The League of American Bicyclists is currently building a new local reviewer database for its Bicycle Friendly America (BFA) programs. The BFA program provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities, businesses and universities that actively support bicycling. BFA award winners promote cycling by providing safe accommodations for cyclists, encourage people to bike for transportation and recreation, and provide educational opportunities for both cyclists and motorists.
If you are a regular cyclist, work with or for cyclists, or are otherwise knowledgeable about bike issues – please consider becoming a BFA local reviewer.
As a local reviewer, you may receive applications from communities, businesses and universities that you have specified. The time commitment of reviewing an application and providing input is approximately 30 min to 60 min and you will have 2-3 weeks to complete your review. Reviews are typically requested in February/March and July/August. All local reviews remain anonymous to allow for candid feedback.
Your input is very important to us and the BFA applicants. If you have been a local reviewer in the past or are knowledgeable about bike issues and would like to become a new reviewer, please sign-up here! Contact Nicole at Nicole@bikeleague.org if you have any questions.
Congratulations to Richmond, Va. for winning the 2015 World Cycling Championships – Tim Miller and the team down there did a fantastic job to persuade international cycling’s ruling body, the UCI, to bring their premier event to the historic capital of Virginia. And now the hard work really begins for the entire cycling community in Richmond and beyond!
Four years from now, the eyes of the international cycling community and, to some extent, the world’s media, will be on Richmond. Hundreds of top riders from around the globe will descend on the region for not just the week of the championships but for weeks, months and even years in advance as preparations are made and training is completed. They will bring with them thousands of fans, spectators, team support, sponsors, media – and a lot of them are going to be riding the courses and checking out the Richmond area by bike. If the event took place today, I’m not sure the cycling world would be that impressed! Richmond certainly isn’t Copenhagen, which is where this year’s event is just wrapping up (Go Wiggo and Cav!).
Richmond has got four years to get its cycling act together! Fortunately, the city has a new bike plan underway, a newly hired bike coordinator, and a supportive Mayor and city council. The timeline is tight, but Richmond has a unique opportunity to put itself permanently on the map as a great cycling city – as a destination and a more livable and sustainable city – by using the excitement and urgency of the world championships coming to town. The local cycling community has always been active, and as the state capital Richmond is home to the Virginia Bicycling Federation and Bike Walk Virginia who cover the advocacy, education, and encouragement side of things really well; but this requires a whole new level of action and commitment from local cyclists, businesses and the local bike industry.
Just two hours away, I am sure that we’ll be doing what we can to help. The Bicycle Friendly Community and Bicycle Friendly Business programs are ideal blueprints for Richmond to follow (in our opinion, of course), and there’s a vibrant college scene that could make good use of the Bicycle Friendly University game plan. So, Richmond, Game On! Make us all proud.
Andy Clarke League President
Clarke was appointed to the position of Executive Director in April of 2004 after successfully leading efforts to create, interpret and implement the various transportation programs that are available to improve conditions for bicycling and walking as the League’s State and Local Advocacy Director.
Next up is Bill Nesper,Director of the Bicycle Friendly America Program.
Hi Bill, this is your ninth Bike Month with the League. How have you seen the event change over the years?
I think the biggest thing has been the growth in the number of communities and businesses that are promoting National Bike Month. There are a lot of creative ways to do it, too. Bike Month offers all sorts of opportunities for communities, states, businesses and universities to promote bicycling, from simply proclaiming May as Bike Month to community rides and offering incentives to cyclists. Everybody can find a way to celebrate.
What are you enjoying about this year’s Bike Month?
I am enjoying seeing social networking become such big tool for organizing and promoting events. Already this month we have seen tons of events popup on our event calendar.
You can follow Bike Month on Twitter with #BikeMonth.
As the director of the Bicycle Friendly America Program, can you give a few examples of cities that really impress you with their Bike Month festivities?
Lots of public officials participate in Bike Month events. Any notable examples?
A big Bike Month highlight for me so far was kicking off Bike Month in Minneapolis at the Active Living Bike Expo where I presented Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak with the Gold Bicycle Friendly Community designation. Mayor Rybak is a real champion for bicycling and has made the city a model – in a all-weather environment. One cool thing he has done is compete as a bike commuter in the city’s Commuter Challenge – see the video (warning: It’s long and shaky).
When and why do you ride your bike?
