Colorado College has earned a 2025 Bronze Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) Award from The League of American Bicyclists. The award celebrates colleges and universities that rise to the challenge by investing in infrastructure and partnerships that make biking safe, easier, and more accessible for everyone.

The Bicycle Friendly University program evaluates applicants’ efforts to promote bicycling in five primary areas: engineering, encouragement, education, evaluation/planning and equity/accessibility. CC’s Office of Sustainability provided details on bike-related policies, programs, educational initiatives, and infrastructure.

Application reviewers assessed these submissions along with local insights shared via campus surveys to determine the award level—Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Honorable Mention, or No Award. Forty-five institutions of higher education were awarded the honor this year, collectively shaping a national movement to help everyone experience the joy, freedom, and benefits of riding a bike.

The campus is very bike-friendly, with multiple bike racks and areas to store and secure bikes.

CC partners with PikeRide, a non-profit bike share program in Colorado Springs that provides bikes at convenient locations across campus for use throughout the service area. Students, staff, and faculty receive up to 30 minutes per day for free.

"Our students are the largest user group of that bike share service, and many of our students are also part of our Bike & Ski Co-op, where they have access to tools and training for maintenance on their own bikes, which they use for both transportation and recreation around our amazing city," said Director of Strategic Initiatives and Sustainability Ian Johnson. "Cycling is a deeply imbedded part of our culture at Colorado College."

The College also has a fleet of e-bikes and fat bikes (mountain bikes) for low-cost rentals, available during Gear House hours. These fleets cater to group rentals but can be rented by individuals if available.