University of Utah rolls into Bicycle Friendly Silver designation

The University of Utah is proud to announce its designation as a Bicycle Friendly University at the Silver level. This decision involved careful review by the League of American Bicyclists, as well as local judges who are familiar with University and its peer institutions. The criteria of the award vary, but are focused on ‘the five E's’ — education, enforcement, engineering, encouragement and evaluation of cycling.

There are increasing portions of University students, faculty and staff utilize bicycles to commute to campus. Commuter Services continues to encourage and develop alternative forms of transportation like cycling. The University is also conveniently situated within a Bicycle Friendly Silver City surrounded by excellent mountain bike and road bikeways that helped contributed to the prestigious designation. The University of Utah’s Bicycle Coordinator, Heidi Goedhart commented about the award, "we are very excited to be granted the Bicycle Friendly University Silver designation. Completing the application and being reviewed was a suggestion in our Bicycle Master Plan. The in-depth application opened our eyes to some shortfalls here at the U, but it was also an opportunity for us to celebrate how far we have come in improving bicycle facilities on campus and how we have worked to embrace our growing cycling community.”

This accomplishment comes from the work of many departments inside the University of Utah as well as external entities. Campus Planning and Facilities Management, students and Professors, University of Utah Police Department, Commuter Services, Salt Lake City, UDOT and UTA and many others have all shown their devotion to enhancing the cycling atmosphere at the University.

Moving forward, the University hopes this award will be a catalyst in furthering its commitment to expanding bicycle facilities and amenities in an effort to encourage ridership. The designation as a Bicycle Friendly University will last four years before the University of Utah must reapply to maintain or improve its status. Moving forward the University has plans to expand bicycle parking areas, offer bicycle valets at more University events, expand its bicycle rental program and further develop bicycle paths and routes, and engage riders with promotions and events. To become involved with cycling efforts or for bicycle related volunteer opportunities on campus contact heidi.goedhart@utah.edu or visit the Universities Bike Facebook page at www.facebook.com/biketotheUofu

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