UH Mānoa among twenty universities honored for their support of bicyclists

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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Posted: Mar 10, 2011


The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is cited for Honorable Mention in a new national ranking of "Bicycle Friendly" university campuses. The first-ever Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) designations were announced this week at the National Bike Summit. Among the 32 universities that applied, 20 are receiving designations, with Stanford University earning the only platinum-level award. The program recognizes colleges and universities that create exceptional environments where bicycling can thrive and provides a roadmap and technical assistance to create great campuses for bicycling.

 

“Universities have long served as incubators for developing bike-friendly cultures and practices, and that has a big impact on the expectations that students bring to the workplace and beyond,” said Bill Nesper, director of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America Program. “With the launch of the Bicycle Friendly Universities program, we’re able to highlight the crucial role that academic institutions play in shaping a more bike-friendly future.”

 

This first class of BFUs shows the wide variety of ways to promoting bicycling on campus. Efforts to welcome and support bicycling can be as simple as offering secure bike parking or organized rides to get folks together on bikes. Businesses across the country are seeing that there is a good return on investment in promoting bicycling in the workplace including improved morale and health, reduced parking costs and promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle to customers and employees.

 

Also, 55 new Bicycle Friendly Businesses from restaurants to law firms will be receiving awards at this year’s summit.

 

Promoting bicycling is a simple solution to many challenges we face as a nation - improving sustainability, physical activity and quality of life. The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program has helped communities, businesses, states and now universities improve conditions for bicycling, creating the types of places where people want to live, work and visit.

 

Applying for BFU and BFB recognition is easy and free. Applicants receive technical assistance from the League staff as well as tools to evaluate and assess their bicycle friendliness through the application process. The applications and resources are available online at www.bikeleague.org

 

The Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs are generously supported by program partners Bikes Belong and Trek Bicycle’s One World, Two Wheels Campaign.

 

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.