Cycling activities: A catalyst for maintaining campus sustainability

• Main Authors: Harifah Mohd Noor, Marja Azlima Omar, Rosmiza M.Z
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: GV Recreation Leisure; GV557-1198.995 Sports
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/24292/1/Cycling%20activities%20A%20catalyst%20for%20maintaining%20campus%20sustainability.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/24292/; https://doi.org/10.17576/geo-2018-1403-07

Maintaining a sustainable campus is one of the challenges in the life of campus citizens. Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has paved the way to practice the concept of Ecocampus living since the year 2013. The use of bicycles was introduced as the catalyst to promote ‘greening UMS campus’ initiative. However, does bicycle has the potential to become an alternative mode of transportation for those who live on campus? This study sought to identify the various factors that affect the use of an alternative mode of transportation amongst UMS students. Based on stratified random sampling, a total of 300 questionnaires were distributed to students from various residential colleges, faculties in different stages/year of their study. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive methodology and inferences through frequency and average mean score and Chi-Square. The finding showed that most of the female students that lived on campus and in their final year (undergraduate) dominated the use of bicycles on campus. The bicycles were mainly used for leisure activities; only a small percentage of usage was for going to the library. The use of bicycles for going to lectures is still at the minimum level. Health awareness is the primary factor that encourages the use of bicycles on campus, followed by environmental awareness and accessibility. On the other hand, weather conditions, security issues and lack of facilities are identified as the main hindrances for bicycles to become an alternative mode of transportation on campus. An increased effort to improve infrastructure and the initiatives to intensify promotional campaigns would increase the use of bicycles on campus and hence contribute to maintaining UMS as a sustainable campus.