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91 Places Earned Bicycle Friendly Community Awards in 2024
At a time when many are looking for ways to strengthen their communities, local investments in better bicycling offer a path forward. Today, the League of American Bicyclists is proud to recognize 91 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFCs), along with eight honorable mentions, celebrating local efforts to make biking safer and more accessible for millions of Americans. From major metropolitan areas like Phoenix, AZ (population 1.6M), to small rural towns like Frazee, MN (population 1,316), this round demonstrates how prioritizing bicycling can create healthier, more vibrant communities in any size or setting.
“Bicycling is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s a powerful tool for building healthier communities, fostering sustainability, and connecting people,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The cities, regions, and towns recognized in this round of Bicycle Friendly Community awards are leading the way by investing in infrastructure and programs that make biking an easier, safer, and more accessible choice. Their leadership demonstrates that supporting bicycling is an investment in a healthier future for everyone.”
When municipalities apply for an award from the Bicycle Friendly Community program, they fill out an extensive application which requires collaboration across city agencies and with local advocates and other partners. Based on the communities’ responses, the League determines if they deserve recognition and at which award level. Critically, a report card with feedback from the League’s expert reviewers offers next steps that each applicant community can take to improve how well they support people who bike in the future.
Leadership at both the state and local levels is pivotal in shaping if and how communities prioritize better bicycling. This round highlights the impact of that leadership, particularly in Washington state, the League’s #1 Bicycle Friendly State, which boasts seven new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Communities. Washington’s commitment to spreading the joy of bicycling has stood the test of time — for example, newly upgraded Silver-level BFC Anacortes has operated a free bikeshare program at its ferry port since 1997 and continues to promote cycling safety and fitness for all ages and abilities. Access to comprehensive bike education is a key contributing factor to Washington’s success as the top-ranking Bicycle Friendly State, and our feedback for several Bicycle Friendly Communities encourages them to take advantage of Cascade Bicycle Club’s incredible statewide cycling education program, if they aren’t already.
Washington’s leadership is inspiring progress (or perhaps healthy competition) in neighboring states as well. In Oregon, Eugene submitted an exceptionally strong renewal application, reaffirming its status as a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community. In Idaho, the capital city of Boise has set an example with a standout application highlighting the city’s ongoing efforts to improve bicycling for all. This year, Boise and surrounding Ada County both applied for higher award levels and both successfully earned Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community status, demonstrating their shared commitment to creating safer, more accessible streets. Their efforts are strengthened by local partnerships with local groups such as Boise State University, a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly University; the Boise Bicycle Project, a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business; as well as public health agencies and many other partners, aligning transportation planning with broader community well-being goals.
Case Study: Looking Ahead to Platinum
Boise’s approach prioritizes safety, accessibility, and inclusive mobility. Both Boise and Ada County have adopted Vision Zero commitments and the Ada County Highway District (ACHD)’s Livable Streets Performance Measures ensure bike infrastructure is designed for people of all ages and abilities. The city’s Adaptive Recreation Program and Safe Routes to School initiatives expand cycling access, while Boise’s efforts to reduce speed limits have resulted in 76.81% of the city’s roads (over 1,100 miles) being set to 20 MPH or less.
Community input via our public survey plays a crucial role in the BFC evaluation process, helping to shape recommendations for future improvements. In addition to their feedback report card, all applicants receive a full report of their public survey results and this local input also informs the recommendations provided to each community on the League’s BFC report card. One highlight from Boise’s BFC public survey is a rising demand for improved maintenance practices on bike facilities, emphasizing the need not just to build infrastructure but to keep it safe and accessible year-round. With a growing network of low-speed streets, protected bike lanes, and a vibrant car-free downtown corridor, Boise’s new Gold-level status sets a strong example for active transportation in the Mountain West — and with improved maintenance practices, a Platinum BFC award could be on the horizon.
Along with Boise, this round features six other state capitals celebrating BFC status including renewing Bronze-level Nashville, Tennessee; newly Bronze-level Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Honolulu, Hawaii, which moved up to Silver-level status in this round after holding Bronze since 2014. Many of these communities show a commitment to improving active transportation as a way to make their residents happier, healthier, and better connected. In renewing Bronze-level Topeka, Kansas, “Ridership has visibly increased as a result of increased infrastructure and community investment in the active transportation culture.” Local leaders have forged local partnerships to pursue multi-modal transportation grants on behalf of the city and county, resulting in 28 new miles of on-street bike lanes and side paths being added to Topeka’s bikeways network since 2020.
Of the 91 communities being recognized in this announcement, 16 communities are moving up in award levels, 67 are renewing at the same level, and eight first-time applicants have earned Bronze on their first application. After all award status expirations and additions, there are now 460 recognized Bicycle Friendly Communities nationwide, with 76 million people living in a current BFC. From bustling cities to quiet countryside towns, these communities are leading the way in showing that investments in bicycling not only improve infrastructure but also the quality of life for everyone. As places across the nation step up to prioritize active transportation, the momentum for safer, more accessible biking at the local level continues to grow stronger.
To explore all the communities recognized in this round, see the full list of current and past Bicycle Friendly Communities here. Any community that would like to join, return to, or stay on the BFC list, can start their new or renewal application and submit by June 25, 2025 to be reviewed in the next round.
About the Bicycle Friendly Community℠ Program
Bicycle Friendly Community awards reflect local leaders’ ongoing work to build better places to bike and evaluate those efforts as part of a national movement. Each of the five levels of the Bicycle Friendly University award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, plus an honorable mention category – provide a clear path for cities and towns to continuously improve. Visit bikeleague.org/community to learn more about the BFC program.
About the League Of American Bicyclists
Since 1880, the League of American Bicyclists has been people-powered, with a goal to make bicycling safer and easier as a means of transportation and recreation. Today, the League continues to improve lives and strengthen communities through bicycling. We are more than 200,000 members and supporters strong with more than 1,000 state and local advocacy groups and bike clubs as well as thousands of businesses, universities, and communities together leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.