UPEI unveils first secure campus bike shelter to boost active transportation and safety
The University of Prince Edward Island has installed its first secure bike shelter with funding from the PEI Active Transportation Fund.
Located outside the Performing Arts Centre and Residence, the new shelter, which can accommodate 15 to 20 bikes, provides a safe and convenient option for students, faculty, and staff who choose cycling as a means of transportation to and from campus.
In 2025, Dr. Travis Saunders, Professor of Applied Human Sciences and Director of the Active Living Lab, submitted an application to the Provincial Active Transportation (AT) Fund. As a result, UPEI was subsequently awarded $40,000 to support the installation of the enclosed bike shelter.
“With the increase in the number of bikes and e-bikes on campus in the past two years, there has also been an increase in bike thefts, unfortunately,” said Saunders. “These thefts can have an especially devastating impact for those who rely on bikes as their primary mode of transportation. To promote and support cycling, it is crucial that commuters have access to secure bike storage on campus, so I am very grateful that this idea was supported financially and otherwise, and that it’s now a reality.”
“Projects like this make it easier for people to choose healthier, more sustainable ways to get around,” said Ernie Hudson, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy. “By investing in safe and secure cycling infrastructure, we’re supporting active transportation, reducing emissions, and helping create a campus environment that works better for students, staff, and faculty.”
The secure bike shelter project aligns with UPEI’s ongoing efforts to encourage active transportation, reduce transportation-related emissions, and create a more sustainable campus environment. By improving cycling infrastructure, the University aims to make it easier for members of the campus community to choose healthy, environmentally responsible transportation options. The project reflects UPEI’s commitment to sustainability and aligns with broader institutional goals to reduce its environmental footprint while supporting the well-being of students, staff, and faculty.
“Investments in active transportation infrastructure are an important part of creating a more sustainable campus,” said Tim Walker, UPEI Vice-President, Administration and Finance. “The installation of our first secure bike shelter directly supports the sustainability objectives outlined in UPEI’s Strategic Plan by encouraging low-carbon transportation options, reducing barriers to cycling, and helping to build a campus culture that values environmental stewardship. We are grateful to the Government of Prince Edward Island for its support through the Active Transportation Fund, which has made this project possible.”
Like all other bike racks on campus, the new secure bike storage facility is free for users and will be maintained by UPEI Facilities Management. The department will control access to the bike rack by processing applications and managing access via a keyless entry system. Facilities Management will also install a closed-circuit TV camera to provide additional security at the facility.
Over the past two years, UPEI has implemented several initiatives to increase the number of bike trips to and from campus, contributing to increased physical activity and overall health for members of the campus community.
Since 2023, UPEI has added six additional bike racks across campus and added over 500 meters of sidewalks and shoulders to existing roads. In June 2024, the University held its first Car Free Day, with more than 110 faculty and staff biking to work for a total of 2,000 kms saved. UPEI also added e-scooter rental locations, which has led to over 800 trips by members of the campus community. In addition, the UPEI Healthy Campus Committee is funding the purchase of a bike pump and repair station for the campus in the near future—another incentive to increase active transportation on campus.
These projects, along with secure bike storage, further support the connectivity of the greater Charlottetown community and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the capital region.
Since 2020, the Active Transportation Fund has provided $23.5 million for projects that support cycling and walking across Prince Edward Island. These investments have helped create more active, connected, and healthy communities for Islanders of all ages.
