As summer rolls around, NIU students are choosing to walk to and from classes instead of catching rides on Huskie Line buses.

Charles Battista, general manager of the Huskie Bus Line, said he has witnessed the change in students’ motivation.

“The decrease in ridership is moderate during the warmer months, because it’s more pleasant to be outside,” Battista said.

Students who normally find themselves in the confines of a crowded bus during the winter months generally decide to walk once the weather has changed, he said.

Angela Young, a Huskie Bus Line driver, agrees there is a decline in ridership during warmer months.

“It’s nicer and the students want to get in the sun,” Young said.

“Students normally ride when it’s cold outside and they do not want to be in the cold,” she said.

Students who hoof their way to buildings are not just getting the benefit of enjoying the warmer weather but are actually walking their way to a healthier body.

Christie Ehrhardt, a visual communication major, said she believes punctuality is the biggest benefit of walking to class.

“You know you will get to class on time if you walk,” Ehrhardt said. “Generally you have to wait for the bus, but when you walk to class it takes less time.”

Brendan Delahanty, a sculpture major, said he also finds benefits in walking.

“It’s a little bit of exercise, and you run into less traffic congestion,” he said.

Dr. Paul Carpenter, chair of the kinesiology and physical education department, said there are health benefits to walking to class.

“Any exercise is better than no exercise,” Carpenter said. “Benefits are more likely to be seen if students walk to their classes vigorously and consistently.”

Those benefits, however, come with dedication.

“Students experience the fitness benefits of walking if they do it on a constant basis and not just occasionally when they do not feel like taking a bus,” Carpenter said.

If a student regularly walks to class, they will reap physical benefits.

“Walking is a good form of aerobic and cardiovascular exercise and helps improve muscle tone, weight management and the alleviation of stress levels,” Carpenter said.

Those attributes can help students deal with many kinds of stress.

“Think about final exams week,” Carpenter said. “Walking during that time can help relieve a lot of stress about those tests.”