Pitt Achieves Silver Bike Friendly University Status
The University of Pittsburgh has been honored by The League of American Bicyclists with a Silver Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) award!
The League of American Bicyclists has honored the University of Pittsburgh with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) award in recognition of the institution’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus. Pitt is very proud to move up one level from its 2018 Bronze designation. Achieving Silver Bike Friendly University status helps the University achieve an interim goal of the Pitt Sustainability Plan of achieving Silver Bike Friendly University status by 2020 and Gold by 2025. (Submission for the Silver designation was delayed due to the Covid-19 global pandemic and holds a 2021 certification year.)
Pitt is part of the 2021 class of 33 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Universities nationwide. The Bicycle Friendly University program now includes 222 colleges and universities in 47 states and the District of Columbia that are transforming the American landscape by providing more bicycle friendly campuses for the benefit of students, employees, and community members. BFU’s are part of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program, which also awards communities and businesses with certifications as part of its mission to make bicycling safe, comfortable and more accessible for all.
Investing in bicycling also supports the University’s journey to carbon neutrality by 2037 by providing student and employee commuters safe and healthy biking amenities and culture that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation emissions. It also creates an active work and learning environment, a more connected campus, and a healthy campus culture. The Silver BFU designation comes on the heels of Pitt’s honor as BikePGH’s 2021 Organization of the Year,
Some 2019-21 Pitt biking highlights include:
- Bigelow Boulevard transformation between Fifth Ave. and Forbes Ave. to create a “complete street” with separated bike lanes, an elevated mid-block pedestrian crosswalk, and stormwater retention infrastructure.
- A successful 3-year partnership with Healthy Ride at Pitt , which allows all students, faculty, and staff to use Pittsburgh’s bike share program for free unlimited 30-minute rides. Our student-created dashboard visualizes the Pitt community’s utilization of the benefit, including over 25,000 rides in 2021.
- The biggest Pittsburgh Bike to Campus Week yet in Fall 2021, with virtual and in-person activities including appearances from Chancellor Gallagher and Provost Cudd on bikes.
- Pitt’s first electric cargo bike provides a sustainable, active, and low-emissions fleet alternative to motor vehicles for University operations.
- Hosting Pitt’s first League Cycling Instructor Seminar in July 2021 to certify 4 Pitt staff and several members of Pittsburgh’s biking community, as League Cycling Instructors.
- Additional bike parking infrastructure, including a new covered outdoor double-decker rack (Posvar’s west side), Bike Pitt racks (outside Hillman Library), and newly branded bike lockers across campus.