The Office for Sustainability created a survey about bicycling on campus. We would like anyone and everyone to take this survey; it does not matter whether you even know how to ride a bike! We still would love your input.
If you would like more information about the purpose of the survey, then please continue reading this email. If you’re content to just take the survey and be on your way, then we appreciate your time, for we know you are busy! Thanks so much!
Click here to take survey now.
This summer the University of Arkansas has begun pursuing official certification as a Bicycle Friendly University (BFU).
The League of American Bicyclists, which coordinates the Bicycle Friendly University and Bicycle Friendly Community programs, offers five levels of certification to a university. Each university can increase its profile by improving criteria set out by 5 E’s: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation/Planning.
The U of A received the Honorable Mention designation when it first applied in 2014. This is the first level awarded and does not receive recognition as a BFU.
The U of A is now pursuing Bronze level certification. Achieving Bronze allows a university to claim the title of Bicycle Friendly and sets the stage for even greater improvement as momentum for the BFU continues to build.
Silver level certification is awarded to universities that have contributed a major effort into creating a solid biking culture on their campus. The City of Fayetteville recently achieved the incredible feat of becoming a Silver level Bicycle Friendly Community, and the University of Arkansas hopes to catch up to, if not surpass, the City of Fayetteville in this endeavor.
The fourth and fifth levels are Gold and Platinum, respectively. While these designations seem far off in the U of A’s future, we believe that aiming for Platinum from the outset will align us for success in the future.
This task is not an easy one, and it will require a lot of partnership, enthusiasm, and hard work from all the people who help to make the U of A what it is today. You can begin contributing to this huge effort by considering riding your bike to campus once more per week (or per month) than you do now, engaging those around you in conversations about cycling on campus, and filling out our short 10 minute survey about possible barriers to cycling on the U of A campus.
Click here to take the survey about bicycles on campus and contribute to the U of A’s effort to become a Bicycle Friendly University (http://uark.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_diJRfo31porhy8l).
All the best,
Office for Sustainability