Biking for me has always been primarily about transportation, first as a teen getting the freedom to get out by myself to now getting to work, going to the store and transporting my two year-old to the better playgrounds in other neighborhoods. I have to add that there was a period of childhood recreational riding which was based on making ramps to jump on the street in front of my house.
What’s the longest ride you’ve ever done?
I don’t want to point any fingers but my longest rides are those done in places where bicyclists are not accommodated or worse, driven out of the transportation system by angry drivers, poor planning/engineering, etc. We all know these places.
Happier answer: A century…ehem, metric century that is. Sixty-something miles at El Tour de Tucson a few years back.
What tips do you have for new bike commuters?
If you want to be a bike commuter, make a commuting buddy who is already doing it in your neighborhood or workplace give you the lowdown. Bikeleague.org is great for learning important riding tips and finding a cycling class near you. Also, it is important to be visible but do not worry so much about what you wear. If you like Lycra go for it, if you like riding in a sport coat or dress, or whatever, go for it. Lastly, if you want to commute and your town is really not giving you what you need, show up at council meetings, write letters, find an advocacy group near you to join and use the Bicycle Friendly Community program as a roadmap for improvement.
What do you know now that you wish you knew before you started to ride frequently?
Most trips that we make are pretty short and easy to do on a bike. Honestly, my nine-mile commutes, which are the biggest trips of my week, take about 35 minutes and I feel great when I get there.
What do you typically wear to ride?
For my work commute, I usually wear shorts and a tee shirt (add a couple layers and wind pants/jacket in the colder months) and change when I get there.
For most other trips I wear what I am going to want to be in when I get there.
Thanks, Bill!
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
The Minnesota winter can’t stop them: Minneapolis receives the Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community designation
The best biking cities of the East race toward Gold: Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. all receive Silver-level designations
The League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designations today to kick off May as National Bike Month. This was one of the strongest groups of applicants we’ve seen with a lot of solid projects and programs from communities all across the country – from 1,200 people in Sisters, Ore. to more than 8 million in New York City. Twenty-one communities received awards, out of 45 new applicants. Minneapolis, Minn. earned a gold-level award, the highest award of this round. “We are thrilled to see Minneapolis reach a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community designation,” said Bill Nesper, director of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America Program. “The city’s great investments in bike lanes, bicycling safety education, and encouragement programs have paid off for its residents. In fact, communities across the country are now looking at Minneapolis as a model.”
Under the leadership of Mayor R.T. Rybak, Minneapolis was first designated as silver-level BFC in May 2008. “We’ve made a deliberate effort to be one of the nation’s top bicycling cities, and those investments mean we have more and more ways for people to commute and experience the city on two wheels,” said Mayor Rybak. Thanks to the city’s efforts, Minneapolis has doubled its number of bicycle commuters over the last nine years, placing it behind only Portland, Ore. among the largest cities in the U.S.-no small feat for a city with a notoriously harsh winter.
East Coast Cities Earn Silver Designations and Race to Gold
To date the Eastern United states has had very few silver-level Bicycle Friendly Communities and no gold-level BFCs. That’s beginning to change. Today, the League of American Bicyclists gave Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. silver- BFC designations. The cities are now competing to be the first to earn gold.
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
In a video response to questions from Twitter, Facebook, and his blog, the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, reminds us that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
The League has been working to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and support state laws to outlaw it. See our Advocacy Advance report on Distracted Driving. While the League focuses every day on cyclist education, distracted driving campaigns are important because they put the onus on drivers to do the right thing in keeping themselves and all road users safe. In that spirit, this month we are sending a mailing to ask members to support our work to do even more to stand up for cyclists and make motorists accountable.
The Bicycle Friendly State program evaluates motorist education programs and allows us to share best practices, create model driving test questions, and provide solid information to DMVs and driving instructors. We will continue to work with the Department of Transportation as well as pedestrian and motorcyclist groups and participate in the Decade of Action on Road Safety, which is being launched during Bike Month — and, of course, we will continue to spread the word about Distracted Driving. This story from Minnesota shows that distracted driving is still a major problem for cyclists.
We are telling motorists that sharing the road is a two-way street.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Would you like to see your face on the League’s staff page? Apply for one of these exciting jobs at the League of American Bicyclists.
Education director:
The League of American Bicyclists is looking for an Education Director to lead and manage our national certification and education program and coordinate a nationwide network of volunteer instructors and trainers. This position will need to transition current curricula to on-line delivery of classroom materials. We are looking for an enthusiastic program manager with strong technology and communication skills.
