New ‘Platinum’ BFU Announced!

Washington, D.C. – November 14, 2013 – Like football and basketball, there’s new competition at the top among California colleges. 

Today, the League of American Bicyclists announced the designation of 17 new Bicycle Friendly Universities, including just the second Platinum-level BFU in the country: The University of California-Davis. Now, Stanford isn’t alone at the top of the BFU podium.

Shining on all fronts, the City of Davis became a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community in 2005 and the University also became a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business earlier this year. 

With this latest round of applications and awards, the program has expanded to a total of 75 colleges in 32 states and Washington, D.C.

Click here to see the full list.

(Photo: University of California, Davis)

“As our Bicycle Friendly University program grows, the promise for a more Bicycle Friendly America does, too,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “Colleges and universities propel our leaders of the future, and more and more of those students are choosing bicycles as their transportation option of choice. We commend universities like Bowdoin College; University of California, Davis; and the University of Montana, who are leading the way to a healthier, more sustainable future.”

UC Davis’s Bicycle Education and Enforcement Program is a pioneering effort that provides basic bike safety education to the wider campus community. 

 “We are elated to receive this recognition from the League. It’s been a ‘double Platinum’ year for UC Davis, having first received the League’s top award as a Bicycle Friendly Business in April and now this,” said Cliff Contreras, Director of UC Davis’s Transportation and Parking Services. “We’ve worked hard for decades to encourage sustainable commuting modes to our campus, and this acknowledgement by the League shows that we have been on the right track.”

“I’m proud to be part of the campus-wide team that has earned this recognition through many years of doing our best to promote bicycle commuting,” said David Takemoto-Weerts, UC Davis’s Bicycle Program Coordinator. “With a bike mode share approaching 50 percent, upwards of 20,000 bikes on campus during peak use days, and ever-improving infrastructure and safety programs, we hope to continue to serve as a model for other colleges and universities working to increase the beneficial use of bikes for daily transportation.”

The University of Montana, a new Gold-level BFU, has built an extensive riverfront trail system, providing an engineering model for other campuses.

“The University of Montana, The Associated Students of The University of Montana and the city of Missoula have all worked hard to make safe, inclusive connections for bicyclists and pedestrians — it is truly paying off,” said Nancy Wilson, Director of the Associated Students of the University of Montana’s Office of Transportation. “The automotive traffic around campus has been significantly reduced making this a healthier campus and making Missoula a fun and healthy place to live!”

Bowdoin College (pictured at right), a new Silver-level BFU, is host to a growing bicycle sharing program, encouraging campus community members to get around by bike. 

“Bowdoin is excited to be recognized by the League of American Bicyclists for the work we have done to promote bicycling on campus,” said Keisha Payson, Bowdoin College’s Sustainability Coordinator. “Our compact campus in downtown Brunswick, Maine, encourages both employees and students to commute by bicycle.  Bowdoin’s robust bicycle sharing program, with more than 75 members and growing, and ample bike parking throughout campus, have significantly elevated the bicycling culture here.  We look forward to continuing our focus on bicycle safety and expanding the campus bicycle infrastructure in the coming year.”

 The BFU program provides the roadmap and technical assistance to create great campuses for cycling. To apply or learn more, visit www.bikeleague.org/university.