Sustainability, health and wellness, keeping communities connected and space on campus are all issues that get the attention of college leaders as they plan for the future. And they can all be connected in a roundabout way through one simple, fun vehicle that can breathe surprising life into campuses: the bicycle.
The League of American Bicyclists recently designated 33 new institutions as Bicycle Friendly Universities, and many of them are on the list not because they have expansive bike trails or paths. Some urban universities achieved the status because they have found ways to expand the use of two-wheelers and make room for riding over parking.
There are more than 220 institutions that have been given Bike-Friendly designations by the League on various levels—from honorable mention to platinum—and another 300 that applied but did not make the cut.
The University of Illinois Springfield received a Bronze designation.
This story appeared online on University Business on March 17, 2022.