Send cover letter and resume to: elizabeth@bikeleague.org.
Bicycle Friendly America Program Specialist:
The League of American Bicyclists is hiring a Bicycle Friendly America program specialist to serve as primary contact with applicants, answer technical and detailed queries, and produce written reports and presentations. The specialist will also assist in developing BFA educational and outreach events, review BFA applications, contribute to listserves and publications on behalf of the BFA program, and participate in the creation and development of new BFA designations. Minimum of two years experience in either bicycle planning/engineering and/or advocacy required.
The League of American Bicyclists is seeking a Bicycle Friendly America Communications Manager to lead program-based media and public relations, magazine and web publishing, and brand management. This position will need to have strong writing skills, experience with Web publishing software (preferably Expression Engine), and excellent time management skills. The BFA communications manager will assist in all aspects of social media and Web site presentation of the Bicycle Friendly America program. Familiarity with video production a plus.
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Late yesterday the Georgia state legislature approved HB 101 which requires a minimum safe passing distance of 3 feet when overtaking cyclists. Congratulations and thanks to Georgia Bikes!, Representatives McKillip and Holt, Senator Albers and all Georgia cyclists who contacted the state legislature.
Originally introduced as HB 180, which failed to pass the Georgia House of Representatives, the 3 foot safe passing language was a late amendment to HB 101 the “Better Bicycling Bill”. In addition to the safe passing language, HB101 also cleans up Georgia state code in regard to bicycling by legalizing the use of recumbent bicycles, further defining bike lanes and updated equipment requirements.
Peel joined the League in March 2008 as a Program Specialist for the Bicycle Friendly Communities program. Peel has a BA in American Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Having passed through both the New Mexico Senate and House, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez now has twenty days to sign SB 124 in order to make this bill into law. This would be the first statewide 5 foot Safe Passing law in the nation.
SB 124 clarifies to motorists what a safe passing distance is, provides a safe operating space for cyclists across the state and creates another tool for law enforcement when responding to aggressive drivers and crashes; as well as an opportunity to educate motorists and cyclists on how to share the road safely.
Cyclists in New Mexico should contact Governor Martinez through our Advocacy Center and urge her to sign SB 124 into law.
Jeff Peel State and Local Advocacy Coordinator
Peel joined the League in March 2008 as a Program Specialist for the Bicycle Friendly Communities program. Peel has a BA in American Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi.
But what if you could use your love of bicycling to guide your choices and possibly lead you to bracketological glory? Well, that’s where the official 2011 Bicycle Friendly America Bracket Guide comes in. Thanks to our new Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) Program, we can tell you which schools are champions of bicycle-friendliness.
The first ever Bicycle Friendly Universities were announced last week at the National Bike Summit. Five of the 20 Bicycle Friendly Universities made it to the tournament, along with four campuses that received an Honorable Mention. To make sure we had representation from each region on the bracket, for tie-breakers, and to make things more interesting, we also consider Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) status and whether the campus is a Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFB).
We put all this data into our computers – we have a room full of statisticians on hand just for this purpose – and arrived at the dead-on, can’t miss, sure thing Bicycle Friendly Final Four.
Before we show you the results, let’s see how BFU’s are distributed across the bracket’s regions. All predictions are based solely on bicycle-friendliness. We’ll leave basketball predictions to ESPN. Note that Bicycle Friendly University status is favored over Business and Community recognition in our predictions.
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Caron Butler first hit the bike scene five years ago with his 3D Bike Brigade. Since then, his organization has provided more than 3,000 bikes for underprivileged children. “The Bike Brigade which I created in 2005, is a program that is all about getting kids on bikes, and keeping them active, healthy and most importantly out of trouble,“ said NBA All-Star Butler.
Butler, looking to expand the reach of his program, partnered with the League this year and participated in our June ride down the, then newly installed, bike lanes on D.C.’s Pennsylvania Ave. The League’s mission to create a bicycle-friendly America through advocacy and education clicked with Butler’s dreams of a country where all of our children get to enjoy the freedom and fun of riding a bicycle. The Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik André Henrik Christian, the Ambassador of Denmark Friis Arne Petersen, and Chairmen Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Tom Petri (R-WI) also joined the ride.
Butler on the June 7 ride down Pennsylvania Ave.'s bike lane
The League and Butler’s partnership, along with the royal ride, gave the Brigade a national platform. Now, six months later, Butler has teamed with President Obama’s Million PALA Challenge — Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (reported in USA Today). The PALA will be given to youth who complete 60 minutes of physical activity a day, at least five days a week, for six weeks and log their activity online at PresidentsChallenge.org.
