TWU earns bicycle friendly honorable mention

Feb. 19, 2021 — DENTON — For the first time, TWU earned an honorable mention from the League of American Bicyclists’s Bicycle Friendly University program. 

The League’s 2020 round of Bicycle Friendly University awards, announced on Feb. 18, honored 38 institutions, including TWU and three other new program entrants. In total, 212 institutions nationwide have earned varying levels of recognition from the organization. Universities apply to the program every four years and are required to meet certain thresholds to achieve one of five levels. 

"This was our first time to apply," said Jill Eckardt, executive director of University Housing and Dining and co-lead of the Build Well committee, "and Build Well is thrilled to receive this certification!"

Build Well is part of the university's Health and Wellbeing Initiative, which seeks to leverage TWU's historic commitment to wellbeing through a highly collaborative process that supports unique opportunities both in and out of the classroom for students. As part of one of the five themes, the Build Well theme seeks to assure that TWU's environment positively affects an individual's ability to be physically active, access healthy food, lower personal expenses, maintain social connections and leave a healthy planet for future generations.

TWU submitted the application in October 2020. According to a press release from the League of Amerian Bicyclists, applications to the Bicycle Friendly University program are graded on how well the campus makes biking an accessible and easy option for everyone. Campuses that earn the highest award levels offer well-connected bike networks with infrastructure for people of all ages and abilities, bike maintenance facilities and secure storage options, theft prevention programs, classes for people to hone their biking skills, campus events that promote bicycling as an option, and staffing to support better biking.

See the list of new and renewing BFU awards in 2020, as well the complete list of all 212 current Bicycle Friendly Universities. The Bicycle Friendly University program includes colleges and universities in 47 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 create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.

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Page last updated 5:00 PM, February 26, 2021