October 26, 2012 – The University of Utah is being recognized as a “Silver” Bicycle Friendly University. The decision involved careful review by the League of American Bicyclists and local judges who are familiar with the university and its peer institutions. The criteria for the award focuses on ‘the five E’s’ – education, enforcement, engineering, encouragement and evaluation of cycling.

University of Utah Commuter Services continues to encourage and develop alternative forms of transportation, including bicycles. Along with the utilization of the U-Pass system for free use of mass transit, bicycles are increasingly popular among the university community.

Bicycle Coordinator Heidi Goedhart attributes the award to extensive planning. “We are very excited about this designation. Completing the application and being reviewed was a suggestion in our Bicycle Master Plan,” says Goedhart. “The in-depth application process opened our eyes to some shortfalls here at the U, but it was also an opportunity for us to celebrate how far we have come in improving bicycle facilities on campus.”

Moving forward, Goedhart and others working to increase bicycle ridership at the University of Utah hope this award will be a catalyst for furthering a commitment to expanding bicycle facilities and amenities in an overall effort to encourage ridership.

The designation will last four years before the university must reapply to maintain or improve its status. The university already has plans to expand bicycle parking areas, to offer bicycle valets at more university events, to expand its bicycle rental program and to develop more bicycle paths and routes.

To become involved with cycling efforts on campus contact heidi.goedhart@utah.edu or visit the University of Utah’s Bike Facebook page: facebook.com/biketotheUofU.