The pleasant weather is a great motivator to commute by bike in the summer, but it can be more difficult to opt for two-wheeled transportation in the academic year with colder temperatures and increased traffic. Fortunately, there are many resources for cyclists at MSU, which earned a bronze Bicycle Friendly University award in 2011.

In addition to the repairs and other services offered at the Bike Service Center, there are eight do-it-yourself repair stations on campus.

Registered bike commuters can access showers and lockers in IM Circle for free and store their bikes in secure and enclosed bike garages as well. Find out more here.

Traffic will ebb and flow on campus depending on class schedules. To enjoy a less congested ride, avoid biking just after 11:40 a.m. or just before 12:40 p.m., two common class end and start times.

The warm weather will come to an end soon, but don’t let the cold stop you from getting great exercise, saving on gas money and reducing carbon emissions. Layer up and wear a wind breaker and gloves to help retain heat. The exercise will help to keep you warm as well.

Finally, the Bike Service Center gets busy at the beginning of the new semester, so if you want receive repairs, maintenance or any other service try to go before student move-in at the very end of August.

Remember to bike in the bike lanes or roads, and not the sidewalks. Be especially cautious at the beginning of the year because many arriving students are inexperienced or out of practice with biking. Read more cyclist safety tips here.

Get more out of the beautiful MSU autumn campus and enjoy more biking commuter benefits by continuing to bike this academic year.