I first traded my bike for walking by accident, but amid a familiar Stanford of “move fast break things,” physics psets and mid-college crises, I discovered a new world: one where students deliberately take the time to slow down their days, enjoy themselves and build community. 

Upon returning from a quarter abroad, when I realized my bike had in fact been stolen, I approached the first day of winter quarter with a new mindset of journeying on foot. To my pleasant surprise, my days of walking have turned into a new lifestyle that has lasted up until now as an almost graduate. In many ways, the journey of walking to my daily obligations has become an event of gratitude in itself. And I’m not the only one. Last year, I interviewed some fellow “full-time” walkers of the Stanford community. While almost all seem to have entered this world as a result of some type of biking challenge, they have since made the deliberate choice to make foot their sole mode of travel. Introducing …

Chloe: “The Bumper”

Chloe’s walking journey is an excuse to listen to any and all music. “It’s my grounding exercise before any activity,” she says. In her busy life, she yearns for time to just be with music, a time that seems to only be found in the passage between activities. When leaving the library, Chloe listens to jazz, in the morning she listens to house and in a riled up mood you’ll find her listening to rap. Upon further inspection, you’ll find that Chloe, known for her involvement as head of FashionX at Stanford is actually also an avid piano player, taking time to incorporate music and movement into all parts of her life. 

Parthav: “The Booster”

“I always say it gives me a plus 5% boost to my day wherever I’m going,” says Parthav.

During his quarter abroad in Berlin, Parthav found walking the best way to explore the city. Coming back to campus, he not only was met with a broken bike, but a new way to approach campus through walking. Although he admits, some of his friends make fun of him, he generally feels as if he is in a better mood than he was as a biker. 

“My days feel more eventful. I actually bump into people.”

Maya: “The Smiler”

With people or alone, you will always find Maya on campus with a smile. Her walk matches the style of her DV8, Stanford hip hop group, choreography — sassy and with style. You’ll hear her shouting across campus to friends and see her no doubt sporting a new fit. 

Chloe, Parthav and Mayas’ reflections are not without a scientific basis. Dr. Tia Rich emphasizes many of these learnings in her undergraduate course “Contemplative Movement and Mindful Physical Activity.” “Walking is a full body way to practice mindfulness and awareness,” Rich said. “Research shows that movement, especially outside, is critical for stress management, which I often emphasize for Stanford students.” The rest of our walkers, too, reflect this sentiment. 

Josh: “The Learner” 

When I ran into Josh on the way to Main Quad, he was listening, as usual, to an audio book. He embodied the type of a mysterious student – eyes wandering, sweater vest and slow pace. Living in Mirrielees means his walks are especially long, but Josh finds many productive ways to use his walking time. Sometimes, he calls his grandpa, other times he listens to books or podcasts to help him guide his thesis on energy conflict in the Middle East. 

Now as an almost spring senior, though many of our physical houses and walking paths have changed, I value my walking time more than ever. It’s these in between times filled with laughs, hello and spontaneous run-ins that remind me that perhaps my favorite Stanford memories are not the momentous but actually the mundane. 

“Vitamin C” Catherine

 Like a ray of sunshine, Catherine can be found anywhere from the Pi Phi courtyard to the math building. By school year, she may be a mathematical and computational science major, but by summer, she is an avid hiker, adventurer and camp counselor for Stanford Sierra camp. Her walking journeys are her little moments of nature in her MCS year lifestyle. Her attitude mirrors the environment around her. You’ll find her bumping to EDM (electronic dance music) artist Sammy Virji while strolling back from a Wilbur dinner or perhaps on a run with resident bestie Tobey Solomon, reminiscing of days of space and nature in their otherwise busy lives on campus.

Danny: the “Pauser”

As a former Stanford football player, Danny knows a thing or two about movement, but his choice of walking was originally one of necessity when he couldn’t afford a new bike. 

Although Danny sometimes listens to music, he often opts instead to, as he calls it, “do nothing and stare into space.” Rich says this actually may be the most useful way of using walking time.

He moves deliberately slowly, going at his own pace. 

Danny loves that he’s “racked up steps” and is actually more on time for things than he was a biker, but is most grateful for a chance to clear his mind. 

Concluding thoughts

Maybe this article has convinced you to start walking across campus. Maybe it derailed you. Either way, getting to know the community of walkers on campus has allowed me to see a new mindset about the Stanford experience: one rooted in community, depth in learning and connection, and the capacity to slow down and enjoy the experience. 

Losing your bike may be a blessing in disguise.