Deborah Freed named 2013 Extraordinary Bike Professional by regional organization
Deborah Freed, alternative transportation manager at Virginia Tech, was recently named the 2013 Extraordinary Bike Professional by RIDE Solutions, a regional transportation demand management agency dedicated to expanding the efficiency and life of the roadway network and reducing the environmental impacts of vehicle emissions.
Freed was honored for her dedication to improving bicycle accommodations, education, access, and safety in the region.
“Debby gives the Virginia Tech community remarkable leadership in encouraging the use of bicycles as a transportation alternative,” said Richard McCoy director of parking and transportation. “Her work on our campus along with other local and regional partners has improved bicycle safety throughout the area,” said McCoy.
Beginning in 2000, Freed coordinated of the first alternative transportation program at Virginia Tech. The Bike, Bus, and Walk program allowed university faculty, staff, and students to ride Blacksburg Transit fare-free with a Hokie Passport. In addition, Freed created the university's vanpool program for full-time Virginia Tech employees, and she continues to expand its carpool program.
Recently, Virginia Tech was designated a “bicycle friendly university” by the League of American Bicyclists, recognizing the university’s commitment to promoting and providing a more bicycle-friendly campus for students, staff and visitors. Virginia Tech has improved conditions for cyclists by building three miles of bike lanes, nine miles of shared paths, and several covered bicycle racks.
RIDE Solutions is a grant-funded program supported by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Roanoke-Valley Alleghany Regional Commission, the New River Valley Planning District Commission, and Region 2000 Local Government Council. The organization partners with area citizens and businesses to connect them with commuting options, beyond the single-occupancy vehicle, to access work and school.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
