28
August
2019
|
14:05 PM
America/Chicago

Gators Getting in Gear with Assistance from New Houston BCycle Stations

Sept. 3 Event Celebrating New Bike Share Stations

Summary

By Mike Emery


Faculty, staff and students arrive at the University of Houston-Downtown by car, rail and bus. They also have enhanced access to two-wheeled transportation to assist in their commutes to Houston’s second largest university.

Four new Houston BCycle stations have been added on campus, offering Houstonians another way of getting to UHD and other Downtown destinations.

Operated by Houston Bike Share, Houston BCycle is the city’s premier bike share service that provides rental bicycles at stations located throughout the city. Riders can check out bikes from BCycle stations and return them to any of the 99 stations throughout Houston. Discounts are available for UHD employees and students.

The new UHD BCycle stations are now at the following locations:

  • UHD’s Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center
  • Athletic Fields near White Oak Bayou
  • Shea Street Building (Marilyn Davies College of Business) / Lot B
  • Daly Street Parking Lot

At 11 a.m., Sept. 3, UHD, Harris County Precinct 2 and Houston BCycle will celebrate the arrival of these new stations with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to be conducted at the Athletic Fields/White Oak Bayou BCycle Station. In attendance will be campus community members and a number of dignitaries making remarks, including:

  • UHD President, Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz
  • U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
  • Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia (Precinct 2)
  • Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis (Precinct 1)
  • Houston City Council Member Karla Cisneros (District H)
  • President and CEO of METRO Thomas Lambert
  • Planning & Development Department Deputy Assistant Director Jennifer Ostlind
  • Executive Director of Houston Bike Share Beth Martin

“UHD remains one of the most accessible universities in our city,” said UHD President Muñoz. “These new Houston BCycle stations further connect our university with nearby communities and offer another mode of transportation for faculty, staff and students. They are an important addition to campus and will benefit current and future Gators for years to come.”

UHD’s BCycle stations are made possible through funding from a federal Transportation Improvement Project with a 20 percent matching contribution from Commissioner Garcia.

"I believe it’s important to strengthen connectivity and access to transit in our communities,” said Commissioner Garcia. “I’m proud to support the expansion of bike share onto University of Houston-Downtown's campus. When our communities have options like this, it makes it easier to leave a car at home, which reduces congestion and pollution on and around campus."

"We are truly grateful for Commissioner Garcia's funding support. Without it, we would not have been able to bring this bike share mini-network to University of Houston-Downtown," said Beth Martin, executive director of Houston Bike Share. "UHD's campus is unique in that it's situated along both a METRO rail line and protected bike infrastructure along a beautiful bayou trail. These centrally-located stations will improve our network's density and serve students, staff, and those looking to explore Downtown and Near Northside."

The ribbon-cutting event will be conducted during UHD’s Field Day, which will feature fun activities on the University’s new Athletic Field (including an obstacle course and games).

About the University of Houston-Downtown

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.