Bicycle Friendly Business

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District | Silver Level

Business Highlights: The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) has sponsored workshops bringing in nationally-recognized bicycle and pedestrian experts to raise awareness of bicycling in the community.  MTD partners with and vigorously supports local “Walk and Bike to School” activities and is the sponsoring organization for the local Safe Routes to School Program.  MTD generously supports the local bicycling community and advocacy groups, and coordinates with the communities it serves to improve and develop infrastructure to support active transportation modes. MTD ‘s buses all have bicycle racks, the administrative facility has showers and lockers, and all facilities have bicycle parking available. Bus operators and other employees are instructed about rules of the road related to bicycles, the MTD website includes bicycling information in its “Going Green” section, and MTD sponsored workshops and educational sessions are open to all MTD employees and the public.

Most Compelling Bicycle Related Accomplishment: In summer 2009, bicycle parking facilities were more than doubled at the MTD’s intermodal center, Illinois Terminal. Illinois Terminal is MTD’s primary intra-city bus service hub with Amtrak service as well. The increase in bike parking and provision of long-term bicycle lockers make it easy for cyclists to access intra- and inter-city transportation.

Benefits of Being a Bicycle Friendly Business: The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District has been an active advocate and supporter of bicycling as a travel mode for many years. As a major sponsor and supporter of community-wide efforts to plan for, educate and raise awareness of bicycle and pedestrian issues, MTD has been instrumental in encouraging development of bicycle plans, bicycle lanes and facilities, increasing safety awareness, advocating for sharing the road, and improving pedestrian infrastructure connecting to transit in the communities served. The MTD role in these activities has given its employees a sense of purpose and pride, and the MTD is seen by many as a role model in the transit industry for facilitating mode shift. The MTD encourages bicycling as part of the MTD’s long-term fitness program where employees can work toward prizes and awards for reaching certain fitness goals.