³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ named a 'Bike-Friendly University' by League of American Bicyclists
The League of American Bicyclists has recognized the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ as a "Bicycle Friendly University," the only college or university in Maine to receive that designation.
The League named 58 Bicycle Friendly Universities in 30 states.
The Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bicycle-friendly campus for students, staff and visitors. It evaluates efforts to promote bicycling in five primary areas: engineering, encouragement, education, enforcement and evaluation/planning.
Those institutions recognized provide the necessary tools and infrastructure for safe and comfortable bicycling, and facilitate programs to encourage and support cyclists.
In its letter to ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ awarding the Bronze designation, the League stated, "You should take great pride in the bike-friendly campus you have created for your students, faculty, staff and visitors."
In 2008 ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ President Danielle Ripich signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and established a Climate Action Planning Team to develop a roadmap for becoming carbon neutral.
Among the many sustainability initiatives implemented since that time, ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ launched a unique free bike alternative transportation and Zipcar program in fall 2008 to reduce the number of vehicles on campus and ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's carbon footprint. The program is one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind in the country.
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ also has a bicycle club offering tours throughout the seacoast, bicycle rentals, repairs and more. The university also gives prospective students the option of touring its beautiful coastal Maine campus on a bicycle during the summer months.
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ operates the seasonal Saco River ferry for commuters traveling to ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ from the Saco-Old Orchard Beach, Maine area. The river ferry transports passengers between Camp Ellis, Saco and the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ pier in Biddeford, and encourages passengers to bring bicycles with them for transportation once on campus.