Bicycle Friendly Communities

Making cities safer for cycling

Bikes Belong is a lead sponsor of the Bicycle Friendly Community program, run by the League of American Bicyclists. This program recognizes cities that support bicycling and works to replicate their successes.

Twice each year, the League of American Bicyclists awards Bicycle Friendly Community designations to cities that have demonstrated significant work to create exemplary conditions for bicycling.

There are four levels of recognition: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. In total, 96 cities and towns currently hold Bicycle Friendly Community status, which must be renewed every four years. Only three cities—Boulder, Colorado; Davis, California; and Portland, Oregon—have received the prestigious platinum designation.

By recognizing role-model communities, the BFC program motivates other cities throughout the country to improve their bicycle facilities. The spirit of competition among city mayors inspires action nationwide and makes our cities and towns better for bicycling.

New Designations—April 2009

Silver:
Columbia, MO

Bronze:
Alexandria, VA
Naperville, IL
Cedar Falls, IA
Philadelphia, PA
Columbus, OH
Santa Monica, CA
Irvine, CA
Traverse City, MI
Lakewood,
CO Tulsa, OK
Long Beach, CA
Vail, CO

The program also includes an Honorable Mention status to recognize communities that have applied and are on their way to achieving an award in the future. The following
communities received Honorable Mention in this round:

Buffalo Grove, IL
Menlo Park, CA
Clark County, NV
Punta Gorda, FL
Decatur, GA
Savannah, GA
Greeley, CO
Wenatchee, WA

For more information on the program and how to apply for a BFC designation, visit the League of American Bicyclists website.

Bicycle Friendly State/Business Programs

In partnership with the League of American Bicyclists, Bikes Belong helped launch Bicycle Friendly State and Bicycle Friendly Business programs in 2008 to complement the Bicycle Friendly Community initiative.

The Bicycle Friendly State program initially ranked all 50 states in September 2008, using more than 50 criteria ranging from state laws to advocacy and education programs. See the rankings at bicyclefriendlystate.org. In April 2009, the League announced its inaugural round of Bicycle Friendly States. Four states have been awarded the coveted designation and two states received an honorable mention: Washington (Silver), Wisconsin (Silver), Arizona (Bronze), Minnesota (Bronze), Delaware (Honorable Mention) and Maryland (Honorable Mention).

The new Bicycle Friendly Business program offers resources and technical assistance to help businesses create the culture and facilities to promote bicycling. The program appeals to businesses’ corporate social responsibility and greening efforts. Learn more at bicyclefriendlybusiness.org.

REI/Bicycle Friendly Communities Grant Program 

For the second year in a row, REI has contributed $100,000 to the Bikes Belong Foundation for REI Bicycle Friendly Community grants. Presented at the National Bike Summit this March, the 2009 REI/BFC grants will be awarded to aspiring and designated BFCs that are using creative strategies and demonstrating success in making their communities more bicycle friendly. This is an invitation-only grant program. Read the press release.

Learn more about the REI/Bicycle Friendly Communities grants.