Stony Brook University named a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists
Stony Brook University is being honored with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award by the League of American Bicyclists in recognition of its achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus, according to a press release on Oct. 29.
“Each year Stony Brook University continues to take steps towards improving sustainability including our campus accessibility by bike, and we are honored to receive this designation,” noted Tom Lanzilotta, assistant director of energy management & sustainability at Stony Brook. Mobility and Parking Services (MAPS), in partnership with the Office of Sustainability, is responsible for maintaining and tracking usage of the University’s Wolf Ride Bike Share Program, one of the main biking initiatives on campus. Since its inception in 2013, the program has continued to increase ridership each year, notably achieving 72,187 rides during the 2023-2024 academic year. In addition, the university provides ample bicycle racks, hosts a six-mile long Paul Simons Memorial Bike Path, and is home to the Freewheel Collective – a group helping refurbish bicycles for students.
“Since MAPS’ creation in 2022, our team has worked diligently to onboard varying modes of transportation, including micro-mobility. We want our community to have modern, sustainable options that make their lives easier and Wolf Ride is a big part of this,” said Kendra Violet, executive director for Mobility & Parking Services (MAPS). “I’m extremely proud of our team’s efforts. We’re all in on enabling Seawolves to ‘ride green,’ and building a future-focused and flexible mobility plan.”
The League of American Bicyclists is the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike. Its Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) program includes 210 colleges and universities in 44 states and the District of Columbia, 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.
“When universities make biking easier, safer, and more accessible, they’re not just helping students get from point A to point B—they’re leading the charge in creating a more sustainable future,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “By prioritizing better biking, Bicycle Friendly Universities like Stony Brook University are empowering students and staff to make choices that benefit their health, their environment, and their communities.”
