Sustainable transportation

Walking, biking, taking the bus and carpooling are more sustainable methods of getting around. UNB Sustainability encourages everyone to use these methods before driving alone. Whether you are a student, staff or faculty, UNB encourages you to use active transportation for your commute to campus.

Biking to campus is a great way for the UNB community to live sustainability. When you arrive to campus, park your bike at one of the 29 bike racks locations on the UNB Fredericton campus.

Academic Bike Challenge

UNB Sustainability is hosting the 3rd annual Academic Bike Challenge (ABC) during the month of August to encourage staff, faculty and, students to cycle more in their daily lives. Last year, UNB cycled a total of 5,575 kms!

ABC is a free event hosted by the German Münster University of Applied Science in partnership with the global bicycle App "Naviki".

About the challenge

All staff, faculty and, students of UNB can participate from either campus. Participants are encouraged to create teams and compete against others!

To participate in the ABC, participants simply record their everyday bike trips with the free Naviki app to track their kilometres.


Ride with us! Join the Academic Bike Challenge by:

  1. Downloading the Naviki app and registering
  2. In the app, go to More → Contests → ABC 2023 → I'm Participating
  3. Create or join a team
  4. Cycle and record your trips in the app

The ABC runs for the entire month of August. Participants are free to cycle wherever and whenever they wish. This is not restricted to campus-related activities, and you can include leisure rides.


While leisure cycling is encouraged during the ABC, biking to campus is also something to strive for. UNB Sustainability offers you resources to encourage you to cycle to campus including:

Bike racks: You can park your bike on one of 29 bike racks located on UNB's Fredericton Campus or 5 bike racks on the Saint John Campus. Find the one most convenient for you using our Sustainability Map and lock your bike.

Free shower access is available on the Fredericton Campus at the CURRIE CENTER and on the Saint John Campus at the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre. Just show proof of participation on your phone app!


UNB Sustainability will award the top three participants (who biked the farthest), with 1st place receiving a $100 gift card to a local bike shop, 2nd place will get a $75 gift card, and 3rd place a $50 gift card! A fourth $50 gift card is awarded to someone outside of the top three who also participated! (Every 10 km biked = 1 entry). 


By Joining the contest, participants accept the Naviki Terms of Use, which will be immediately accessible from the Naviki app. The Naviki's Terms of Use are in line with the strict European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

A specific section of the Naviki Terms of Use relates to the ABC. Users will not be able to see trips recorded by other participants if these have been declared as "private" by their creator. Participants can easily switch their individual routes from "public" to "private". Users do not have to provide their real names but a nickname, which will be visible publicly.


Great Bike Giveaway

UNB Sustainability, UNB Security and Financial Aid Officer partner to offer students who demonstrate finanical need a bicycle. We have partnered with Savages Bicycle Centre to refurbish bicycles that were previously abandoned or donated. The bikes have been tuned up and are ready to hit the road - or trail! 

Students can apply to win a free refurbished bike and safety gear to help them get around town and be more active.

Apply now or pick up your application at the Financial Aid Office located on the 1st Floor, CC Jones Student Services Centre.

Eligibility

Eligibility is restricted to full-time UNB Fredericton students with demonstrated financial need. Students must also be in good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 and over from the most recent assessment year; entrance GPA's count for 1st year students) to be eligible for program consideration.

Due to the limited number of available refurbished bicycles, program eligibility will not guarantee award. Bicycles will be handed out on a case-by-case basis to the successful applicants(s). Other bikes may be awarded as they become available.

Reasons to bike to campus

Cycling to campus avoids the carbon which would be produced from your vehicle burning fuel during your commute. You help fight climate change and contribute to a healthier environment by reducing your carbon emissions.


Improve your physical health by cycle commuting. Choosing to bike means commuting to campus while you get your daily exercise. Give yourself a positive start to your day and keep your body healthy too.


Spending time outdoors in the fresh air improves your mental wellbeing. Put your mind at ease and take a break from technology.


Biking to campus instead of driving reduces your fuel costs to zero dollars. You will also reduce car maintenance costs and other vehicle-related expenses. The campus bike racks are free and easily accessible everywhere on campus.


Biking to work allows you to avoid rush hour traffic. Exercise, save money and get fresh air all at the same time.


Did you enjoy biking as a kid? Biking is just as fun as an adult.


Helping you get on your bike

Tune up your bike and learn about its maintenance at the bike maintenance workshop, at the Kinesiology Building’s covered bike rack. Knowledgable cyclists will assist you during this green event in getting your bike road-ready and show you how to do this yourself.


REDS Rec provides those commuting on bikes access to showers during Bike to Campus week. Bring your UCard to The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER front desk to get access to the shower rooms, even if you’re not a URec member, you can freshen up after your bike ride to campus.


You can park your bike on one of 29 bike racks located on UNB’s Fredericton campus. Find the one most convenient for you and lock your bike. UNB Security recommends to use a “U” bike lock and to register your bike with them to prove ownership.