The University of Rochester encourages bicycling through UR Connections as an alternative option for transportation. UR Connections is the University’s campaign to promote the use of transportation alternatives that assist in reducing commuting costs for employees, reducing campus congestion, and promoting the sustainability efforts for the University of Rochester and our community. Through UR Connections, University students, staff, and employees can sign up for either a walking, biking, carpool, or public transportation bundle. These bundles allow University members to make more sustainable lifestyle choices while also allowing them to drive to campus when absolutely necessary. The bundles include a variety of amenities such as one-day parking passes, guaranteed rides home, coordinated WELL-U programs, access to bike racks and lockers, and prime parking spaces. Maps of bike rack locations on both the River Campus and the Medical Center are available on the Department of Parking and Transportation Management webpage.
City Cycles is a free bicycle lending program available on the River Campus for full-time University of Rochester undergraduates on the River Campus. The program is a partnership between Wilson Commons Student Activities, Student Association Government, and the Goergen Athletic Center. City Cycles aims to promote bicycling as an attractive and sustainable mode of transportation for the University of Rochester community. Bicycles can be borrowed for up to twenty-four hours or until next day close of business, whichever comes first. The bicycles can be used for recreation, exercise, transportation, and many other activities.
The City Cycles program is run through the University of Rochester Goergen Athletic Center. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 6:30 am until 11pm, Saturdays from 8am thru 8pm, and Sundays from 8am until 11pm. City Cycles also offers free and discounted bike repairs and parts courtesy of Towpath Bike Shop every Tuesday from 1-3pm on Library Road (near Dandelion Square).
To rent a bicycle through City Cycles, students can go to http://citycycles.rochester.edu/. There, students can choose from multiple bikes, which range in style and size. After choosing a bike, students can arrange a pickup time that is convenient for their schedule. The program will close annually at the end of October and reopen in the month of April. During winter months, City Cycles offers free winter bike storage for students’ personal bikes.
In 2015 the League of American Bicyclists recognized the University of Rochester’s efforts to promote bicycling on campus by designating the University as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly University (BFUSM). The Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) program recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a bicycle friendly campus for students, staff and visitors. It evaluates the applicant’s efforts to promote bicycling in five areas: engineering, encouragement, education, enforcement and evaluation/planning. With this award, the University of Rochester joins more than 100 visionary colleges and universities from across the country.
Written by Alyssa Lemire, Class of 2017
It is good to learn about these bicycle programs. I have a friend who is very good at this field. I think he can share his experiences at this too.
With holiday, I usually use my bicycle, It is helping for my healthy. My son also has two bikes, we usually exercise in the morning.
This is actually nice. You are helping the environment and making yourself healthy.