The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) released the most recent honorees in its Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) program and Alfred received a Bronze designation. The designations are for four years; Alfred’s is a renewal of the Bronze honor it earned in 2013. The award recognizes Alfred University’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.
“From renewing Platinums to brand new Bronzes, this latest class of Bicycle Friendly University awardees show a wonderful commitment to safety, health and sustainability through their efforts to support bicycling on campus,” said Amelia Neptune, Director of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America Program. “We applaud this round of BFUs for raising the standard and being innovative in making bicycling a safe, convenient and enjoyable option for students, staff and visitors alike.”
“I am thrilled to have our designation renewed in the Bronze category,” said Kathy Woughter, vice president of Student Affairs at Alfred University. “With a shorter biking season, we are proud that Alfred University has focused on getting students out, experiencing our beautiful area, being healthy and well, and cutting down on cars.”
The centerpiece of Alfred University’s efforts at promoting bicycling as a safe and healthy activity is the University’s Bike Hub, which was founded in 2009 by then-student Ian Cramer ’10. Located on the first floor of Powell Campus Center, the Bike Hub is run and staffed by current students.
Bicycles – standard and premium varieties – are available for rent: daily, weekly and monthly. In addition, Bike Hub staff will perform maintenance and repair on bicycles for a nominal fee. Bicycles can also be stored over semester breaks for a nominal fee, with free tune-ups provided. The Bike Hub also has available maps of bicycle routes in the area.
“Since the creation of the Bike Hub in 2009, we've seen the use of bikes on campus increase steadily, and we've offered a low-cost option for bike repair, tuning and storage,” Woughter said. “I want to commend and thank Ian Cramer, the student who originally proposed and created the Bike Hub, and all the students who have worked there over the past eight years to make it so successful.”
Many of the roadways through campus are limited to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, or have restrictions on use by motorized vehicles, which is a factor in the LAB awarding bicycle-friendly designation.
Alfred is one four colleges and universities in New York to have their Bike Friendly designations renewed this year, all at the Bronze level; the others are Rochester Institute of Technology, St. Lawrence University and SUNY Cortland. Eight other New York schools, all Bronze designees, were not up for renewal this year.
