USD Makes the Grade as a “Bicycle Friendly” Campus

The University of San Diego now has more than 440 bike parking spaces on campus that are compatible with sturdy metal U-locks which are more secure than cable locks. There are also a bike repair stand and an air pump outside USD’s Outdoor Adventures office available to the USD community. And faculty, staff and students who bike to the campus can use shower facilities and lockers at no charge.

These are just a few of the reasons that USD was named a “Bicycle Friendly University” today by the League of American Bicyclists.

“Being designated ‘Bicycle Friendly’ is a great recognition of our efforts to create a green, sustainable campus,” said Michael Catanzaro, Director of USD’s Office of Sustainability. “The campus benefits in so many ways from having more bikes on campus,” he added. “It improves the quality of life for members of our campus, reduces congestion and the need for parking, and supports our efforts to reduce pollution and address climate change.”

Most recently, USD completed the replacement of older bike racks around campus, installing the more secure, U-Lock friendly bike racks for a total of 444 spaces. “Hopefully we’ve encouraged even more members of our campus community to help reduce our carbon footprint,” Catanzaro said. As an extra incentive, the Sustainability Office has been tying “love bike notes” onto bikes around campus to thank students and employees for biking to campus.

With the latest announcement, the League of American Bicyclists has now designated 75 “Bike Friendly” campuses in 32 states and Washington, D.C. The award recognizes an institution’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. “We commend universities like USD who are leading the way to a healthier, more sustainable future,” said Andy Clarke, President of the league.

USD was given the bronze designation for its efforts. The league’s program provides a roadmap to building a Bicycle Friendly university and the application has become a rigorous and educational tool. The four levels of the award – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for universities to continuously improve.

“This is just a first step. We intend to do much more but this a great recognition of our efforts,” Catanzaro said. USD hopes to improve bike safety, education and infrastructure in the future.

For more information about the League of American Bicyclists go to www.bikeleague.org.

About the University of San Diego

The University of San Diego sets the standard for an engaged, contemporary Catholic university where innovative Changemakers confront humanity’s urgent challenges. With more than 9,000 students from 69 countries and 50 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. The university's eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. USD's Envisioning 2024 strategic plan capitalizes on the university’s recent progress and aligns new strategic goals with current strengths to help shape a vision for the future as the university looks ahead to its 75th anniversary in the year 2024.