The League of American Bicyclists has announced its Spring 2013 Bicycle Friendly Universities, and once again, no Kansas college has made the grade.
So The University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University, and so on … keep trying (or start trying, if you haven’t already)!
Although Kansas was shut out, other universities in the region were, or have been, honored:
— Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO — Silver
— University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE — Silver
— University of Denver, Denver, CO — Bronze
The League had this to say about UNL’s designation:
In the Midwest, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was awarded with a Silver, as well. The campus’s new Outdoor Adventure Center is just one of the reasons the Lincoln, Neb., university received the award. It provides bicycle repair opportunities, access to 24-hour end-of-commute shower facilities and bike locker storage. The University is also working on a new master plan, which will include multi-modal transportation priorities and projections for new bike infrastructure.
“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,” says Steve Smith, University of Nebraska-Lincoln spokesman. “Bicycling is on the rise at UNL, and is increasingly seen as a healthy, supportable method of getting to, from and around campus. We’re 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.”
There are currently 58 colleges in 30 states that have been designated as “Bicycle Friendly” by the League.
Making a university more bicycle friendly is not just about earning an award, it’s about making the college safer for everyone, and making it more affordable for students (and faculty and staff). Having more people biking and walking on campus makes for a better education environment, which should be the bottom line for any institution of higher learning.
Come on, Kansas (and Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Oklahoma) … get with the program!
See also: Bicycle Friendly Kansas for a summary of bicycle-friendly communities and businesses in the state.
Post tags: Bicycle Friendly
