UK Transportation Services Upgrades Campus Bicycle Facilities

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 22, 2017) — The number of University of Kentucky students and employees choosing to ride a bicycle on campus continues to grow. Over the summer, UK Transportation Services made significant investments in upgrading the resources available to campus cyclists.

As part of a bicycle parking improvement project, nearly 200 campus bike parking spaces are being upgraded to a newer, more efficient and more secure rack style. The new racks meet the best practice standards of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. Many of these new racks are already in place, while others are being installed this week.

Additionally, 20 bicycle parking spaces were added to the Kroger Field West Blue Lot Bus Shelter and to Woodland Glen II, respectively, for a total of 40 spaces.

Nearly 400 bike parking spaces were added to the newly opened University Flats and Lewis Hall residence halls. More than half of these spaces are covered.

In total, approximately 440 bike parking spaces were added or upgraded on campus this summer.

The DIY Fix-It Station previously located at South Campus Commons was relocated to Ag North; the new location is situated in an area of campus that was previously lacking a repair station. The other repair stations on campus are on Patterson Drive, at Blazer Dining, College of Nursing, adjacent to the Oswald Building, at W.T. Young Library, at the Johnson Center, and outside the Rose Street Garage.

Finally, the entrance to Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library (WWBL) was renovated to be more bike-friendly. This free bicycle resource, available to faculty, staff and students, is located on the first floor of Blazer Dining. It is now easier than ever to find, thanks to the distinctive yellow bikes hanging outside the entrance. The ramp outside WWBL was also improved to make the shop more bicycle-accessible.

Students who are interested in learning more about the nationally recognized WWBL are invited to stop by the Wildcat Wheels Open House tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. See all that Wildcat Wheels has to offer, including free bike checkout and repair! Attendees will have the opportunity to make their own pedal-powered smoothie and may enter to win a commuter bike package.

An interactive map of all campus bike facilities can be found at https://maps.uky.edu/bicycle. Students and employees who notice a need for more bike parking in a particular area of campus may submit a request via www.uky.edu/transportation/help-and-resources_forms.