League of American Bicyclists names UNL a 'Bicycle Friendly University'

A campus effort started two years ago has led the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to be named a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists.

 

The honor -- a silver award -- was announced April 16. Only 58 universities in 30 states have earned a Bike Friendly University award. The Big Ten leads the nation with eight bike-friendly members; of the eight Big Ten institutions honored, three are at the silver level with the other five earning bronze.

 

"We are ecstatic that we have received this award, but at the same time we don't want it to be an end to the work that we’ve started," said Jordan Messerer, an assistant director in Campus Recreation who has helped lead the Bike Friendly UNL program. "There is still a lot to do that could put us over the top and closer to earning gold or even platinum honors."

 

The Bicycle Friendly University program is designed to help universities make riding safer and more comfortable for students, faculty, staff and visitors. The awards recognize efforts to improve bicycling conditions through promotion, education, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.

 

There are five levels of awards -- diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Stanford University is the highest rated institution, earning the platinum award. Two universities are gold designees.

 

Messerer said UNL earned the silver award largely through campus education efforts and reorganizing bicycle-related policies at a central website, http://bike.unl.edu.

 

"When I came to UNL three years ago, information about biking-related policies was spread out on all sorts of websites," Messerer said. "By creating bike.unl.edu, we were able to create a clearinghouse for UNL biking information."

 

UNL also worked with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to earn a grant that allowed Messerer and three others to become certified bike instructors. Those four organize and teach Campus Recreation's bicycle traffic safety courses to students, faculty and staff. Messerer said support from campus administrators was also a key component in earning the silver designation.

 

"The Bicycle Transportation Committee has worked diligently to evaluate, assess and execute a number of initiatives to support the university's goal of becoming a Bicycle Friendly University," UNL spokesman Steve Smith said. "Bicycling is on the rise at UNL, and is increasingly seen as a healthy, sustainable method of getting to, from and around campus. We are pleased that UNL's new designation will bring renewed attention to the university's as well as the city of Lincoln's progress in this important area."

 

Looking ahead, the Bike UNL committee plans to expand campus education efforts as it begins to pursue a gold award.

 

"In terms of cycling and pedestrian movement on campus, we have a great road map being developed in the new master plan," Messerer said. "It's a great time to start looking at the routes we have on campus and how we can improve them for everyone."

 

Writer: Troy Fedderson, University Communications, 402-472-8515