The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is now recognized as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly University℠ by the League of American Bicyclists. The Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bikeable campus for students, staff, and faculty. The program evaluates applicants’ efforts to improve bicycling in five primary areas: engineering, encouragement, education, enforcement, and evaluation/planning. 

We would like to thank the faculty, staff, and students that have worked tirelessly to make this designation possible. UTK  joins an elite group of 221 colleges and universities in 47 states and the District of Columbia that are taking action to address the health and environmental challenges facing America by creating campuses more welcoming to people who bike.

Bicycle Friendly University℠ is a Service Mark of the League of American Bicyclists. Used with permission. Learn more at bikeleague.org/university.

We recognize that a more sustainable future is one in which commuters feel safe using alternative forms of  transportation. This Bicycle Friendly University designation shows that UTK is well on its way to making this a reality.

UTK’s bronze-level BFU distinction shows its consistent and substantial work towards making cycling more accessible on campus. It also shows that there is room for growth concerning the university’s bikeability. Stakeholders are constantly working to make UTK a more bike-friendly campus. This year alone, the university has increased the amount of bike racks and long-term bike storage available on campus as well as purchased bike lights and bike locks to ensure the safety of those who commute by cycling. UTK also hosted a week-long cycling festival with the goals of highlighting biking programs at UTK and in Knoxville, building  community among cyclists on campus, and encouraging  biking as a means of commuting sustainably. In the future, with the inclusion of proposed education and accessibility efforts as well as bike infrastructure improvements, the university can re-apply to receive a silver or gold-level BFU designation.

As UTK  continues to improve its campus accessibility by encouraging alternative forms of transportation, it will have access to a variety of free tools, a library of resources, and technical assistance from the League of American Bicyclists to become even more welcoming to people who bike. When UTK  invests in the comfort and safety of people bicycling, everyone wins– the university can decrease its carbon footprint through emissions reductions while promoting a fun and healthy campus culture for students, faculty, and staff. We are proud of this designation and are looking forward to continuing to ensure that UTK’s campus encourages and promotes cycling. 

Learn more about the League and its Bicycle Friendly University program at bikeleague.org/university.

Bicycle Friendly University℠ is a service mark
of the League of American Bicyclists and is used
with permission.