Cornell has been awarded a bronze designation by the League of American Bicyclists for its long history of promoting bicycle transportation on campus.

"For nearly two decades, the Cornell Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee (CBPC), including members from such departments as Transportation and Mail Services, Cornell Police, Cornell Grounds, Environmental Health and Safety, and Campus Planning, Design and Construction, has been working on behalf of bicyclists," said Joseph M. Lalley III, senior director of Facilities Operations. "David Lieb and Susan Powell, in the transportation office, and other members of the CBPC have steadfastly improved Cornell's biking environment through the establishment of bike lanes, shared walks, educational programs and bike racks."

A 20-bike renting service called Big Red Bikes, organized in partnership with Facilities Operations by students interested in promoting cycling on campus, will soon make the Cornell campus even more accessible to cyclists.

The bronze award -- officially the Bike Friendly Businesses and Universities award -- was offered this year for the first time and is based on performance in engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation. Highlights of Cornell accomplishments in these areas include:

Looking ahead, Lalley said that the CBPC is developing a master plan for continued support of campus bicycle parking, perhaps including sheltered or secured bike parking, to be integrated with the system of shared walks and roadways.