on Campus Etiquette
When riding a bike on campus, it is important to be safe and considerate of those around you. When in doubt, remember these three principles:
For more information on safety and etiquette, visit The League of American Bicyclists' Ride Smart page. For details on University policy and regulations, see the city municipal code and the University of Arkansas's Parking and Transit website.
On campus mountain biking
As Northwest Arkansas has developed into the mountain biking capital of the world, the University of Arkansas has continued to create opportunities for students to engage in the popular outdoor activity. Whether they’re commuting to class on the U of A section of the Fayetteville Traverse, looping through the trees on the Freshman Experience, or honing their skills at the Tsa La Gi bike park, students of all skill levels can hit the on-campus trails.
Off campus, the Fayetteville Traverse trail can bring riders to world class mountain biking at Kessler Mountain and Centennial Park. For students who want to make a whole day of riding, the Razorback Greenway connects riders with all the trails and parks NWA has to offer. With plenty of local bike shops ready to provide tune-ups and new gear, U of A students can get right back out on the trails.
For more information, check out the mountain bike trails homepage!
Bike-Friendly University
The League of American Bicyclists certified the University of Arkansas as a Bicycle-Friendly in 2016. In 2019 the U of A was given a gold rating, and that rating was renewed in 2023 through 2027. The League of American Bicyclists is a nationally recognized organization that bases its awards on the following 5 characteristics: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation.
Equity & Accessibility – The U of A should be a place where cycling for recreation and transportation is accessible to all students, through efforts to make cycling to campus easier regardless of where you live and making bikes more affordable with our annual bike donation drive in collaboration with Pedal it Forward.
Engineering – OFS has continued to invest in bike friendly infrastructure on campus, making roads and paths safer for cyclists and pedestrians who share the road with them. This includes better signage for bike lanes, conversion of staired sections into ramps, and bike racks and quick-fix stations all around campus. To learn more about one of our upcoming bike projects, check out the plans for a redesigned Maple St.
Education – Education efforts related to cycling and bike safety are held year-round, including beginning of year cycling events and tables at freshmen orientation. Beyond that, students can participate in classes and workshops with UREC Outdoors around bicycle maintenance and safety, or University curriculum classes in mountain biking.
Encouragement – Outreach encouraging biking on campus has continued to grow since our initial rating. Most recently the monthly OFS hosted Cruise to Campus events have successfully connected university students and faculty with the larger Fayetteville cycling community including local bike shops and registered student organizations.
Evaluation & Planning – OFS tracks transportation habits of students and faculty with annual, setting targets for changes in types of transportation. These kinds of changes reduce the U of A carbon footprint, save money, and make students safer and more active.
Check out the feedback from our 2023 review, or visit the League of American Bicyclists website for the full list of Bicycle-Friendly Universities.