Temple University Ambler, the Temple University Office of Sustainability and the Temple University Office of the Provost hosted the first ever Temple University Bike Tour on Sunday.
Temple University geared up for its inaugural Bike Tour on Sunday, spearheaded by Rebecca Collins, director of Temple University's Office of Sustainability, according to Temple University’s Ambler campus.
The tour, spanning 22 miles, kicked off at the Temple University Athletic Field in Philadelphia and wound through scenic routes including Fairmount Park, Wissahickon Valley Park, and Fort Washington State Park, culminating at the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University.
Dr. Vicki Lewis McGarvey, vice provost for University College and Director of Temple University Ambler, was excited about the event, emphasizing its goal to unite students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the wider community in embracing sustainable transportation and appreciating the city's green spaces.
"The goal of the Bike Tour is to have students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of the Philadelphia and regional cycling community — truly anyone — join us on this beautiful tour and see firsthand how we can make these connections between the city and its surroundings,” she said in the Temple article.
McGarvey credited Carter van Dyke, a member of the Temple University Ambler Board of Visitors, for initially conceptualizing the greenway tour connecting Temple's Main Campus and Ambler.
"We started talking about it as a greenway tour from the beginning and how you could travel between the two campuses essentially within a greenway with only one or two of the 22 miles on regular roads. It was a way that we could tangibly get people directly involved in sustainability — I don't think many people realize you can bike between Main Campus and Temple Ambler,” McGarvey said in the release.
"I am a cyclist, which is where the idea of a Bike Tour between the two campuses started — I love the greenway between Temple's Main Campus and Temple Ambler," van Dyke said in the Temple article. "I couldn't think of a more beautiful experience than biking between these two venues.”
The event aimed not only to promote sustainability, but also to foster community engagement and support for Temple Ambler.
Chris Willard, director of Tactical and Professional Development in Temple's Department of Public Safety, liked the tour's potential to raise awareness about the region's trail systems and encourage active transportation.
"We've got some great trail systems — the Schuylkill River Trails, the Chester Valley Trail, the Perkiomen Trail — and I don't think they get the exposure that they should. People don't realize they can get from point A to Point B using the walking and biking trails," she said in the article.
Meghan Duffy, senior director of Health and Wellbeing Operations, said the tour aligns with Temple's well-being mission, offering participants an opportunity for physical activity and community connection.
"You see this important push throughout the University — students with bicycles, the Independence Blue Cross electric bikes that they can rent from the racks," she said in the report.
The celebration at the Ambler Arboretum featured various activities, including tours, crafts, games, and refreshments, inviting all participants to explore Temple Ambler's offerings.
Steve Sassaman, assistant director for Recreation, Outdoor Education & Wellness (ROW) at Ambler, underscored the event's significance in promoting holistic health and community cohesion.
He said cycling is a means to enhance well-being and urged participants to embrace nature and advocate for bike-friendly infrastructure.
Collins appreciated the Bike Tour's role in advancing Temple's sustainability goals, particularly in promoting low-carbon transportation options.
She said it was important that the tour had accessibility and the support provided to riders of all experience levels, encouraging community members to seize the opportunity to explore biking as a sustainable mode of transport.
Overall, the Temple University Bike Tour represented a collaborative effort to promote sustainability, community engagement, and wellbeing while showcasing the beauty of Philadelphia's green spaces.
Read more on the event at Temple University’s website here.