“I am excited to use … (the Bike Brigade) … to promote the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. Together, we will be able to reach even more kids with the powerful message of leading healthy lifestyles and staying fit through cycling and regular activity,” said Butler.
The League is extremely proud of Butler’s initiative and commitment to get more children on bicycles. We look forward to future efforts.
Meghan Cahill League Director of Communications
Cahill joined the League in December 2008 and has a BA in Media Communications with a concentration in Italian Studies from the College of Charleston.
The Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) program joins the existing Bicycle Friendly Community, Business and State programs as the League’s newest Bicycle Friendly America addition. Officially launched at the Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike conference in September, the BFU program promotes active and sustainable colleges and universities. The college campus is an ideal setting for bicycling and a natural fit for reaching institutional sustainability, health and livability goals. This program will guide schools to becoming more bicycle-friendly and award those with strong bike programs and infrastructure.
We encourage applicants to refer to the BFU resources page for technical assistance as you fill out the application and the Bicycle Friendly University webpage for more information on the program. The first deadline for the program is January 21, 2011 and the second deadline of the year is July 22, 2011. For any further questions or help getting started, contact the League at BFA@bikeleague.org or 202-822-1333.
Carly Sieff League Bicycle Friendly America Program Assistant
Sieff joined the League in April 2010 with a Bachelors in Urban Studies and Science & Society from Brown University.
Just last week I was treated to a bike tour from the city’s Acting Bicycle Program Coordinator Hayes Lord. Though I’m a frequent visitor of the city, and there seems to be new pathway or separated lane each time I go. On this particular tour, Hayes showed me the 1st and 2nd Avenue separated lanes that were still being installed as we rode by. There is no doubting the impact these types of facilities are having in drawing out new cyclists. That draw is part of the reason for new political support in addressing safety and throughout the city.
While the separated facilities in Manhattan often receive the most attention, NYC DOT has been busy installing and mapping a variety of infrastructure treatments. Using all the tools in their toolbox they’ve helped make it possible to safely bike in all 5 boroughs via low trafficked streets, a system of sharrows and routes, access across bridges, cycletracks, and other separated facilities as well as standard bike lanes. Clarence Eckerson Jr. of Street Films has a great new video showing how his commute uses a mixture of these facilities and how they work.
How does this compare to your commute where you live? Are there examples in the video that could translate into your community?
Jeff Peel State and Local Advocacy Coordinator
Peel joined the League in March 2008 as a Program Specialist for the Bicycle Friendly Communities program. Peel has a BA in American Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi.
The League of American Bicyclists is announcing 63 new Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFB) and eight renewing BFBs today, September 23 at Interbike in Las Vegas during the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Industry Breakfast in the Sands Expo Rooms 106‐107. This round of awards was especially noteworthy because of the number of awardees and because “we’re seeing a growing relationship between Bicycle Friendly Communities and BFBs,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League. “Typically what is good for businesses is good for communities, in terms of bicycling.” We are proud to award three local governments the BFB designation – Bloomington City Hall, Ind.; Arlington County Government, Va.; and the City of Fayetteville, Ark.
There was a 45 percent increase in applications this cycle from the last BFB cycle. “Businesses across the country, from hospitals to telecommunications firms, are using the BFB program to measure their bicycle friendliness and to get the tools they need to better promote bicycling,” said Bill Nesper, Director of the Bicycle Friendly America program. “The BFB program has inspired companies to use bicycling as a simple way to improve worker health and satisfaction while promoting sustainability and social responsibility.” Currently, there are 196 awardees in 31 states that span a wide range of industries.
This is the fifth BFB announcement since the program’s inception in 2008 when the League announced the first 13 designees. BFB recipients promote bicycling into their business culture and give employees and customers the opportunity to be active stewards of their personal and environmental health through bicycling.
“BFBs are innovative businesses that demonstrate their commitment to encouraging healthy lifestyles, creating more affordable transportation, and leading the way in sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship,” said Andy Clarke, League President.
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
The League is proud to be a Gold Level sponsor of this year’s Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference taking place September 13-17. Bronze Level BFC Chattanooga, TN will be hosting the biennial conference. Along with sharing information on the League’s programs to participants from our booth, we’ll be taking part in several plenaries, panel discussions and workshops on connecting offroad riding opportunities to traditional bicycle networks, creating bicycle friendly work places, Bicycle Friendly Communities, state DOT bicycle programs, distracted driving and federal transportation policy. You can see the full list of program items here.
