U.S. News and World Report recognizes UNE's bike alternative transportation program
U.S. News and World Report in its online Best Colleges Short Lists section notes the University of New England's unique free bike alternative transportation program is one of a number of programs around the nation that helps keep cars off campus and parking spaces open.
UNE's bike program in April 2013 was also recognized by the League of American Bicyclists, which designated UNE as a "Bicycle Friendly University" the only college or university in Maine to receive that designation. The League named 58 Bicycle Friendly Universities in 30 states.
The Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bicycle-friendly campus for students, staff and visitors.
In 2008 UNE President Danielle Ripich signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and established a Climate Action Planning Team to develop a roadmap for becoming carbon neutral.
Among the many sustainability initiatives implemented since that time, UNE launched a unique free bike alternative transportation and Zipcar program in fall 2008 to reduce the number of vehicles on campus and UNE’s carbon footprint. The program is one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind in the country.
UNE also has a bicycle club offering tours throughout the seacoast, bicycle rentals, repairs and more. The university also gives prospective students the option of touring its beautiful coastal Maine campus on a bicycle during the summer months.
UNE operates the seasonal Saco River ferry for commuters traveling to UNE from the Saco-Old Orchard Beach, Maine area. The river ferry transports passengers between Camp Ellis, Saco and the UNE pier in Biddeford, and encourages passengers to bring bicycles with them for transportation once on campus.
The National Wildlife Federation in 2012 recognized UNE's Saco River Ferry project as one of the NWF Campus Ecology program's Best Green Campus Projects of 2012.