How the University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg campus rec center and the Student Green Energy Fund encourage sustainable campus transportation.
Sustainability is an increasingly popular topic with college students, with many campus rec centers implementing eco-friendly initiatives and programs. One standout example is the sustainable campus transportation efforts at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USF St. Petersburg).
The campus recently collaborated with the Student Green Energy Fund to invest in a new bike program. It’s focus is to make sustainable campus transportation more comfortable and accessible.
“Campus Recreation commits to developing initiatives that enhance student well-being and support our campus community,” said Benjamin Pazian, the assistant director of Programs at USF St. Petersburg. “This program easily aligns with that mission, providing our students with a sustainable transportation option.”
USF St. Petersburg’s old bikes needed an upgrade, as they prioritized security and speed over comfort and functionality. Initially, Pazian liked the security features because of how common bike theft can be on college campuses. But to better serve the needs and wants of the campus community, they opted to upgrade.
The students left comments asking about better seats for a more comfortable ride or something better suited for the environment in St. Petersburg. The previous bikes targeted commuters and delivery bikers in dense city environments, which wasn’t what the students needed. Their input helped Campus Recreation decide what features to prioritize in the new bikes. “That’s how it came to buying something that’s simple, robust and provides a better user experience,” said Pazian.
The new bikes, supplied by Miami-based vendor Sun Bicycles, feature step-through frames and larger tires for a smoother, more comfortable ride — perfect for navigating curbs and potholes throughout the city. They also include a basket to hold students’ bags, bottles or groceries, adding to the functionality of the bikes. They aren’t only easier to use, but their simpler maintenance also allows staff to focus on safety and general upkeep.
Equipped with accountability features, the new bikes ensure there are still security aspects without maintenance dealing with the complexity. Every bike has a sticker registered with the local police department so they have information if there’s an incident. There are also tracking features to help the Student Green Energy Fund see the impact.
Pazian said the collaboration with the Student Green Energy Fund was a very straightforward process. It allowed him and his team to ensure they were benefiting the campus community.
For campus recreation centers looking to embrace sustainable campus transportation, Pazian recommends engaging with student organizations to understand their priorities and consulting with experts to ask where they’ve seen success. He also said it can be helpful to look into similar programs to find out the benefits, drawbacks and what they learned.
Maintaining clear communication was vital for Pazian and his team — with vendor and the students whose needs guided the initiative.
“Collaborating with student organizations to develop initiatives that enhance the student experience is always valuable,” said Pazian. “These partnerships not only promote sustainability but also foster innovation through research and a collaborative mindset. If we maintain that and are well informed, we’re going to have a greater impact with the initiative.”
