UW Takes home the gold

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UPDATE 10/24/2014: Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists will visit the University of Washington Thursday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. in Architecture Hall Auditorium to kick off the annual November “Ride in the Rain” bike commute challenge. Clarke will present the Gold award to UW Associate Vice President for Facilities Services Charles Kennedy and talk on how universities are catalysts for the creation of bicycle-friendly communities. Following the talk, SDOT Director Scott Kubly, Cascade Bicycle Club Executive Director Elizabeth Kiker, Pronto Cycle Share Executive Director Holly Houser and UW Faculty member and Green Futures Lab Director Nancy Rottle will join Clarke for a panel discussion on current progress and the path forward for bicycling at the UW and around the region.

UW Takes home the gold

Originally posted Oct. 22, 2014

Today, the University of Washington was awarded a Gold Bike Friendly University (BFU) by the League of American Bicyclists. UW joins 100 other universities and colleges across the country recognized by the League. UW was first recognized in 2011 as a Silver BFU. 

With the announcement of 33 new and renewing BFUs today in 20 states, UW joins an innovative cohort of colleges and universities from across the country transforming their campuses and the communities around them. There are now 100 BFUs in 37 states and Washington, D.C.

UW is one of only 12 institutions recognized as Gold or Platinum. 

"This is a great moment for Seattle and we are excited to be an active contributor to this rising tide." -Josh Kavanagh, UW director of transportation

With an extensive bike network and facilities to repair bikes on campus; quarterly education classes; and large encouragement events like Ride in the Rain, UW makes it easy, convenient and comfortable to be on a bicycle.

The League's national Bike Friendly America Program also recognizes businesses, communities (Seattle is Gold) and states (Washington is ranked first place)

“Campus leaders are recognizing the real-time and long term impact that a culture of bicycling can create... we applaud this new round of colleges and universities for investing in a more sustainable future for the country and a healthier future for their staff, students and surrounding communities.” says Andy Clarke, League of American Bicyclists president in a press release. 

Kavanagh attributes the Gold award to strong partnerships and "the commitment the university has made, by incorporating cycling into our campus plans."  

In their application, UW states that the application process reemphasized the need to move forward on many initiatives, including: "a specific vision for bicycling in the upcoming campus master plan update, a campus-wide network of secure bicycle cages, a bait bike program, an online bicycle education program, a map of on-campus bicycle routes and a signage/wayfinding system."

Congratulations, University of Washington! We look forward to continuing to support you as you reach for Platinum. 

For more information on bicycling to campus, check out UW's Transportation Services. Learn more about the League's Bike Friendly America program. 

 

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