CHAMPAIGN, IL – Bike rack upgrades and additions will add approximately 1,000 improved spaces for bicycle parking on campus and increase rack availability outside of more than 20 facilities.
Facilities & Services (F&S) crews are installing new inverted U-shaped racks that accommodate two bicycles per loop. The efficient design helps prevent bikes from being scratched or damaged while parked and enhances the ability of bicyclists to secure their bike. The additional spaces will also help reduce the frequency of bikes locked in non-designated parking areas such as railings, signs, and fences, which can impede traffic flow or impact building and walkway accessibility.
This project was made possible through funding from the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC). The goal of the SSC’s $225K grant was to add bike parking in high-traffic areas on campus and promote a positive environmental impact through encouraging an increase in bicycling. Active transportation initiatives are part of the university’s Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) to reduce carbon emissions, and the bike parking upgrades are being implemented as part of the 2014 Campus Bike Plan.
The League of American Bicyclists has recognized the Urbana campus as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly University since 2011 for its commitment to supporting bicycling as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation. A 2015 bike census counted more than 5,500 bicycles parked on campus in a single hour. There are more than 400 bike parking locations in the University District.
Students, faculty, and staff are required to register their bicycles at http://www.fs.illinois.edu/services/more-services/tdm/biking. Registration can help in the recovery of lost, stolen, or impounded bicycles. The process also enables the university to plan more accurately for improved bicycle infrastructure. F&S established the Campus Bicycle Plan Implementation and Mission Fund this year to benefit campus bicycle improvements. Donations can be made at http://go.fs.illinois.edu/giveforbikes.
NOTE: Signage will be placed at construction locations ahead of scheduled work requesting bicycle removal from project areas. F&S appreciates everyone’s cooperation while these bike rack improvements occur.
Bike Rack Improvement Locations:
- Altgeld Hall
- Bevier Hall
- Campbell Hall
- Chemistry Annex
- Coordinated Science Laboratory
- David Kinley Hall
- Engineering Sciences Building
- Main Library
- Meat Science Laboratory
- Mechanical Engineering Building
- Music Building
- National Soybean Research Center
- Natural Resources Building
- Noyes Laboratory
- Nuclear Radiation Laboratory
- Public Safety Building
- Rehabilitation Education Center
- Roger Adams Laboratory
- Siebel Center for Computer Science
- Seitz Materials Research Laboratory
- Temple Hoyne Buell Hall
- University High School and Kenney Gym
- Wohlers Hall
- 1208 W. Springfield
News Release Bike Parking Upgrade