Your guide for commuting to campus—without the headache

With a new school year, there are new challenges. Some of you might be veterans at navigating the challenges of student life, and some of you are just starting your post-secondary journey.

No matter how prepared we are though, construction around campus is as changeable as the latest TikTok trend.

Between the construction of the Valley Line LRT and the MacEwan School of Business, there are multiple roads blocked off that would otherwise give you access to campus. At the time of writing, the only ways you can easily get to MacEwan involve detouring by the Unity Square Safeway and accessing campus from the northwest, or by going down and around the campus on 105^th and rerouting back to 109^th or crossing at the lights...

The orange outline is MacEwan. Look at all those closures...

It’s dizzying.

Luckily, we have a few strategies for getting around that pesky construction, and there's good advice that will be relevant once all the construction is finally gone.

Read on to learn the best commuting alternatives, pros and cons of each, and get some extra tips for dealing with cold weather.

Commuting Options

The different commuting options that are typically used by students include walking, biking, Park and Ride, or the usual LRT or bus routes. These options should help you avoid most of the construction.

Walking

Do you live within a walkable distance to campus? Lucky you. Walking is the most straightforward way to get to class, as there are still a good number of accessible crosswalks and sidewalks for pedestrians. Here’s a further breakdown of the pros and cons.

Pros: Good for your health Saves money on parking fees and fuel Practically no issue getting stuck in construction

Cons: Cold weather can make walking a challenge Mind/body limitations might not make this feasible Delayering at school can be a bit of a pain

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Biking

MacEwan’s campus is quite bike friendly. There are several ways to lock up on campus, though we recommend the coded locker in building 9, or the bike cage in the parkade just east of residence.

Check back on MacEwan Green Scene for updates about upcoming bike events and workshops.

Pros: Able to commute further than on foot Good workout Faster than walking Riders have access to roads, bike lanes, or sidewalks if necessary Free bike-specific parking areas Wide community of cyclists on campus with upcoming workshops and events Practical and fun!

Cons: Need to be able to handle basic maintenance to bike as necessary Initial costs can be a little high if you don’t already own a bike and helmet Physical limitations might affect ability to commute Lack of confidence cycling on roads can limit routes Bike theft is a problem Can be tough to bike in bad weather

Gear recommendations and tips for a comfortable and safe bike experience:

• Helmet

• Flashing lights for low light visibility or reflectors

• U-lock and cable lock

• Fenders to stay clean in wet/mucky conditions

• Optional rack with bags (panniers) or a place to secure your backpack

• Studded tires (a must have for icy conditions)

Bike Index Sticker

Make sure you register your bike with the Edmonton Bike Index (it’s free!) and if your bike happens to be taken, you have a better chance of getting it back.

Cranky’s Bike Shop just west of Allard Hall can help you do this and provide you with the registration sticker.

If you want to lock up in the Robbins bike locker, you can access it from the North Side of the building. Make sure you email Parking Services at parking@macewan.ca and use your student email to get the code.

Do the same if you want a key for the bike cage in the 110^th street parkade (just east of the Residence).

If you have to lock up outside, take any valuable bike accessories with you and do your best to lock up as securely as possible.

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Park and Ride (Bus or LRT)

Park and Ride is a good solution for those coming from out of town, those who want to save on parking fees and fuel, or those who might not be able (or want) to bike or walk.

Pros: The U-pass lets you ride transit for free Many students use transit time to study MacEwan LRT station located behind MacEwan’s fifth building makes it easier to get to campus Lots of park and ride locations around the city (Find them here)

Cons: Buses still subject to construction delays Transit not always on time Very cold weather may cause dead batteries Not everyone feels safe taking transit (especially later at night).

The bus stops around MacEwan have also been changed a little bit to accommodate the construction, so be mindful of where you need to go.

If your bus or train is consistently late, talking to your instructors about your commuting challenges is a good idea, especially if attendance is mandatory.

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Tips for cold weather commuting

Depending on how far you walk or cycle, the colder months can feel a little daunting. If you grew up in a cold climate, you’re probably already familiar with the tips we have to offer. For those who may be coming from warmer areas though, this is important info:

1.     Dress in layers. Have a nice warm sweater layered underneath your winter coat, and if it’s really cold, add a long-sleeved shirt and look into investing in a warm pair of leggings to wear under your regular pants, or maybe even some light snow pants.

2.     Don’t skip the hats, gloves, or scarf. Frostbite can happen within minutes to ears, noses, and fingers—especially in windy conditions.

3.     Walk or cycle quickly and have warm footwear and/or socks. It might take you a little bit to warm up, but moving briskly will help.

4.     When cycling, slow down around turns and brake early to avoid sliding out.

The construction is always changing our routes, so ultimately, we recommend just checking google maps before you go and ensuring you leave for class with plenty of time to account for traffic (and possibly coffee) delays.