From checking out a free yellow bike for a casual ride around campus to making a swift arrival to class or meetings on a personal road bike, students, faculty, staff and visitors at Northern Arizona University embrace a vibrant biking culture.
Recently earning yet another spot at the silver level on the national bike-friendly campuses list, NAU has been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists for its continued commitment to promoting a bikable environment on the Flagstaff campus.
The university has maintained silver status year after year based on five categories: the availability of education programs for cyclists and drivers; promotion and encouragement for cycling on campus; engineering that promotes cycling such as designated bike paths and innovative methods of accommodating bicycles; efforts to prevent bicycle theft and encourage motorists to share the road with cyclists; and evaluation and planning of cycling programs on campus.
Bicycles are a critical mode of transportation at NAU and provide an easy and eco-friendly way to get around campus. The university actively encourages a biking culture through the free Yellow Bike program, bike registration and locker storage to protect bicycles from weather, and enhancements to the campus pedways including the addition of an east-west pathway.
The university first received recognition from the League of American Bicyclists in 2012. The complete list of 75 bicycle-friendly campuses in 32 states may be viewed here.
NAU also recently was recognized by College Prowler as the most eco-friendly campus in Arizona and ranked among the top five campuses nationwide.