Auburn University honored as bicycle-friendly campus

The League of American Bicyclists has honored Auburn University with a third consecutive Silver Bicycle Friendly University Award for promoting and enabling safe, accessible cycling on campus.

Through the thoughtful design of its infrastructure, Auburn has made meeting bicyclists’ needs a top priority, making it easier and safer to get around campus by bicycle. Auburn’s silver designation recognizes cooperation between the university and outside groups, including local businesses and city officials in the Auburn and Opelika communities. Approximately 5% of all Auburn faculty, staff and students commute by bike, and they cite convenience, cost-effectiveness, environmental benefits and improved physical and mental health as the top reasons they chose to cycle.

“I find that I can go faster than cars on the street if traffic is slow,” said Erica Maul, a graduate student studying biological sciences. “I also like knowing that no matter how busy my day is, I will be getting in some movement. It feels good to be more active, and biking helps with my energy.”

One project that has had a major impact on cycling is the development of the Parkerson Mill Creek Greenway, which allows cyclists to travel from Beard-Eves-Memorial Coliseum to Campus Recreation’s Intramural Fields and Sportsplex. The recent renovation of the intersection at Biggio Drive and Samford Avenue has made accessing the greenway much safer for cyclists, and the next phase of development will extend the greenway to the Edward Via College of Medicine.

Other bike-friendly improvements include plenty of bike racks installed at new buildings and four bicycle repair stations spread across campus. Students can rent bikes from Auburn Outdoors by the day or week and can explore campus and beyond with others during “Cycle Through Sustainability”  and “Tour de Coffee” events.

Many of the improvements have been spearheaded by the Auburn Cycling Advisory Committee, a group with representatives from areas that include Facilities, Transportation Services, Campus Recreation, the Office of Sustainability and Campus Safety, who work together works to brainstorm solutions and priorities that make campus safer for cyclists. They work collaboratively with campus units to implement new policies and programs, and each September, they promote biking on campus with events and prizes for students who log their miles. Since 2017, more than 10,000 bikes have been registered on campus through Parking Services.

“It’s gratifying that the university is making these efforts and enhancing the quality of life for the campus community,” said Mike Kensler, director of Auburn’s Office of Sustainability. “To get recognition is really nice, and it spurs us on for further progress.”

Jennifer Morse, the Office of Sustainability’s outreach and communications manager, says that recent improvements mean she now prefers taking her bike to work instead of her car.

“When I bike to work, I get there faster than I do when I drive,” she said. “Between traffic, parking and walking, it just takes longer to drive. Riding my bike means I can pull right up next to my building, and I also feel energized.”