Five thousand miles on two wheels in his time at UCLA has brought third-year public health student Colin Zhu mental clarity, muscle strength, more energy, quicker trips to class — and less time in the gym, all thanks to biking!
Hailing from South Coast, Massachusetts, now living in the University Apartments on the southwest side of UCLA, Colin shares why he chose this academic specialty and its connection to biking.
“It’s an intersection of biology, chemistry, policy, sociology, epidemiology, anthropology, political science, and English,” said Colin.
“Decreasing the abundance of carbon emissions has become urgent for the planet, and there’s no better form of transportation than biking and its well-documented health benefits. If exercise could be bottled into a pill, it would be the number one prescribed medicine in the country. Its all-reaching preventive care.”
The public health major adds biking has pushed him to make substantial changes that help him live a healthier lifestyle.
Colin has an electrified set of two wheels: a small, light-weight commuter bike with a hidden battery, using a Kryptonite New York Standard Bike U-Lock to keep it safe.
His advice for Bruins interested in a charged-up ride: “Go with a 1000–1500-Watt e-bike to conquer those campus hills — and front suspensions, which are safer, plus wider, thick tires. Larger bikes are a good choice, too. For portability concerns, a foldable one also works.”
“E-bikes with built-in headlights are big for safety. Built-in flashing turn signals and reflectors are also important.”
Colin advises looking at maps and researching your route when you venture off-campus around L.A. and that panniers (a bag or basket, usually one of a pair, that hangs off the side of a bicycle) for the back can carry a lot of stuff.
Outside UCLA, Colin likes riding in Santa Monica, which he says is built for bikers.
“Biking is just a great way to exercise — and more rewarding than an electric scooter!”
