The League of American Bicyclists has honored Pitt’s Oakland campus with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus.
The recognition comes as Bike Share Pittsburgh rolls out its new system, called POGOH, featuring lighter, sturdier bikes. The new system, which was announced March 16, will replace Healthy Ride in about three weeks and current users will have to register again when it begins operation, according to the Post-Gazette.
Bike Share Pittsburgh should have 38 new stations open in the first phase of the $2.8 million project. That will include 400 new bikes, half of which will be e-assist bikes. Another 65 stations should be in place by the end of the year with 300 more bikes equally split between pedal bikes and e-assist.
Pitt has partnered with Healthy Ride for the past few years to provide free 30 minute rides for members of the University community. Aurora Sharrard, Pitt’s sustainability director, said the University definitely anticipates continuing it spartnership with Pittsburgh’s nonprofit bike share. The University community will need to re-register and she said that will be communicated widely when it is required.
Achieving Silver-level Bicycle Friendly award moves the University toward the interim goal of the Pitt Sustainability Plan of achieving Gold by 2025.
Pitt is part of the 2021 class of 33 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Universities nationwide. The Bicycle Friendly University program now includes 222 colleges and universities in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
Bike Friendly Universities are part of the league’s Bicycle Friendly America program, which also awards communities and businesses with certifications as part of its mission to make bicycling safe, comfortable and more accessible for all.
Investing in bicycling also supports the University’s journey to carbon neutrality by 2037 by providing student and employee commuters safe and healthy biking amenities and culture that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation emissions. It also creates an active work and learning environment, a more connected campus and a healthy campus culture.