Bicycle Friendly University

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor| Bronze Level

Highlights: Since its creation in 2002, the University of Michigan (U-M) has actively served on the City of Ann Arbor's Alternative Transportation Committee. Because City roads and the U-M campus are intertwined, all bike planning needs to be a cooperative effort to promote network connectivity, consistent messaging and design features. The intent of the ALT. Committee is to better coordinate non-motorized transportation efforts across City units and community stakeholders. Committee members include City staff, the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, the AATA getDowntown Program, the Downtown Development Authority, Walking and Bike Coalition of Washtenaw County, Clean Energy Coalition, and other community partners. This committee helps coordinate the actions of the various partners and serves as the incubator for many of the creative alternative transportation strategies implemented in the City and at U-M. Bicycling and bike-related planning is a major focus of this group.

Most Significant Recent Accomplishment: U-M has focused on expanding the campus bike network, including laneage and sharrow additions on roads within University control and contributing to the planning, design and financing of several additions to City roadways. Examples include the Palmer bikeway and bike lanes along Ann Street and North University. The Thompson Street Parking Structure Addition, constructed in 2010, includes an enclosed/secure bicycle parking facility with 50 spaces and an air compressor onsite. In addition to this facility, in recent years U-M has provided new and expanded parking areas on campus, including: Central Campus Transit Center (featuring extensive bike parking and bike travel lanes) and the North Quad Residential and Academic Complex (Central Campus) featuring covered parking.

Most Compelling Fact: The School of Kinesiology's Center for Motor Behavior in Pediatric Disabilities (CMBPD) offers two annual Bike Camps in both West and SE Michigan. The camps are geared towards children with special needs and over 80 kids attend annually. The purpose of the camps is to provide kids, who might otherwise not have the opportunity, the chance to learn how to ride a bicycle.