UHD Bike Club Rolls Out Monthly Rides, Advocates for UHD Cyclists
By Indira Zaldivar & Edward Saenz, The Dateline
Cycling enthusiasts joined UHD Bike Club for a 10-mile ride to Hermann Park. The six cyclists rode from the UHD sign next to the Student Life Center to Hermann Park. After seeing the sunset and socializing at Hermann Park, the cyclists rode back to UHD. Bike Club Vice President and UHD student Rachel Estrada co-led the first ride of the semester. “Being able to socialize, work out, enjoy nature and see the city has brought me the most enjoyment from joining the UHD Bike Club,” Estrada said. 
Estrada joined the Bike Club at the end of spring 2022, and she helps execute rides, promotes the organization, and thinks of events that could bring more traction to the organization. “I would like to tell other Gators that the Bike Club is for all levels of riders!” Estrada said. Don't have a bike? The Bike Club's officers offer bikes to borrow, Estrada confirmed. In fact, UHD alum Irvin Garcia borrowed a bike for the ride.
Bike Club President Bryan Alvarado said that along with promoting recreation, the club advocates on behalf of cyclists at UHD. The officers are determined to improve the accommodations of cyclists such as advocating for covered bike docks and repair stations to name a few. The club also took the initiative of presenting the opportunity to Sports & Fitness and the Dean of Students in 2022 to collaborate on the application to accredit the university as a bicycle-friendly university through the League of American Bicyclists. The club persists in that effort as the accreditation application is still pending submission.
“Being an officer for the Bike Club helps me understand a lot more about what is going on in our city and state in regard to infrastructure,” Alvarado said. “I get the most enjoyment from seeing all the people that love cycling in our city. When they see us riding, they love joining us and learning about what we do.” The club is in search of officers for the following spring semester.
Cyclists of all levels may join UHD Bike Club on the last ride of the semester at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30.
“Come out and join us to see how beautiful the city is by bicycle,” Alvarado said. “We get to see a lot of things up close and get to experience the beauty that Houston offers when you’re not in a car.”
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
