Fall 2025 Bicycle Interest Group Newsletter

Dear Columbia Bicycle Interest Group,  

As we head into Fall and a new academic year, we take this opportunity to share information on University and city-wide bike news and events. We hope this will encourage safe bicycling as a healthy and sustainable travel option for the Columbia community, while supporting Columbia’s sustainability plan, Plan 2030.

Happy riding!

Events

Ride Your Bike to Campus Days – September 3, 12, and 17, 2025

Mark your calendar for Public Safety’s Ride Your Bike to Campus Days on the Morningside, Manhattanville, and Medical Center campuses! At the events, you can meet other cyclists, receive free bicycle registrations, bike tune-ups, and more. Ride your bike to campus and get involved on these dates and locations:

Morningside Campus: 10:00am-3:00pm; Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, Low Plaza

Medical Center Campus: 10:00am-3:00pm; Friday, Sept 12, 2025, in front of 701 West 168th St (Haven Plaza)

Manhattanville: 10:00am-3:00pm; Wednesday, Sept 17, 2025 Lenfest Square

Micromobility updates around the city

Expanded on-site Citi Bike charging infrastructure to support growing ridership, including 116th St. and Amsterdam

In May, Citi Bike and NYCDOT announced plans to expand the pilot program, which allows Citi Bike batteries to be charged while docked, rather than requiring riders to swap them out, to 13 more stations. This reduces traffic congestion, improves the system's efficiency, and better ensures bikes are charged and ready to go. Plans are to include the station at 116th Street and Amsterdam, by the Morningside campus. Read more here.

NYCDOT releases plan to expand City greenways

This month, NYCDOT released Greater Greenways; the New York City Greenway Plan, a detailed plan for the expansion of greenways across New York City. Greenway routes aim to improve connectivity by designating car-free long-distance thoroughfares, which offer a safer and more attractive route for bikers and other micro-mobility devices. The plan also aims to connect existing greenways to improve connectivity. The plan includes information about how and where it plans to further develop greenway routes across the city. Read the announcement here or go directly to reading the plan here.

Safe Bike Education

The non-profit organization, Bike NY, offers hundreds of free bicycle education classes and programs for adults and youth in all five boroughs. Some of the classes include: Learn to Ride, Introduction to E-bikes, and On-Street Riding. Learn more here.

More commute and travel resources:

Electric Mobility Resources and Information:

For additional information on e-mobility, safety, and other details, please visit Columbia Transportation’s e-bikes and electric mobility webpage, which explains where to buy e-bikes and other beneficial resources. As the city updates sustainable transportation policies, this page will be updated with any critical details in the e-mobility world. Visit the webpage.

Work/Life Well-Being:

Join the Office of Work/Life Well-Being Listserv to stay in the know about upcoming physical activity and other well-being programs and events. There are several events and programs this semester, including the The Columbia vs. NYU: Uptown/Downtown Step Challenge starting on Monday, and more.

All our transportation services:

For additional information about your travel options, including important information for being a cyclist at Columbia, visit Columbia’s Transportation website. On behalf of the Sustainable Columbia Working Group for Transportation, thank you for being enthusiastic about bicycling and active travel.

Be well,

Daniel Allalemdjian
Director, Transportation Demand Management
Office of Sustainability 

Daniela Elazari
Director of Well-Being
Office of Work/Life

These initiatives contribute to the goals outlined in Columbia’s Sustainability Plan.