‘Bats on Bikes’ prepare to roll onto campus

Bats on Bikes, a new club being formed to encourage and support riding enthusiasts, seeks to promote bicycle commuting to and from campus.

According to Bats on Bikes President Sasha Wasko, commuting to school can be tough, especially for those students who aren't lucky enough to own a car. Biking seems like a great alternative, but it's not always easy.

"It's kind of like taking public transportation and if you've never done it before, you don't really know the ins and outs of it," Wasko said.

However, she also points to the positve aspects of cycling.

"The best thing about bicycling is that you'll never get stuck in traffic, ever," she said. "Traffic doesn't exist in your bicycling world."

Bats on Bikes is a new club at Austin Community College. So new in fact, that it's not even officially a club yet. Wasko is trying to finish the paperwork for a club that she said people might be apprehensive to join.

"It's kind of a big step to try to ride a bicycle to school if you're used to driving a car," she said.

"It might take a little energy; you have to plan differently, so it's important to have a space where we can provide information for people."

However, there are several students who have shown an interest in joining a club like Bats on Bikes.

"It's a good workout," student Jana Burke, said.

"Not only are you out in the environment, enjoying what could be presumably a nice day, but you're working out in a cost efficient manner."

Still with all the interest, Bats on Bikes had not been started earlier.

"I tried to [start Bats on Bikes] last semester, but I had some personal things come up and the wild fires kind of got in the way of being able to complete the paperwork," Wasko said.

She is close to fulfilling requirements for the club to be formed and already has another student on board to be an officer, but she's still looking for another student so the group can be formed.

Wasko has many plans for Bats on Bikes. In addition to events such as recreational rides with groups like Social Ride Austin, plans are in the works for Bats on Bikes to hold fundraisers so every campus at ACC can have new bike racks to provide support for those that commute by bicycle.

Aside from bike racks, Bats on Bikes would also provide students with a place to find information about how to bike safely, what the best routes are and champion issues that affect bicycle commuters.

"Our ultimate goal is to provide some advocacy," Wasko said. "And to feel like you have a community, so you're not just some small individual swimming amongst all the cars.