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The League of American Bicyclists has honored the University of Tampa with a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of the institution’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus.

The League of American Bicyclists is the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike.

In its application, UTampa focused on initiatives to make alternative transportation more accessible, including the BikeUT program, recent educational programming, partnerships with the city of Tampa and local bike shops, and improved bicycle-friendly infrastructure on campus.

“When universities make biking easier, safer, and more accessible, they’re not just helping students get from point A to point B — they’re leading the charge in creating a more sustainable future,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “By prioritizing better biking, bicycle-friendly universities like the University of Tampa are empowering students and staff to make choices that benefit their health, their environment and their communities.”

The Bicycle Friendly University program now includes 210 colleges and universities in 44 states and the District of Columbia and is part of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program, which also awards communities and businesses

with certifications as part of its mission to make bicycling safe, comfortable and more accessible.

Katie Godwin, UTampa emergency operations coordinator and chair of the UTampa Bicycle Friendly Task Force, noted that this is the first time the institution has received a League award and that it was the result of planning by many areas of campus, including Campus Recreation, Campus Safety, Facilities Management and Student Affairs.

“UTampa is fortunate to be in downtown Tampa, where students, faculty and staff can use bicycles to safely and quickly commute from home, run errands or recreate,” Godwin said. “Plus, the city of Tampa has been very forward-thinking in building bicycle infrastructure in the areas around campus. The UTampa community can bike to Ybor City, Hyde Park, Midtown or Davis Islands without leaving a bike lane.”

In the Grand Center, UTampa’s new multipurpose building, there is an indoor bike storage area, a shower facility, electric bike charging stations, a repair station and commuter lockers.

As UTampa continues to improve its campus accessibility by bike, it will have access to a variety of free tools, a library of resources, and technical assistance from the League to become even more welcoming to people who bike.

To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, including the Bicycle Friendly Community® (BFC), Bicycle Friendly State® (BFS), Bicycle Friendly Business® (BFB), and Bicycle Friendly University® (BFU) programs, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA.