Winona State University has been awarded a grant for $14,650 by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency through the Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon program.

The funding will support the growth of a bicycle-based community and assist in the university’s efforts to reduce total carbon emissions and minimize campus parking problems.

WSU’s bicycle program, “A Million Miles Per Gallon,” encourages the use of bicycles as a viable alternative to automobile transportation. The campus hosts an annual student-led Bike Week each spring, and has established a student-run bike repair station as well as a Student Senate-approved bike rental program.

The 3rd annual Bike Week will be held April 12-16.  Events will include an introduction to mountain biking and road cycling, a bicycle-based scavenger hunt, the return of the Bike Phantom and basic bicycle repair, including pumping up tires and oiling bike chains.

Funding from the grant will further these initiatives by guaranteeing student staffing for the WSU Bike Station; supporting the purchase of 20 additional industrial cruiser bikes for the Purple Bike Program; and aiding in the installation of bicycle racks on the student shuttle service, enabling mixed bike and public transportation options.

The university also expects the increase in bicycle use to reduce parking problems and improve relations with residents in the surrounding community, said Gretchen Michlitsch, Environmental Club advisor.

Data estimates from 2007-08 indicate 1,782 metric tons of the university’s total carbon dioxide emissions are attributable to students commuting via personal vehicle. However, according to data gathered from students in February 2009, 45 percent of students have a bicycle in town, and every additional 19 students who bike, walk, or take the bus to campus instead of driving would result in 154,764 fewer pounds of carbon emissions per year.

The funding for the grant was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

For more information, e-mail Michlitsch at: GMichlitsch@winona.edu.