U Bike Center wins international award

The University of Minnesota Bike Center won the Award of Excellence from the International Parking Institute on Tuesday, according to a news release.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the innovative and forward-thinking projects born at the U,” Bob Baker, director of Parking and Transportation Services, said in the news release.

The Bike Center opened in September 2011 to help serve the 7,000 bicyclists on campus daily with repair help, advice, do-it-yourself maintenance stations and showers.

It also houses the Radio Frequency-Identification program – the first in the nation of its magnitude – that allows bicyclists to attach little readers to their bikes to track how far they travel. With this validation, they can receive incentives from employers.

The International Parking Institute awarded the highest award of seven categories to the Bike Center for its contributions to the industry.

“This program can serve as a blueprint for campuses around the nation,” Baker said.