UofL earns silver-level Bicycle Friendly University status from the League of American Bicyclists

The university has maintained its status since 2013 as one of the top 100 bike-friendly universities in the country.

Bicycle Friendly University Silver Seal 2025-29For the fourth time in a row since 2013, the League of American Bicyclists has honored the University of Louisville with a silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of our achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling. The rating covers the years 2025-2029 and highlights UofL as one of the top 100 bike-friendly universities in the country.

The League is the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike. “What stands out about this round of Bicycle Friendly University awards is their commitment to listening, learning, and improving,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “That spirit of progress is helping shape today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders, equipping them to carry on the work of building a more Bicycle Friendly America.”

BFUs by State_2025The Bicycle Friendly University program now includes 204 colleges and universities in 42 states, 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 make bicycling safe, comfortable, and more accessible for all.

UofL is one of just two Bicycle Friendly Universities in the commonwealth of Kentucky, which also boasts three Bicycle Friendly Communities (including the city of Louisville) and eleven Bicycle-Friendly Businesses.
UofL takes take great pride in the bicycle friendly institution we have created for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

UofL’s Sustainability Council recognizes human-powered transportation as a core element of urban sustainability and a vital tool in tackling climate change and urban air quality, improving the health and finances of our campus community, and reducing the enormous costs of accommodating cars on campus. Whether you’re considering bike commuting from home, pedaling across campus, or just taking a mid-day spin to grab some lunch or do some errands, we encourage you to take advantage of all we provide to help you get in gear.Three Cheers For Bike Parking at the New Residence Hall Grand Opening Aug. 2022

  • Cardinal Directions helps you find safer routes and multi-modal solutions, including a free carpool-matching service for everyone;
  • UofL Bikeshare offers all students, faculty, and staff free loans of a bike, lock, and helmet – either just for the day, or for longer-term;
  • All current UofL students and employees can ride the entire TARC bus system for free using the Token Transit app. All buses are equipped with bike racks so you can go multi-modal or just catch a ride to your destination if the weather changes, it grows dark, you get tired, you have mechanical troubles, or you need to carry something incompatible with your bike.
  • Check out our resource page for UofL bike commuters for tons of practical tips and information; and
  • Explore our interactive Bike Map for all three UofL campuses showing where to find bike parking, fix-it stations, and bikeshare check-out locations!
As UofL’s Sustainability Director and daily bike commuter, Dr. Justin Mog, attests, “getting to campus under my own power on two wheels is the best part of my day. It keeps me healthy and happy with a lot less stress about everything from money to parking. A bicycle not only allows me to get around without polluting our environment or endangering other people and animals on our streets, but I get a workout while saving a ton of money and hassle. It is so liberating to never have to worry about parking, traffic jams, insurance, gas, carjackings, or any of that mess. And bikes are just plain fun. When I bike to campus, I don’t experience road rage, I get road joy!”
According to AAA estimates, as of September 2025, the average new car owner in the U.S. spends $11,577 per year ($965 per month) on all the costs of vehicle ownership (beyond the price of purchasing the vehicle). Consider giving yourself a nearly $12,000 raise just by getting rid of your car and discovering the joys of biking, walking, transit, carpooling, and perhaps renting or borrowing a car for those occasional instances when it is truly necessary.

 
BFUs by Award Level_2025In addition to receiving a rating, the League provided UofL with a detailed feedback report filled with ideas for moving our campus toward a gold-level Bicycle Friendly University. As UofL continues to improve its campus accessibility by bike, it will have access to a variety of free tools, a library of resources, and technical assistance from the League to become even more welcoming to people who bike. When colleges and universities invest in the comfort and safety of people bicycling, it benefits everyone by reducing traffic and parking pressures, improving air quality, creating a culture of fun and health, and improving campus access to everyone using low-speed wheels – wheelchairs, strollers, rolling bags, wagons, carts, skateboards, and scooters.
 
The Bicycle Friendly America Program includes the Bicycle Friendly Community® (BFC), Bicycle Friendly State® (BFS), Bicycle Friendly Business® (BFB), and Bicycle Friendly University® (BFU) programs.
 
Since 1880, the League of American Bicyclists has been people-powered, with a goal to make bicycling safer and easier as a means of transportation and recreation. Today, the League continues to improve lives and strengthen communities through bicycling. The League has more than 200,000 members and supporters, with more than 1,000 state and local advocacy groups and bike clubs, as well as thousands of businesses, universities, and communities together leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.