“We are honored to receive this designation for the first time and to be nationally recognized for our efforts to foster a robust bicycling community,” says Climate Action Analyst Morgan King. “We are committed to making bicycling to, from, and on campus safer and more convenient, and to advocating for bicycling as an affordable, healthy, and sustainable form of transportation and recreation.”
Cal Poly Humboldt encourages bicycling as a convenient transportation option and provides amenities and services such as the Bicycle Learning Center, free bike locks when registering a bike with the University Police Department, and the Humboldt Bike Share program. The University also just added shared path symbols to the sidewalk along LK Wood Blvd to allow bike commuters a safe and easy route to campus.
“We want more bicycles on campus,” says King. “Equitable transportation is a basic needs issue, and bicycles offer a very affordable, accessible option to get from point A to point B. With a bike, you are not paying for gas, vehicle maintenance, or parking. Plus, it's often faster to bike to campus than to circle around trying to find parking.”
As Cal Poly Humboldt continues to improve its campus bike accessibility, 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. When colleges and universities invest in the comfort and safety of people bicycling, great things happen: a reduced carbon footprint, stronger connections to the surrounding communities, and more people experiencing the joy and health benefits of bicycling.
"What stands out about this round of Bicycle Friendly Universities is their commitment to listening, learning, and improving," said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. "That spirit of progress is helping shape today's students into tomorrow's leaders, equipping them to carry on the work of building a more Bicycle Friendly America."
The Bicycle Friendly University program now includes 204 colleges and universities in 42 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 for all.
About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
Since 1880, the League of American Bicyclists has been people-powered, with a goal to make bicycling safer and easier as a means of transportation and recreation. Today, the League continues to improve lives and strengthen communities through bicycling. We are more than 200,000 members and supporters strong, with more than 1,000 state and local advocacy groups and bike clubs, as well as thousands of businesses, universities, and communities together leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. Learn more at www.bikeleague.org.
About Cal Poly Humboldt
Cal Poly Humboldt is Northern California’s first polytechnic university and one of three polytechnic universities in the California State University system. Dedicated to hands-on learning, applied research, and social and environmental stewardship, the University’s unique environment serves as a living laboratory for innovation in sustainability, climate resiliency, renewable energy, natural resources, and more. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across three colleges: Natural Resources & Sciences, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Professional Studies.