Transportation Services Wins Top Honors At National Conference

The Texas A&M Transportation Services’ Alternative Transportation Program received the 2016 Association for Commuter Transportation, (ACT), Marketing & Community Outreach Award, as a result of the successful implementation of the department- sponsored “Wheeler Wednesday”—a weekly event aimed at promoting cycling on campus.

This most recent recognition is another accomplishment for the Alternative Transportation unit as its overall effort to create a more bike-friendly campus resulted in Texas A&M receiving the prestigious Bike Friendly University designation in fall of 2015, Transportation Services (TS) officials note.

Wheeler Wednesday provides students, staff, and faculty with the opportunity to receive free information and resources about biking on and around campus. The weekly event also offers additional information regarding alternative transportation options available through TS.

ACT announced the award winners during the 2016 international conference in Portland. ACT represents major employers, public transportation departments, and private sector transportation providers to improve transportation options, livability and economic competitiveness.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment for our department and a testament to our goal of achieving a more bike friendly campus here at Texas A&M,” said TS Executive Director Peter Lange. “The Alternative Transportation unit is transforming the way we look at cycling and the successful implementation of Wheeler Wednesday is yet another way we can serve the needs of the biking community.”

Avid cyclist and Alternative Transportation Program Coordinator Jeffrey Puckett leads the weekly Wheeler Wednesday event. Cyclist can receive free bicycle checkups, while learning more about how to work on and tune up their own bicycles. When a bicycle requires repairs beyond what he can coach cyclists to do on their own he takes the opportunity to promote the on-campus DIY bicycle shop called “The Hub”, which provides more advanced repair classes, or shares information about the local bicycle shops. Puckett also provides added services such as free bicycle engravings and bicycle registration.

Additionally, Puckett uses Wheeler Wednesday as a platform to promote other forms of alternative transportation that the university offers, such as the bicycle lease program, Borrow-A-Bike program, secure summer bicycle storage, rideshare, car share, as well as the intercity weekend/holiday shuttle.

“I absolutely love the idea of biking on campus. I feel that it is hands down the most efficient form of transportation on and off campus,” said Puckett. “I am flattered the association felt Wheeler Wednesday was worthy of this award. I also hope this award creates more excitement about this weekly event and look forward to helping all the student, staff, and faculty that visit my table this coming Fall semester,” he added.

More than 450 transportation professionals from federal, state and local governments, universities, and major businesses attended the conference that kicked off with an opening reception featuring U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), a leading voice in Congress for transportation options and livable communities. This year, 80 organizations were nominated for 18 awards in categories that include marketing, research and commuting options.

ACT president Robert Henry hailed winners as model programs in the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) field. The full list of 2016 winners is available online: http://actweb.org/act-national-awards-winners-named-at-portland-conference/.

“Every day, every commute and every carpool is a journey,” Henry said. “As mobility rapidly changes with advances in technology, it is wonderful to see so many leaders working to improve our journeys and our environment at the same time.”