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With a trail network that dates to the 1960s, a fleet of shared bikes and partnerships that stretch well beyond campus, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has built a cycling culture that student recreation leaders say is worth sharing.

David Hagedorn, associate director of Campus Recreation, presented SIUE’s approach on October 9 at the National Campus Bike Summit at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Cycling has a long history at SIUE. Hagedorn said the 2,600-acre campus has had bike and multiuse trail infrastructure “for decades,” including one of the area’s first rail-to-trail programs.

“The Delyte Morris Trail was created in the 1960s and many more trails on and off the campus have been created and interconnected since then,” Hagedorn said.

Much of that connectivity comes from Madison County Transit (MCT), which maintains the regional trail network that links to campus. Hagedorn said students benefit from “an amazing network of safe interconnected trails largely thanks to Madison County Transit’s initial and ongoing efforts.”

Cyclists also have trail options on the campus itself. Hagedorn noted that a network of wooded single-track trails open to hiking and biking is supported and maintained largely by community volunteers from Gateway Off Road Cycling (GORC), which partners with the University.

“Most people do not realize that there is also a network of wooded single-track trails on the SIUE campus,” he said.

For students without a bike, SIUE’s Bike Share program provides one.

The program’s fleet is led by Devin Elkins, a Campus Recreation graduate assistant, who created a fall incentive program called Pedal to the Prizes. Students sign up through the SIUE Engage platform and earn five points for every mile (1.5 kilometers) they ride. Riders who check out an official SIUE bike from Equipment Issue earn an additional five points per mile. Points are doubled during the final week of the challenge, Oct. 25-31. Participants can also earn 20 extra points by submitting an entry to a weekly “Cougar Challenge” email.

Some of the prizes include a Yeti brand insulated tumbler to the overall winner and a $25 gift card to Chick-fil-A, based on the drawing from among other participants.

Bike Share also grew out of a collaborative effort. Hagedorn said Campus Recreation worked with MCT, area businesses and SIUE marketing students to create sample trip itineraries, aimed in part at the University’s international students, who often arrive without a bicycle.

Student feedback shaped the format--short videos instead of complex maps, distances in both metric and imperial units, and visuals showing what a ride would look like to ease first-time nerves.

“When we work for each other, everyone can win and the net result can be greater than the sum of its parts,” Hagedorn said.

SIUE is also recognized as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly University^SM (BFU) by the League of American Bicyclists, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable transportation, student wellbeing and an accessible campus experience.

The same approach was the focus of Hagedorn’s presentation in Arkansas. Summit attendees came from universities across the country and largely worked in transportation services, parking and traffic, sustainability and facilities management.

Hagedorn also encouraged attendees to seek out the recreation departments on their own campuses, where shared goals could lead to better offerings for the whole campus community. He went on to highlight how some attendees told him they rarely see how their infrastructure and systems directly benefit students.

“The research in our field links regular exercise and time outdoors to better well-being, which supports students’ performance in the classroom and their ability to persist through challenges,” he shared. “Shared experiences can build a sense of belonging, accountability and support.”

For more information about SIUE Campus Recreation, visit siue.edu/crec.