Students and faculty participated in the Welcome Week Bike Tour on Aug. 30, part of the University’s Labor Play weekend-long event.

More than 70 students, faculty and staff participated in the 10 or 26-mile tour through Slippery Elms Trail in Bowling Green.

About 15 people left early Saturday morning to complete the extended 26-mile-long tour, with a smaller group of four following behind, while a larger group of students and faculty gathered later in the morning for the 10-mile tour. Tours left in groups of seven to 10 students and were led by a student leader.

Junior Drew Jackson said the event was something she would do again next year.

“I love being outside. I’m not from around this area, so getting to ride my bike around it to see it is something I enjoy,” Jackson said.

Being outdoors is also a reason sophomore Christina Baxter registered for the event.

“I like the outdoors and I like exercising, so this was perfect,” she said.

The tour also let students like junior Shane Starbuck learn of a good place to ride their bikes.

“I brought my own bike to school this year and had no idea where to ride it besides campus, but now I do so that’s great,” Starbuck said.

Students were able to rent bicycles through the Orange Bike Program and were also provided a free lunch from Jimmy John’s. The first 50 students that registered were also given a free T-shirt with a bike tour logo.

Dr. Nick Hennessy, sustainability coordinator, said he was more than happy with the turnout for the event.

Hennessy said the original goal for the program was to have at least 50 people register and was pleased to have met the goal by more than 20 people.

The bike tour was planned by the Office of Sustainability, which also partnered with the Wellness Connection to promote exercise and healthy activity, while also being able to enjoy the city of Bowling Green in an environmentally friendly way.

“[The tour] was good interaction between upperclassmen, freshmen and faculty,” Hennessy said. “It helps people get acclimated to [the University], enjoy the weather and nature while also meeting new people. It’s all about interactions.”