Bicycle Friendly University

University of Oregon, Eugene| Silver Level

University Highlights: The University of Oregon (UO) is a product of its surroundings, succeeding in bicycle advocacy, programming and education in part because of the support from Eugene, a Gold designated Bicycle Friendly City. Likewise, the community would not have a high bicycle mode share if it were hard to bicycle to campus. The University’s bicycle mode share is 17 percent for students and 14 percent for staff and faculty (2009 numbers). In 2008, UO launched a pilot Bike Loan Program, which now offers long-term bike loans, short-term bike rentals, a free maintenance shop, and educational programming. It is student-funded and continues to receive administrative and student support. In addition, UO spent $300,000 in State of Oregon bond funding in 1990-1993 to create the bulk of its bicycle infrastructure: replace all bike racks with cutting-edge designs, build and sign bike paths and lanes, build covered bike parking, create bike maps, and install lockers. The bonds were repaid entirely by motor vehicle parking revenues. Furthermore, the nationally-acclaimed Sustainable Cities Initiative provides real-world opportunities for cross-disciplinary studies. Student projects have submitted bicycle transportation planning and designs as consultants to cities Salem and Gresham, Oregon. An OU student group, LiveMove, effectively connects academia to the professional world. LiveMove brings prominent speakers to campus, such as Bill Wilkinson, and funds students to attend national conferences, such as the Transportation Research Board and ProWalk/ProBike. Additionally, OU’s growing bicycle curriculum expands students’ understanding of bicycle issues, with course offerings such as Bicycle Transportation Planning, Cycling and Society, and Transportation and Preservation.

Most Compelling Recent Bike Related Accomplishment:
In March 2010, the UO Bike Program was institutionalized and became a permanent part of the student union budget. The University see this investment as even more significant than its bicycle infrastructure because it supports the growth of the bicycle encouragement and education programming on campus which was non-existent before the pilot bike program launched in 2008. This investment and support for sustainable and active transportation programs was a direct response to student demands.

Most Compelling Fact: Two popular designs for bike racks were substantially improved or innovated at UO.