Though the conference is quickly approaching, it’s not too late to sign up. As added incentive, all panel presentations are now qualified for AICP continuing education credit. This not only speaks to the importance and timing of our work in the planning field, but offers added incentive for your community’s planning staff to participate.
Jeff Peel State and Local Advocacy Coordinator
Peel joined the League in March 2008 as a Program Specialist for the Bicycle Friendly Communities program. Peel has a BA in American Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Portland is justifiably one of only three platinum level Bicycle Friendly Communities we’ve designated in the United States; they are rightly proud of that designation and thankfully not at all inclined to rest on their laurels. That’s a good thing, because there are some big cities snapping at their heels ready to take away their crown. Minneapolis actually has equally high levels of bike use; New York City has been transformed for cycling in the past two years; Seattle is always looking to outdo their neighbors to the south! But, perhaps the biggest threat comes from San Francisco…because after four years on an enforced hold, the city is about to implement an ambitious bike plan faster than you can imagine.
Last week, an injunction was lifted on the city that had prevented any engineering improvements for cycling on city streets. I wont go into the gory details of the folly of the injunction and the irony of the reasons for it even being granted – its more important now to focus on the tremendous opportunity we all now have to see a big US city really go to town on improving conditions for cyclists. It’s actually going to provide a really interesting case study, just as it has for the past few years when education and encouragement had to take center stage and did a fantastic job of getting more people riding in the city even without any new infrastructure.
San Francisco can now show us how to become a truly bike-friendly community in less than the 40 years it took Copenhagen to be so transformed; in less than the 20 years it took Portland to reach the dizzy heights of platinum and the moniker as America’s best biking city. This is going to be fun to watch. The momentum for cycling in San Francisco is going to shift dramatically; they are going to be able to use more innovative designs and do more experimentation that will help move every U.S. city forward in the future.
Its going to be a great ride and a great thing to see happen. Watch out Portland!
Andy Clarke League President
Clarke was appointed to the position of Executive Director in April of 2004 after successfully leading efforts to create, interpret and implement the various transportation programs that are available to improve conditions for bicycling and walking as the League’s State and Local Advocacy Director.
Last Friday marked the summer deadline for Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) and Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) applications. These programs are a part of our Bicycle Friendly America program, which also includes Bicycle Friendly States and, coming soon, Bicycle Friendly Colleges and Universities. The BFC and BFB programs have grown successfully since 2003 and 2008, respectively. Check out our our Bicycle Friendly America site and map to see profiles of the communities and businesses that currently hold the designation.
This round, with 52 communities and 105 businesses applying, marks a record in the number of applicants in both program!
Bicycle Friendly Community
The two rounds in 2010 have seen a 25 percent increase in applicant communities from the two rounds in 2009. This growth represents a broader range of cities and towns that are realizing the value of being bicycle friendly and making changes in this direction. These communities are located in states including: Mississippi, Maryland, New Mexico, New Jersey, Tennessee and Texas. The range in populations spans from less than 2,000 to more than 800,000. This impressive array of communities both big and small, east coast and west coast, rural and urban have uniquely incorporated bicycle infrastructure, educational programs, and bicycle master plans.
Bicycle Friendly Business
There was a 50 percent increase in applications this round as compared to the Winter 2010 term. This pool of businesses and organizations reached far beyond the bicycle industry to include medical centers, software companies, federal government agencies, city governments, commercial real estate firms, pharmaceuticals, food services and architectural firms. Employers across the country are installing bike racks and showers, organizing company rides and offering bike commuting compensation to their employees– whether doctor, construction worker, engineer or waiter.
We look forward to reviewing these applications and seeing some of the innovative ways that bikes are being incorporated into America’s communities and businesses. Check back in the fall for the announcement of award winners.
Carly Sieff League Bicycle Friendly America Program Assistant
Sieff joined the League in April 2010 with a Bachelors in Urban Studies and Science & Society from Brown University.
The League, along with its partners in the America Bikes Coalition, would like to thank Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Lieberman (I-CT) on the introduction of the American Power Act. We are excited that they have included policy necessary to lay the foundation to make significant advances in addressing the impact of transportation on our climate, energy dependence and mobility. Riding bikes means cleaner air, and the more infrastructure available for bicyclists – the more people will ride!
