RaffiGharakhani
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6 Reasons You Should Bring a Bike to the University of Washington

1. We have a beautiful campus
Seattle isn’t always cloudy so it’s important to get outside and enjoy the sunlight when it’s there. Some people prefer to play frisbee or lay under the sun, but there’s nothing like a nice ride on a beautiful day. Ride past Drumheller Fountain and catch a fantastic view of Mount Rainier. Or ride under the cherry blossoms through The Quad and into Red Square where you’ll find the stunning Suzzallo Library.
2. Late for Class?
If you’re anything like me, getting to class on-time can be a struggle. The campus is large, but all of the buildings are a reasonable walking distance from each other. However, on those days when your alarm doesn't go off a bike is your best friend. Hop on and get to any building is in less than 10 minutes. The campus offers bike parking close to every building so it isn’t difficult to find a place to keep your bike. With this in mind, make sure you bring a lock! Bicycle theft is a problem on many college campuses so you can never be too cautious.
3. Living in the Dorms?
The dormitories on campus offer large and secure storage rooms in every building. Each room requires a key card for the respective building to enter and has a place to hang and lock your bike. For people like me with multiple bikes this storage unit keeps all of my gear safe. The rooms are also equipped with an air pump and tools that you can use for basic repairs and maintenance.
4. Going to the Gym?
Many college students simply can’t find the time to go to the gym, at least they think so. The gym can be far, especially when you live on West Campus or in Greek Row. Using a bike significantly decreases the travel time to the gym which eliminates at least one excuse for not going in the first place. If you don’t feel like going to the gym, riding your bike is a great workout too; no matter how far you go you are doing your body a favor.
5. Explore!
Seattle is filled with beautiful places to ride your bike. UW is located right on Lake Washington and is connected to the Burke-Gillman Trail which starts in Bothell and travels down the lake through Gas Works Park and into Fremont. Another option is to ride through the Arboretum south of campus and travel down to the Seward Park Loop. Lastly, if you’re up for it, the Lake Washington Loop is a 55 mile ride that takes you all the way around the lake. No matter what distance you choose, your bike can always take you somewhere exciting in Seattle.
6. Bike-Friendly
Seattle is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. There are bike lanes almost everywhere you go and if there aren’t, drivers are usually respectful of space. The streets of the U-District, Downtown, and other districts are painted with bright-green, protected bike lanes that provide a safe place to ride. This allows for pedestrians to walk comfortably on the sidewalk instead of being avoided by bicycles. Seattle also has a great resources for cyclists, such as commuter stops, many repair shops, pit stops and events.
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