The University of Vermont was named a gold-level Bicycle Friendly University last month by The League of American Bicyclists in recognition of UVM’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus.

“This is the second time UVM has been designated as a gold-level university,” said Abby Bleything, sustainable transportation program manager at UVM. “Of the 221 schools evaluated, we were one of only 31 universities that achieved a gold rating.”

Bleything pointed to several initiatives in recent years that keeps UVM in the front of the pack:

• A Departmental E-Bike Lending Program distributed electric bikes to five UVM departments that were seeking cheaper, healthier ways to travel to remote areas of campus, make pickups and deliveries, or perform service calls. The program dovetails with a broader UVM transportation plan to introduce new alternative fuel vehicles to the campus fleet.
• UVM Bikes!, a student-led bicycle education co-op, moved its operation to more spacious quarters in Booth House on Williams Street. Students host bike safety events and offer a fleet of rental bikes leased out to students, faculty and staff for $25 per semester. Primarily an educational organization, student volunteers teach bike owners how to repair their own rides.
• The Office of Transportation produced a new "Into the Outdoors" Bike Guide for “the bike-curious, bike-adventurous, bike-nervous and bike-savvy.” The guide includes maps, riding routes, and insights into the best outdoor areas around Burlington and the city’s surroundings.

To combat bike theft, a problem plaguing campuses everywhere, UVM partners with Local Motion, a Vermont organization promoting bike safety, to offer “Lock n’ Learn” workshops. Students pick up tips on bike security and receive free U-Locks.

The League of American bicyclists is the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike.

“Bicycle Friendly Universities, like UVM, 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 and a campus community more connected to its surroundings,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists.

The UVM campus community can look forward to several upcoming events including a Winter Bike Safety Workshop in January and Winter Bike to Work Day in February.

Faculty, staff and students are also encouraged to take a bikeshare survey  administered by the Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association (CATMA) and Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC).