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Eleven New Bicycle Friendly Communities Designated: City Leaders Invest in Bicycle‐friendly Future
The League of American Bicyclists announces a new round of Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designations that includes 11 new and 14 renewing communities today at the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, Nev. “The League congratulates all of our BFC winners for implementing successful, long‐term bicycle plans and programs that provide quality of life improvements for their citizens,” said League President Andy Clarke. “Cities are choosing investment in bicycling, even in tough economic times, as a key to building the places people want to live, work and visit.” There are now 190 BFCs in 46 states.
“We are proud of the roadmap that the Bicycle Friendly Community program provides for communities to build strong BFCs,” said Bill Nesper, Director of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program. “We are especially pleased to see so many communities improving their award level.” New Orleans, La. has seen its number of bike commuters increase by more than 150% in the last five years. The city, which had received Honorable Mentions in three previous rounds, implemented the feedback we provided and received the bronze designation this time. New Orleans was recognized for their large biking population, bicycling education programs, a bicycling network that has tripled in length in the last three years and the strong bike culture seen in events like the NOLA Bike Bash.
In addition to the high percentage of new BFCs that had previously received no award or an Honorable Mention, more than half of the renewing BFCs moved to a higher award level including Breckenridge, Colo.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Steamboat Springs, Colo. and La Crosse, Wis.
See all of the awardees after the jump:
2011 Fall Bicycle Friendly Community Winners
11 communities are awarded the BFC designation for the first time:
Bronze level
- Conway, Ark.
- Goshen, Ind.
- New Orleans, La.
- Omaha, Neb.
- Reno‐Sparks Washoe County, Nev.
- Saint Paul, Minn.
- Santa Fe, N.M.
- Sheboygan, Wis.
- Shorewood, Wis.
- The Woodlands, Texas
- West Windsor, N.J.
14 communities successfully renewed their designation and seven moved up to higher designations*
Platinum
- Davis, Calif.
Gold
- Breckenridge, Colo.*
- Corvallis, Ore.
- Palo Alto, Calif.
- Steamboat Spring, Colo.*
- Scottsdale, Ariz.*
Silver
- Arlington, Va.
- Burlington, Vt.*
- La Crosse, Wis.*
- Redmond, Wash.*
- Sacramento, Calif.*
- San Luis Obispo, Calif.
- Tempe, Ariz.
Bronze
- Chattanooga, Tenn.
About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
The BFC award recognizes a community’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro‐bicycling policies. The BFC program is revolutionizing the 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 to become a BFC is rigorous and an educational tool in itself; currently there are 190 of the 490 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.
To date, the League of American Bicyclists has received 490 applications and designated 190 Bicycle Friendly Communities in 46 states. The BFC program recognizes communities that promote bicycling and provides technical assistance in the form of a roadmap to help cities build great communities for bicycling. The League has identified projects, policies, programs and plans that most effectively improve cycling conditions and make up the foundation of a bicycle‐friendly community. All of these bicycle‐friendly elements are clearly described in the League’s Bicycle Friendly America: The Blueprint. Communities are using these building blocks.
Fall 2011 Honorable Mentions
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- College Station, Texas
- Conyers, Ga.
- Dubuque, Iowa
- Erie, Colo.
- Gahanna, Ohio
- Greenville, N.C.
- Hagerstown, Md.
- Lafayette, Calif.
- Leawood, Kan.
- Lee’s Summit, Mo.
- Logan, Utah
- Los Angeles, Calif.
- Memphis, Tenn.
- Miami, Fla.
- Orange County, Calif.
- Phoenix, Ariz.
- Pleasanton, Calif.
- Portland, Maine
- Rancho Cordova, Calif.
- Reston, Va.
- River Falls, Wis.
The Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs are generously supported by program partners Bikes Belong and Trek Bicycle’s One World, Two Wheels Campaign. Learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America.
The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle‐friendly America. The League represents the interests of America’s 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.