Zooming through campus on a new electrical assist bike, the Office of Sustainability is excited to talk about sustainability — and the SustainableUMD turtle is leading the way. In 2021, the Office of Sustainability received funding to create a mobile outreach center, now known as the SustainableUMD Outreach Bike. A new tool for engagement in the Office of Sustainability, the Outreach Bike adds mobility and addresses one of the grand challenges on our campus: sustainability and climate action.
As part of the Office of Sustainability’s Earth Month 2023 programming, campus events are encouraged to highlight their connections to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a framework adopted by the United Nations (UN) member states in 2015 that pave the way for just and equitable societies. Aside from member states, various businesses, universities, and nonprofits rely on the goals to relate their work to sustainability and show the strides they are making for global sustainability development. The SDGs recognize that sustainability solutions come from partnerships and collaborations across industries. Throughout the University of Maryland (UMD), many initiatives connect to the SDGs such as courses, research opportunities, and operations programs. For more information on SDGs at UMD, visit the SustainableUMD Progress Hub.
The SustainableUMD Outreach Bike embodies many of the SDGs as it travels across campus. For instance, the Outreach Bike aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The bike helps the Office of Sustainability reduce its carbon emissions when transporting materials to outreach events. The Outreach Bike aims to inspire others on campus to think of sustainable alternatives for their travel around campus and commutes. To learn more about sustainable transportation options, connect with the Department of Transportation’s SmartCommute program, earn rewards, and ride around UMD’s Gold Level Bike-Friendly campus.
Like the SDGs, achieving UMD’s Sustainability Goals in the Climate Action Plan cannot be accomplished by one individual or group. People and organizations must collaborate and share their expertise to create lasting change. The Outreach Bike assists the Office of Sustainability in fostering connections by providing an engaging resource for campus partners to host sustainability events. A team of campus members from the Department of Transportation Services, Residence Life, and Terrapin Works contributed to the concept and building of the bike.
Visit the SustainableUMD website to learn more about the Outreach Bike. Join the SustainableUMD Network in promoting sustainable change on campus by requesting the Outreach Bike at your next sustainability-focused event.
Test your knowledge of the SDGs with the quiz below!