https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj Biking is, among everything, cheap. But in hilly Aarhus is not free of struggles. Public transportation is easier, but out of budget for students, especially those coming from abroad. By Group 2D (Gabriela Beug, Maria Luz Nochez, Diego Sanchez) en-us 2023-09-20 17:05:24 UTC 2023-09-21 13:16:16 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f6b2.png 63jorag2wd https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2713359789 Students, especially those that come from abroad, are conscious of the importance of environment-friendly practices and healthy habits. At the core of this decision, however, is their budget. "I’ll be saving around 180 DKK (€ 24) per month by not taking the bus”, claims Nitesh Khatiwada, a student from Nepal.

]]> 2023-09-20 18:56:59 UTC https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2713359789 63jorag2wd https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714196843 "Taking the bus is painful in Aarhus", described Emily, an exchange student from Germany, as she stood in front of the Student House, one of the most frequented places for scholars. She would prefer to ride a bike every day, but she lives "too far away" to consider it. She estimates that the regular use of public transportation costs her almost 50 euros (372 DKK) a month. On account of the “expensive” fare, most students opt to buy or rent a bike instead.]]> 2023-09-21 06:56:50 UTC https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714196843 63jorag2wd https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714256810 "I'm just telling myself: 'It's okay, it's okay, just be strong, and hold it stronger'", says Shrouk Ghonim, a student from Egypt who has only been using her second-hand bike for three weeks but is already familiarized with the tricky aspects of biking as a foreigner. This includes the ever-changing Danish weather. Still, this is a small price compared to the bus/tram fares. No matter the struggle.
For those choosing to buy instead of renting a bike, Ghonim has a treasured piece of advice: every Tuesday, Reuse offers a free-of-charge check your bike service.

]]> 2023-09-21 07:39:04 UTC https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714256810 63jorag2wd https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714280108 There are still some sunny days in Aarhus' weather forecast but everyone is very much aware that winter is coming. That said, students are confident that their bike investment is going to save them from paying the high fares of having to ride the bus or the tram. "I guess I'll see when the snow comes or when the roads are frozen, maybe I'll have a different opinion. I'm very stubborn, I paid for the bike so I'm going to use it", says Giulia Nevini, a 20-year-old student from Italy. Affordability is key to her stubbornness.

]]> 2023-09-21 07:54:40 UTC https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714280108 63jorag2wd https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714319919 For Danish students, who are more accustomed to the ground and weather conditions, the distance is more important. "I definitely consider cycling as the cheapest option, but if it is more than 4 kilometres I would take the bus," says Kenneth Tai.]]> 2023-09-21 08:24:59 UTC https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714319919 63jorag2wd https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714514902 Every day hundreds of students bike their way to Aarhus University campus, located in Vestre Ringgade between Langelansgade and Randersvej, to attend classes. This scene is one of the most regular sights in Aarhus, which is considered one of the best and safest cities to bike. According to Aarhus Municipality, almost one in four people use their bicycle to move around the city. It has the highest bicycle usage compared in the modal split (meaning  the percentage of travellers using a particular type of transportation) to other cities within the Baltic Sea region. 

]]> 2023-09-21 10:58:15 UTC https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714514902 malunochez https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714533942 Choosing a bike, despite being cheaper, comes with a challenge in hilly Aarhus. The hills make it impossible to arrive without sweating or feeling exhausted. For students living in Aarhus C (south of campus) the heavy part of the journey starts when they're trying to get to campus.]]> 2023-09-21 11:14:15 UTC https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714533942 63jorag2wd https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714536443 The total inclination point is up to 34 metres, according to Google Maps. For those who live in Risskov, the northern area, the challenge is even greater. The total inclination of the longest slope in the city, going from Nordre Ringgade (where the main campus is) to Randersvej (where the ground starts to get flat), is  47 meters high.]]> 2023-09-21 11:16:32 UTC https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714536443 malunochez https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714550575 A single ticket with a two-hour duration is DKK 22 (almost € 3). There are other options, like the multipass (10 tickets for DKK 195; € 26) or the monthly pass (DKK 290; €52). You can always risk it to ride the bus/tram for free (if no one catches you). But that can end up costing a DKK 100 fine (€ 134). 

]]> 2023-09-21 11:29:12 UTC https://padlet.com/malunochez/z1dsz4ywl4x9jydj/wish/2714550575