Do you walk, bike, bus, or carpool to school? You may not think about it, but those are all forms of sustainable transportation! The week of Sept. 19, Bishop’s University’s Sustainable Development Office hosted Sustainable Transportation Week, a week full of events, conferences, and prizes, all in the spirit of encouraging sustainable transportation. One of the ways this was done was by free coffee given out in the morning to those arriving by foot on Monday, bikers on Tuesday, electric car drivers and carpoolers on Wednesday, and those taking the bus on Thursday. 

On Tuesday Sept. 20, under the gazebo, Bishop’s received Michael from VÉLOBAHN, who ran a bike mechanic service, where students and staff came to drop off their bikes for a tune-up, repairs, a quick tire pump, and even part replacement!

On Wednesday Sept. 21 during lunchtime, the Conseil Régional de l’Environnement de l’Estrie hosted a very informative conference about sustainable transportation, where students, staff, and hosts discussed the impacts our transportation habits have on climate change, how to modify these habits, and the ways cities can play a role in changing the way we all get around. Wednesday also happened to be National Tree Day, and to celebrate, the Sustainable Development Office in collaboration with Bishop’s Environmental Club planted five trees behind Patterson Residence, along with students and staff who joined the event.

On Friday Sept. 23, the Sustainable Transportation Fair was scheduled during the regular Friday farmers’ market under the gazebo for participants to have the opportunity to test out some electric bikes, as well as watch a demonstration of electric cars. 

The theme of the week was timed perfectly, with Friday afternoon also being the Fridays for the Future Climate March for Social and Climate Justice capping off the end of the week. Students and staff from Bishop’s community joined the crowd of protesters in the strike for climate action, held in Parc Jacques Cartier in downtown Sherbrooke. Throughout the week, students participating in the different events got to enter a draw to win either a free STS bus pass for the academic school year or a $50 Limocar gift card, a bus line traveling between Sherbrooke and Montreal. The lucky winners will be announced the week of Sept. 26! 

Despite the rainy weather, Sustainable Transportation Week was a success, with many participants enjoying the events and educating themselves on how to reduce their carbon footprint, starting with how we get to campus.