A-State Bike Plan
On the Arkansas State University campus, there are almost 10 miles of marked bicycle accommodations which make up the Pedestrian And Cyclist (PAC) Paths system.
The majority are shared usage areas – either the wider mixed-use paths in the heart of campus or along Aggie Road or University Loop on the west side of campus, or shared roadways such as much of University Loop and other key roadways.[B1]
In June 2018, Chancellor Kelly Damphousse dedicated the first section of a new campus bicycle and pedestrian loop on the Arkansas State University campus.
Designed as a part of the university’s Pedestrian and Cyclist (PAC) Paths, the addition brings the overall system close to 10 miles of combined bicycle lanes, shared use paths and shared use roads.
It is the second purpose-built path and the longest to date on campus at three-fourths of a mile. The first path was composed of two sections constructed in 2012 behind Sorority Row and in front of the Honors Learning-Living Community.[B2]
A Transportation Alternatives Grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation in the amount of $500,000, matched with $125,000 by Arkansas State, was utilized to complete the trail.[B3]
First selected as a Bronze level BFU in 2014, A-State’s application for renewal earned upgrade to Silver. Arkansas State is one of 59 Silver level Bicycle Friendly Universities in America, and joins University of Arkansas in Fayetteville as the only Silver institutions among the four BFUs in the state. A-State was among eight universities like Texas A&M University that were promoted this year to Silver status.[B4]
Two of the significant additions to the university’s previous BFU status are the completion of a 3/4-mile long dedicated bike-ped multi-use trail along the western and southern sides of campus, including the first bike-ped bridge on campus, and the addition of dockless bicycle sharing systems for the university community.[B5]
A-State is also active in the wider community, assisting with or sponsoring cycling events ranging from the Tour duh Sunken Lands, helping sponsor Smart Cycling courses for community members, and educational outreach partnerships with My Healthy Jonesboro for Smart Rider Saturday for the North Jonesboro area and in-school safety educational program with Nettleton Schools.[B6]
Arkansas State University has also welcomed a new bike share partner to its Jonesboro campus with an agreement with VeoRide.
VeoRide launched, Aug. 2018, with a small fleet of 25 bikes in their corporate teal, but by the end of September, the campus will see another 180 custom-branded Scarlet and Black bicycles with university logos.[B7]
The VeoRide dockless bike share works the same as previous systems, but with some important upgrades for end users. Riders download the VeoRide mobile app and use it to scan and unlock a bicycle to ride, but there are also ways to use the VeoRide bikes that do not require a debit or credit card.[B8]
Through the app, riders can reserve a bike for up to 10 minutes before starting a ride. Just select the bike you want, place a hold, and it will be waiting for you to ride.[B9]
