More students are opting for the luxury of quick transportation, sheltering them from exercise as well as Mother Nature.

CyRide transports 4.5 million passengers a year, said Bob Bourne, director of CyRide.

Students are choosing CyRide instead of walking to class because “they already pay for it in their tuition,” he said.

However, when students chose riding the bus over walking, they may be cutting out benefits for their bodies.

“Walking one mile burns 100 calories no matter what pace,” Deb Atkinson, lecturer in health and human performance.

Missing out on lower to moderate activity can be a contributing factor to obesity, she said.

Atkinson said walking not only burns calories, but walking at a moderate pace benefits the total body.

“Walking a moderate pace can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol level, and you utilize your large muscles in the legs,” Atkinson said.

Laura DePhillips, junior in English education, said she rides CyRide mainly for the convenience.

“Taking the Orange Route is very convenient because it goes by all of my classes,” she said.

DePhillips said she starts by riding the bus from the commuter lot, but walks from class to class.