Arkansas State University was renewed as a silver-level Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists, the nation’s premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike.
The first university in the state of Arkansas to earn Bicycle Friendly status back in 2014, the renewal extends to 12 years A-State’s national recognition for the institution’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus. According to the League, just 211 universities across the United States hold BFU certification, and Arkansas State is among only 67 with Silver status.
“I am pleased to celebrate 37 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Universities joining the movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “Bicycle Friendly Universities, like Arkansas State, offer a far more holistic experience of campus life for students, faculty and staff by implementing policies, programs and infrastructure improvements that make for safer and easier car-free commutes, healthier lives through increased physical activity and a campus community more connected to its surroundings.”
“It’s great to see A-State’s commitment to creating a welcoming space for all who walk, ride or roll recognized by the oldest program in America for bicycle advocacy,” Chancellor Todd Shields said. “It is important to our on-campus community to have trails that are safe, and we are proud to serve as an example to our Northeast Arkansas community. We want everyone in Jonesboro and the surrounding towns to know they can come to campus to run or ride.”
From its first award in 2014 as a bronze level university, A-State upgraded at its first renewal in 2018 to silver status, and has now earned its second renewal in 2022 until 2026 also at silver.
The hallmark of the A-State program is the Pedestrian and Cyclists (PAC) Paths system on campus. Demonstrating every type of active transportation accommodation from sharrows to separated cyclepaths, the PAC Paths include more than 10 miles of trail designations on the campus.
“Maintaining our status with the League is thanks to the on-going work of our university bicycle committee and our partnerships with state organizations such as the Arkansas Department of Transportation,” Shields added. “We’ve had a great partner in ArDOT in building some of the top bicycle facilities in the entire state. The recent Phase II trail along University Loop is a great example of the best design and implementation anywhere.”
The Bicycle Friendly University program now includes 221 colleges and universities in 47 states and the District of Columbia, and is part of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program, which also awards communities and businesses with certifications as part of its mission to make bicycling safe, comfortable and more accessible for all.
“This round of Bicycle Friendly Universities demonstrates an inspiring shift in focus from driving to biking and walking on campus,” said Amelia Neptune, the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program director. “What’s clear is that making bicycling a go-to transportation option is part of the solution many colleges and universities are using to better the campus life of their communities and we are grateful to have so many partners in our effort to keep the bike boom rolling.”
To apply or learn more about the free BFU program, visit the League online at www.bikeleague.org/university.
Original source can be found here.
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