Bowling Green residents struggling to balance work, family, and a healthy lifestyle now have the opportunity to do so thanks to a resource created by other members of the community who have experienced the same dilemma. You'll notice.
When BikeWalk BG was founded in 2018, lead coordinator Carissa Lemon envisioned a program where people could come together, participate in fitness-based activities, and receive education on how to safely live a healthy lifestyle. I was considering creating one. To achieve his goals, Lemon relied on a strict set of guidelines that he consistently enforced.
her focus.
“BikeWalk BG has four major pillars. We have the education to teach bicycle and pedestrian safety and techniques,” Lemon said. “We chose to use advocacy to represent our civic community. Outreach was through the use of community events, and the plan was to work with partner agencies to create safe bike and walking trails. It will be used to build more.”
Before BikeWalk BG was founded, there was the Greenways Commission, whose original goal was to plan and build trails throughout Bowling Green. In the mid-2010s, the committee lost sight of its original vision for the community and the coordination of its activities was entirely left to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
The MPO is the organization that develops, regulates, and funds all federal transportation programs in various regions. With support from MPO, BikeWalk BG was established as an initiative to provide outreach and education regarding pedestrian and bicycle transportation.
Funding comes from MPO's Paula Nye Memorial Grant Foundation. These funds are accumulated by people who purchase “Share The Road” license plates for their vehicles in Kentucky. Funds used to purchase these license plates will be directed to grants given to communities that apply to the Fund to Promote Bicycle and Pedestrian Traffic.
Do your best.
BikeWalk BG is staffed by the Bowling Green City-County Planning Commission as well as smaller partners such as Warren County Parks and Recreation. BikeWalk BG hosts a variety of bike events throughout the year to bring the community together.
“This is not cycling for serious riders,” Lemon said. “While we're not looking to break records, we want our community to enjoy the experience together by riding their bikes and exploring Bowling Green. Our events include: People between the ages of 6 and 60 have taken part. We believe these events will change the culture around cycling, encouraging more people to ride and helping them feel more confident while riding. I hope so.”
The organization's most recent event was the St. Patrick's Community Bike Ride on March 16, when cyclists met at White Squirrel Brewery to embark on a 10-mile journey. , were invited to a post-celebration that included food trucks and live music. band.
WKU art professor Jason Harbison, who attended the event, said there was a sense of community during the trip that was impossible to ignore.
“In the short time I have been involved with BikeWalk BG, I have already noticed a strong sense of community,” says Harbison.
Said. “The old adage 'people from all walks of life' and the diverse backgrounds of the people I've met prove that this region is very rich in that respect.”
He also said his companions on the ride were critical to completing the 10 miles.
Journey.
“Getting outside to ride my bike not only helped me physically, but it also helped improve my mental health,” Harbison said. “The camaraderie and the scenery helps a lot.”
Kyle Marklin, a Bowling Green resident and event participant, brought his sons, ages 9 and 6, to enjoy the sport.
Spiderman and mohawk helmet.
“It’s always nice to get a chance to get back on the horse and spin the wheels again,” Marklin said. “10 miles
It's a long ride for little kids, but it's also cool to have a good mix of beginners as well as veteran riders. ”
Organized meetings require a lot of planning and coordination, as BikeWalk BG often partners with local businesses and other partner organizations to increase event exposure and activity.
WKU alumnus Rowan Brown has been working as an intern for BikeWalk BG since May 2023, contributing to the planning of each event in a variety of ways.
“My job is quite varied. I prepare for and participate in events such as community rides, bike rodeos, and booths at large events. I do inventory of greenway trails and , check for maintenance, map trail inspections, and help manage social media,” Brown said.
Said. “Bicycle education programs in schools are a big focus right now. I helped create the curriculum and went to schools to teach.”
When asked about the organization's future, they pointed to their interest in developing Bowling Green.
trail.
“We want the greenway to be a connected network rather than disconnected segments,” Brown said. BikeWalk BG also allows groups to participate in his Adopt-A-Trail program.
“Organizations, nonprofits, fraternities, and sororities can all adopt the trail for free. We have agreements with these organizations to help clean and maintain the trail at least four times a year. '' Lemon said.
WKU CHHS
At WKU, community members have also seen efforts to promote healthy lifestyles in the community. The College of Health and Human Services recently directed this to its students, faculty, and staff.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, CHHS head staff noticed that students tended to struggle when returning to in-person instruction. For this reason, Tania Basta, Dean of CHHS, began developing his two programs that will improve their quality of life from a physical and mental perspective.
Busta and other contributors created the CHHS Student Wellness Experience for students. This was adopted in the form of her one-credit hour class for her first-year class of 2026, where they learned the 10 dimensions of wellness, a model that charts the basic needs of health. To help individuals and communities reach their full potential. This class will be taught by CHHS Student Wellness Navigators Amy Wininger and Marsha Hopper. In addition to teaching students courses, they were also able to meet with students individually to understand their individual issues and refer them to appropriate resources.
After running the Student Wellness Experience for a year, Basta realized that academics weren't the only ones struggling with the transition to traditional schooling.
“In the summer of 2022, we realized that our faculty and staff were struggling just as much, if not more, than our students. We needed to do something to help them take care of themselves as well. So we created the CHHS Faculty Wellness Hour,” Busta wrote in a freelance article for The Academic.
leader. “
Wellness Hour is a daily paid time in addition to lunch that allows all faculty and staff to participate in activities related to one of the 10 dimensions of wellness.
Grace Larty, professor of public health and coordinator of the department, likes spending time with her fellow staff members.
“Sometimes I walk around campus for an hour,” Lartey said. “I also sometimes paint. Getting away from the office is beneficial both for my physical health and for my mind to take a break from work.”
Lartey said the wellness hour not only benefits her, but everyone involved in the job.
“A healthy mind resides in a healthy body,” Lartey said.
“Wellness Hour is a time for staff to take care of their own health. I can’t tell you how much support our staff and faculty give us. Without them, I couldn’t do my job. If they are not healthy enough, my students and I will suffer.”
Since implementing both programs, CHHS has experienced success in student and staff climate and productivity alike. Mr. Busta chimed in that one of the students in the 2022-23 school year had made great progress in just one semester.
“Last spring, a student did not turn in assignments and was being bullied by her roommate. Her professor anonymously referred her to one of our professors. [wellness] Navigator. After meeting with the navigator, the students were moved to another dormitory where they could learn better time management skills,” Busta told the Herald. “She earned all-A grades her last semester, was on her dean’s list, and returned to campus this fall.”
Busta found that among faculty and staff, those who attended wellness hours reported being more likely to experience the following symptoms:
Continue working within the university.
“We're trying to prioritize the right things,” Busta said. “When I am in the Faculty of Health Human Sciences,
At our services, we want everyone to feel welcome, know they belong, and feel like they can take care of themselves. ”
News reporter Larkin Ivory can be reached at: [email protected].