MADISON, Wis. -- Madison prides itself on the miles of bike paths that wind through the city and now one section of path is even "greener" than the others.

VIDEO: Watch The Report

A portion of a bike path on the University of Wisconsin campus is becoming easier and brighter to get around -- while going green in the process.

It might seem like a lot of fanfare for the opening of a campus bike path but for those who use it its cause for celebration, WISC-TV reported.

Deb Sutinen, at UW employee, said this is a perfect shortcut between her two campus jobs and will be an alternative to fighting traffic.

"I noticed it when I saw bicyclists come through here and I guess it just hadn't occurred to me to really follow them until I did a couple days ago and I was thrilled," said Sutinen. "In fact, I stopped every construction worker that was doing the finishing touches to say thank you."

Said Sutinen, "It's a much safer way for me to cross campus. I'm trying to get better at not driving my car and riding my bike so this is an added bonus."

Another added bonus, the path that uses human power has also harnessed the power of the sun.

"This is a perfect opportunity," said Dave Toso, a senior engineer with Madison Gas & Electric. "We've got such an open exposure to the south so we can collect solar electricity, store it in a battery and then the battery will light that at night."

The 37 lights make up one of the largest solar installations in the country. A safe addition to a path used all times. And by offering safe travels, the UW also hopes to lead the way to renewable energy, WISC-TV reported.

"The bike path in although small in perhaps those grandiose terms is a way for us to continue to educate ourselves, educate each other, educate newcomers to the Madison community that these are the kinds of things we believe in, these are the kinds of things we want to foster," said Pat Farrell, a provost with the university.

Alderwoman Robbie Weber said she's hoping to get the path extended into the Shorewood Hills neighborhood to connect further into the west side and Toso said they're looking for other projects to show that renewable energy can be "urban" too.