From Waterdown to Mac and back

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/ChrisMarriott.jpg” caption=”Chris Marriott of the Department of Medicine wheels his way from Waterdown to McMaster in rain, snow or sun, and visits all three hospital sites by bike. “]Chris Marriott shrugs his shoulders and claims that “most people can do it”. But to his co-workers in Nuclear Medicine, Marriott's average day's commute by bike – which amounts to between 25 and 30 kilometres – is a heroic feat. In fact, his commitment to two-wheeled transport earned him 12 separate Commuter Hero nominations last year.

“He's the only person I know that rides his bike to work every day. Winter, summer, spring, rain, snow. I wish I had that much energy,” admits Scott McNaughton, one of Marriott's nominators.

“He's amazing,” Rania Arabi adds. “We all think he's insane because one day he rode his bike here from London, Ontario. That's what? An hour by car at least. But we just love it. Every morning he comes flying in here wearing his little bike shorts and sometimes he brings us treats in his knapsack.”

Marriott is not alone in his efforts. From June 5 to 11, McMaster employees and students will be pedalling hard or simply riding the bus to surpass last year's stunning results in the Commuter Challenge, a national celebration of alternatives to the drive-alone car commute. In 2004, 12.36 per cent of the campus community travelled by bus, bike, carpool or on foot during the week-long event, either for their work-day commute or to complete outside-work errands.

To participate in the Commuter Challenge you can fill out a pledge form online at ACT.mcmaster.ca or get a hard-copy pledge card from one of the Commuter Challenge co-ordinators who are drumming up enthusiasm in departments across campus. Participants in the Challenge will be treated to a free pancake breakfast with President Peter George on Friday, June 3 from 8 to 10 a.m. in the McMaster University Student Centre as a kick-off to this year's event.

Marriott, who has been coming to McMaster on a bike for 23 years, had a fine role model in his father, who rode his bike daily to Joseph Brant hospital from Waterdown. Marriott rode to McMaster while he was an undergrad, and wheeled his way around Montreal when he lived there. Now that he's an assistant professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences it's a habit that he breaks only when the weather is too snowy. Then he runs into work.

Both McNaughton and Arabi point out that Marriott visits all three hospital sites by bike, a fact that Marriott asserts can save time. “By the time you circle around to find parking you could've ridden a good distance on a bike. You can look for 15 minutes for a spot at the General. Instead of sitting in traffic, I'm getting exercise.”

His cycle commute allows him to avoid the headaches of road construction, too. When asked whether the construction on Main St. in front of the university affected his ride, without hesitation or irony Marriott responded, “What construction?”

To encourage McMaster commuters to get fit and feel confident on their walk or ride to campus, the ACT Office is hosting an Active Transportation Fair on Wednesday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Centre. Vendors from local cycle and running shops, as well as campus and community services promoting active and sustainable transportation, will be available to help you gear up for this year's Challenge.

Marriott has tips for those considering cycling to campus during the Challenge; he asserts that you don't need any special equipment to be a bicycle commuter. His advice? Wear old clothes, buy an old bike, layer your pants, wear hiking boots, and bring a backpack big enough to hold treats for your staff.