Western Washington University Named a Silver Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists

Western recognized for improvements to bicycling infrastructure and programming on campus.

The League of American Bicyclists, the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike, has honored Western Washington University with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of Western’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus.

“I am pleased to celebrate 33 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Universities joining the movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “On many campuses, bikes are simply another way to get around but at Bicycle Friendly Universities, like Western, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to think beyond the utility of bikes as transportation, truly valuing their ability to foster a healthier, more connected campus life.

Even in the midst of a pandemic that left many no choice but to transition online, these universities are not only making it safer and easier for people to get around their campus by bike but finding ways to keep campus bike culture alive and well.” 

The Bicycle Friendly University program now includes 222 colleges and universities in 47 states and the District of Columbia, and it is 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.   

“The applications from colleges and universities in 2021 demonstrate the myriad challenges educational institutions are overcoming in order to serve the needs of their students and employees,” said the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program director, Amelia Neptune. “What’s clear is that bicycling is part of the solution many colleges and universities are using to better the campus life of their communities and we are grateful to have so many partners in our effort to keep the bike boom rolling! 

When Western’s President Randhawa learned of the award, he said, “Western is proud to be a silver-level Bicycle Friendly University, and to be living our commitments to sustainability, access, and individual health and wellness in this way. We are also excited that the improvements we have made to bicycling since the last time we applied for this recognition have moved us from an honorable mention to the silver level.” 

Being bicycle friendly has made it possible for more students, faculty, and staff to ride a bicycle to and from campus. Western encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities such as ample bicycle parking, showers and lockers, an emergency ride home program, and wide paths for bicycles. 
 
As Western continues to improve its campus accessibility by bike, it will have access to a variety of free tools, a library of resources, and technical assistance from the League to become even more welcoming to people who bike. When colleges and universities invest in the comfort and safety of people bicycling, great things happen such as, a decreased carbon footprint, reduced health care costs, increased student and employee productivity, and a fun and healthy campus culture.

For 142 years, the League of American Bicyclists has been leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. Its commitment is to listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change. Learn more at bikeleague.org.