Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 56.88
Liaison Laura Young
Submission Date Feb. 11, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Michigan State University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Tim Potter
Manager, Bike Service Center
IPF Sustainability, Recycling & Surplus
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:

Secure, covered bike parking is available at two locations on campus. The MSU Bike Garages offer protection from theft and shelter from the elements. The locked cages open by card access and are available to MSU ID holders. Rates range from $15 - 50 for monthly to yearly.

Twelve of our 21 residence halls on campus have indoor secured bike rooms, with most of those halls having them on each floor. Our newest on-campus apartments also have indoor bike storage facilities in each unit. Shower facilities and lockers are available at 3 intramural locations on campus that are open to faculty, staff and students.

A new formalized program now offers an assigned large locker in one of our IM facilities for bike commuters who complete an app. and short survey. This page has links to all of our bike commuter benefits on campus incl. this one: https://msubikes.wordpress.com/commuter-benefits/


Does the institution provide short-term bicycle parking (e.g. racks) within 50 ft (15 m) of all occupied, non-residential buildings and make long-term bicycle storage available within 330 ft (100 m) of all residence halls (if applicable)?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:

Outdoor bike parking is available at every building on campus. Over 3/4 of that parking has been updated in the past decade and meets APBP guidelines. A newer rack design was implemented in the newest installation this summer which is shown to hold bikes upright better, encourages proper locking technique and reduces theft. The 2 secure bike storage facilities noted above are membership (for fee) based, hold approx. 75 bikes between the 2 locations; are completely covered on all sides with security fencing, are lit and also have DIY bike repair stations and air pumps inside.


Does the institution have a “complete streets” or bicycle accommodation policy (or adhere to a local community policy) and/or have a continuous network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths and lanes?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:

The page describes MSU's "complete streets" planning principle: http://ipf.msu.edu/resources/campus-master-plan/principles/circulation.html

MSU's main campus has approx. 70% of its core campus roads completed with bike lanes. The campus has a cross-campus separated bike/ ped pathway that is approx. 75% completed with many others criss-crossing campus that are not separated but are wide enough to be considered safe by federal standards.

This updated map shows our current network minus a couple new segments installed this summer: http://ipf.msu.edu/_files/pdfs/resources-bike-paths.pdf

MSU's office Bike Ordinances approved by the MSU Board of Trustees is located here: https://trustees.msu.edu/ordinances/ordinances_sec33.html


Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:

A new pilot bike share (bike library) system was launched in spring 2015 by our student government with support by our campus bike shop, MSU Bikes. It has 8 bikes that students can check out up to 24 hrs. at a time.

The MSU Bike Store offers bike rentals of many different types of bikes that are new or newer bikes (Fuji, SE brands) for durations from an hour to a full semester. Bikes are loaned out to anyone (general public included); a U-lock and maintenance is included. The fleet is now over 300 bikes strong.


Is the institution certified as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists (U.S.) or under a similar third party certification covering non-motorized transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:

MSU earned a Bronze level certification in spring of 2011.

MSU reapplied for the BFU program recently and is awaiting its new designation.


Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the mass transit program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):

MSU offers free bus passes for faculty and staff in partnership with the local bus provider.

From the MSU Parking Office:
"The Full Privilege Permit. This permit allows access to all employee parking lots and ramps. Access privileges to gated lots are enabled on your Spartan ID Card. If you are a regular employee then CATA Bus privileges will also be enabled on your Spartan ID Card."


Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
No

A brief description of the GRT program:
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Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
Yes

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:

Michigan Rideshare - Local Rideshare Offices (LRO) help commuters find vacancies in existing vanpools, or match people who are interested in forming a new carpool or vanpool group. For more information on MichiVan Commuter Vapools, please contact VPSI at 800-VAN-RIDE or visit their website at www.michivan.com.


Does the institution participate in a car sharing program, such as a commercial car-sharing program, one administered by the institution, or one administered by a regional organization?:
Yes

A brief description of the car sharing program:

Michigan State University and Zipcar have partnered to provide a car sharing service for the MSU community. The program began in January 2011 and started with 6 shared cars on campus. There are now 8 cards on campus in 4 locations. The City of East Lansing also has added Zipcar locations. Website: www.zipcar.com/msu

The Zipcar locations on campus are identified on our main campus map here (refer to the legend for the Zip Car locations): http://maps.msu.edu/interactive/


Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:

Five EV charging stations were installed on campus in 2012.

There are four stations located in the south Spartan Stadium parking lot and one in the parking ramp of the Kellogg Center. For more information: http://ipf.msu.edu/green/practices/green-transportation.html


Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the telecommuting program:

Like flexible work schedules, MSU leaves the decision for telecommuting between the employee and supervisor. MSU Human Resources offers resources for those who wish to participate in telecommuting.


Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week program:

Michigan State University is open to providing flexible work arrangements for employees. Flexible work schedules at MSU entail arrangements between supervisors and employees that allow employees to complete their employment duties while working non-traditional schedules. Flexibility within the work schedule includes varied beginning and end times to the work day and telecommuting.


Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
No

A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
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Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
No

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
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The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.