Biking to Campus

Freedom from stress, traffic and finding a place to park every morning drove Leah McCurdy to go from four wheels to two. The byproduct of her new commute has even resulted in a few unexpected benefits such as improvements to her health and fitness. 

Each morning, Leah dons her helmet to make the 1.3-mile trip on her Schwinn from her home to UTA Libraries, where she serves as director of Open Partnerships and Services. 

"When I was a faculty member, I used to live in Fort Worth and then I moved to Arlington in 2019. It was right at that time that I wanted to live close enough to work to be able to bike," Leah said. "Ever since then, I have biked to work unless it has been a torrential downpour." 

Leah stated that her stress level has decreased since leaving the vehicle at home and her overall health has improved. She has seen increased muscle tone, which helps her maintain a healthy weight. It has also helped her to strengthen her back. 

"I had back surgery in 2018. In recovery, one of the things in physical therapy we did was a stationary bike," Leah said. "I found that in the right position with my back upright, not hunched over, and stretching that I do to supplement it keeps my back healthy after that issue," Leah said. "Actually, the knee and the back are supported and strengthened by how much biking I do." 

Following examples like Leah’s, and hoping to provide alternate means of transportation, UTA Libraries is in the process of launching its bike rental program for the fall semester. To rent a bike, people need to go to the front counter of the Central Library and sign a rental agreement/liability waiver. Bicycles in this program can be rented on a semester basis.  

Before making a bike your primary means of transportation, Leah wants people to look at several things, such as safety, the time involved, and the route they look to travel. 

"If you travel on the roadway, be proactive and aware of everyone around you. Avoid high-traffic areas as much as possible. Have a realistic understanding that people do not know how to treat a bike on the road," she said. "If you are going to be in a high-traffic area, you can put mirrors on your bike's handlebars. You can also have a light on your bike. On my bike, it has a white light on the front and a red one on the back. You can also get blinkers as well." 

Leah shared that it is essential to make the bike comfortable for the ride. On her bike, she purchased a larger seat and adjusted the handlebars. It is also important to wear clothing designed for biking or not loose-fitting, covering most of the skin. These precautions will prevent clothing from getting stuck in the gears or chain and can help lessen cuts in the event of a fall. 

Above all else, purchase a helmet that fits you well and comfortably. Choosing an ill-fitting helmet can compromise protection and effectiveness in a crash. 

Bikes are a great way to connect with your community, get healthy, and provide a different means of transportation.  

So, if you want to make the switch like Leah, stop by the front desk at the UTA Central Library to find out more information on our bike lending program.