UC's bike plan

Many don't know this, but the University of Cincinnati is quietly becoming one of the greenest schools in the U.S. This year's Princeton review named UC to its list of national leaders in environmental practices. It is the only public school in Ohio to receive the honor. UC's commitment to sustainability took shape in 2007 when President Zimpher signed The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Since then, the president's advisory council on environment and sustainability has created a comprehensive sustainability plan for the university. Much of this plan involves the built environment, but one of its most unique aspects is a commitment to alternative transportation, especially bicycles.

In December of 2009, UC drafted the first version of its comprehensive bike plan. The plan outlines a number of initiatives that are meant to increase bicycle use throughout the campus and surrounding areas. The University of Cincinnati Bike Share Program, which began on April 22, 2010, is one of the first steps in the bike plan. The bike share program allows both students and faculty to rent bikes in a similar manner to checking out books at the library. The bikes are free and come with all required safety equipment. All that is needed is a student or faculty/staff ID. Bicycle and monetary donations are being accepted by the program.

Another part of the bicycle plan involves awareness. This means adding bike routes to campus maps and increasing the amount of signage that marks routes. The plan also includes the provision of safety courses and bike related literature for students and faculty. Rights of way outside of school jurisdiction are also addressed. The City of Cincinnati, which also has a new bike plan, has been coordinating efforts with the university in order to add bike lanes and "sharrows" to surrounding streets (e.g. Clifton Avenue).

Adding bicycle related infrastructure is integral to the plan. Showers and changing facilities throughout campus will be added to support the increase in ridership. New bikes racks will also be installed in both covered and open areas. These infrastructure items help support bikers and also add important LEED credits to any building attempting certification through the USGBC.

UC hopes that this plan will not only help lower the school's carbon footprint but will also serve as a social link between the university and the surrounding uptown neighborhoods.

In the coming weeks, I will continue to provide updates on all of UC's sustainability efforts.


Photo By: Joe Dunckley
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steinsky/