during Bike to Campus Day in the Fall to support affordable access to bicycles for our campus community.
A collaborative initiative between Dr. Metson, Dr. Buchkowski, and Dr. DeGroot has made an electric cargo bike and trailer available for students, faculty, and staff to book for field-work and other campus initiatives. This initiative was supported by the Western Sustainable Impact Fund.
Two bike repair stations have been installed on campus. Led by Western Active Transportation Society and Western Community for Active Transportation, and supported by the Western Sustainable Impact Fund, these stations work to support active and sustainable transportation on campus. The stations are located by the Western Rec Centre, near the secure bike shelter, and beside the Physics & Astronomy Building, along Middlesex Drive.
Western's Open Space Strategy describes the University's goals for sustainable transportation on campus.
Getting Involved
Western Active Transportation Society (WATS) is a multidisciplinary group of Western faculty, staff and students who are passionate about researching and promoting safe cycling and walking as a means of transportation. Cycling and walking is fun, and research clearly shows that it is good for body, brain, society and environment.
WestERn Community for Active Transport (WERCAT) is organized by Western Emergency Medicine and powered by a handful of dedicated medical students from Schulich School of Medicine. WERCAT provides a community for those looking to transition to non-car transport at LHSC and St. Joseph’s Hospital Campuses and engages in community advocacy to make active transport options more viable for all.
