The Campus Bicycle Committee is preparing what some consider its signature project, an application to the League of American Bicyclists to have the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno be considered a .
A Bicycle Friendly University is deemed by the League to be a campus that promotes safe accommodations for bicycling as well as encourages people to bike for transportation and recreation.
"This would be the only university in our state to be considered bicycle-friendly and, if accepted, would be a great feat," Jean-Paul Torres of the Campus Bicycle Committee said.
The committee believes that the University stands a good chance of being recognized, if not at least honorably mentioned as a bicycle-friendly campus due to their grassroots efforts and implementation of the University's within their application.
University President Marc Johnson and Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Carman state in an opening letter of the Campus Master Plan: "As our student body grows and our research capacity expands, we will add significant numbers of academic faculty as well as administrative faculty and technical staff. Our growing student body compels us to expand student housing and provide facilities that enhance academic success and promote healthy lifestyles."
The University's recently adopted Campus Master Plan includes a chapter on "multi-modal circulation" that includes ways the campus is addressing circulation concerns within a growing population. Part of this consists of pursuing ways to actively decrease single-occupant automobile trips to campus and offer more options for traveling around the University; both addressed by the promotion of safe, healthy and enjoyable bicycle use.
"Marcelo Vazquez, associate dean of students at the University, agrees that getting this designation would help ÁùºÏ±¦µä be recognized as a great campus for cycling, and add to one of the many amenities that ÁùºÏ±¦µä has to offer to prospective students," Torres said.
The Campus Bicycle Committee will submit the application this summer.