We support the policy reforms included in the bill because they direct states and regions to spend federal transportation dollars received from the climate bill to build sustainable transportation solutions. The three avenues for funding – Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants, (see how Tiger Grants fund bicycling ) the Transportation Efficiency grants, and the Highway Trust Fund with a green screen – give state and local governments several options to invest in low- and no-carbon transportation.
Once again, we thank you for your leadership on the American Power Act and the important policy
gains toward sustainable transportation. We urge you to increase the revenue returning to the
transportation sector, and index that investment to the price of carbon. Click here to read more.
Meghan Cahill League Director of Communications
Cahill joined the League in December 2008 and has a BA in Media Communications with a concentration in Italian Studies from the College of Charleston.
Bike to Work Week begins this Monday, May 17 and carries through to Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 21. Are you ready to ride and encourage others to do the same? “National Bike Month is the country’s opportunity to ride the momentum of Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood’s support,” said League President Andy Clarke. “Show the nation that bike commuting can and will positively affect your community.”
If this is your first time riding to work, no problem! We have several tips on our web Site, Google Maps has bicycling directions (even mobile ones), and there are events for you to participate in around the country. You’ll quickly discover that biking to work is fun and a great way to clear your head to and from work – in addition to trimming your waistline, saving money on gas and lessening your carbon footprint. Who knows? You might even get to work faster with biking than you ever did by train or car. Check out NBC’s Today Show’s experiment to see which way is quicker in New York City.
Happy Bike to Work Week!
Meghan Cahill League Director of Communications
Cahill joined the League in December 2008 and has a BA in Media Communications with a concentration in Italian Studies from the College of Charleston.
The League of American Bicyclists is proud to announce 16 new Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC), five renewing BFCs and 19 Honorable Mentions. As we have seen in the last few cycles, the majority of the new BFCs are in the East and Midwest – three quarters of the awarded communities are east of the Mississippi River. Additionally, two new states now have designated BFCs: Newark, Del. and Simsbury, Conn. “Communities from all areas of the country, climates and populations see bicycling as an integral component of building livable communities. The Bicycle Friendly Community program is recognizing those leading the way,” said Andy Clarke, League President.
The explosive growth of the BFC Program demonstrates how communities across the country see the importance of promoting bicycling to improve public health, improve quality of life, protect the environment and provide better transportation choices. Exciting work is being done to improve conditions for cycling countrywide, and the growth in the quality of bicycling efforts can be seen in the number of Honorable Mentions given out this round. “We are excited to see the level of interest and quality of programs. We look forward to partnering with these communities to improve conditions for cycling,” said Bill Nesper, Director of the Bicycle Friendly America program. “We want these communities to move up the ranks of the program, and our staff is dedicated to providing assistance to awarded and aspiring Bicycle Friendly Communities.” Every community that applies receives a bicycle-friendly roadmap, feedback on how to improve conditions for cycling. The roadmap is working. This round saw several communities returning after implementing previous feedback with good results. Rochester, Minn. moved from an Honorable Mention received in 2006 to a Bronze-level BFC, and two communities Salt Lake City, Utah and Flagstaff, Ariz. moved up from Bronze to Silver.
Under the leadership of Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, a regular cyclist, the city has moved from their 2007 Bronze designation to Silver. “We have seen notable results of Salt Lake City’s commitment to increasing bikeways and creating solutions for alternative modes of transportation,” said Becker. They have used the program and now Salt Lake City has a comprehensive approach to accommodating and welcoming cyclists, and the city’s percentage of bicycle commuters continues to grow – 4 times the national average.
Flagstaff, Ariz. also moved up from their 2006 Bronze designation to Silver. The community is known for its commitment to investing in cycling and encouragement efforts, such as the citywide commuter challenge, the world-class Flagstaff Urban Trails System and 200 miles of singletrack.
The BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress and work toward improving their bicycle-friendliness. The application process to become a BFC is rigorous; currently only 140 of the 359 total applicants have a BFC four-year designation. The renewal process and four levels of the award – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve. The new and expanded BFC program began at the League in 1995, and in the past 15 years it has evolved into the tool it is today – evaluating, recognizing and improving cities, states and businesses.
The Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, and Bicycle Friendly Business programs are generously supported by program partners Bikes Belong and Trek Bicycle’s One World, Two Wheels Campaign. To learn more, visit bicyclefriendlycommunity.org.
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