The League of American Bicyclists has recognized the University of Nevada, Reno with a bronze level designation as a Bicycle Friendly University. The University joins 127 other colleges and universities across 42 states and Washington, D.C. to receive this designation for 2015.

University Campus Bicycle Committee Chair and Community Health Sciences Lecturer Amy Fitch said that the University has focused efforts on making campus bicycle friendly.

"In the past couple years we have been involved in the creation of a campus bicycle guide and map, adding bike racks to some of the campus escort vans, promotional item giveaways and a bike repair workshop in the residence halls," Fitch said. "In the future, we want to continue these efforts as well as advocate for improved bicycle-friendly campus facilities."

This is the first year the University has received this designation. The committee is continuing to work on efforts in promoting a bicycle-friendly campus.

"Members of the Campus Bicycle Committee are currently involved in discussions about proposed campus policies that could affect cyclists," Fitch said.

To receive this designation, the Campus Bicycle Committee submitted a survey, which evaluated the University's efforts to promote bicycling in five areas: engineering, encouragement, education, enforcement and evaluation and planning.

"In its fourth year, we've seen the Bicycle Friendly University program reach an exciting level of growth and momentum, as more and more campuses support bicycling in new and innovative ways," Amelia Neptune, the League's Bicycle Friendly University program manager, said. "From bike storage inside dorm rooms to bicycle-powered music festivals, we applaud this round of BFUs for raising the standard of what a bicycle-friendly campus looks like."

In addition to the Campus Bicycle Committee's improvements, University Parking Services encourages bicycling as a convenient transportation option by providing free bicycle permits and bicycle lockers for rent. The permit registration system helps gather an accurate count of bicyclists, which helps the committee advocate for more resources for bicyclists on campus. University Parking Services also offers those who have registered their bicycles five free daily parking permits for use on days when alternate transportation is just not possible.

For more information on the University's campus bicycle guide, visit unr.edu/bicycle or to learn more the League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly University program, visit bikeleague.org/university.