Stationary bikes added to EV1
Estimated reading time: 1:15
Have a hard time fitting activity into your day? Use one the Faculty of Environment's new bike desks and cycle while you study!
According to the 2022 University of Waterloo Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey results, almost 60% of University of Waterloo students spend at least eight hours per day sitting. Through a partnership with Athletics and Recreation, the Faculty of Environment has installed three bike desks in the EV1 Courtyard, the ESS Lounge (EV1-139), and the Graduate Lounge (EV1-325) in an effort to help students engage in physical activity that will improve mental well-being.
More active study spaces
Treadmill and bike desks are not totally new to campus. Currently, Dana Porter Library offers an active study space with one treadmill desk and one bike desk and the Student Life Centre offers three bicycle desks and will be expanding to add two treadmill desks this fall. Feedback from users and project partners has been overwhelmingly positive and users have advocated for expansion of these active study spaces across campus. In feedback surveys, partners found that:
- 100% of respondents felt that bicycle desks should stay on campus permanently
- 90% of respondents would use an active study desk elsewhere on campus
- 96% would use active study desks daily or weekly if available
- 92% of students agree that their mood was boosted after using the bicycle desk
Based on this encouraging feedback, Athletics and Recreation is engaging with faculties like ours to enhance active study space offerings with the goal to create spaces where students can engage in movement and mindfulness practices while studying, reducing barriers to incorporating movement and support mental health.
