DAVIS, CA (BRAIN)—The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame is moving to Davis, California—a suburb just west of Sacramento with a population of 62,000. Davis beat out 11 cities nationwide to win relocation rights from Somerville, New Jersey.
“Without a doubt, California is the best location for this nationally prominent organization,” said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “No other state embraces the cycling, fitness and environmentally responsible lifestyle like the Golden State, which is why we host the Tour of California here every year. Having the Hall of Fame here will provide a great way to educate existing and future generations to the benefits of cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle.”
Davis hosted the first stage of the Tour of California earlier this year. The Davis community also has over 100 miles of bike paths and bike lanes with vibrant downtown commercial area.
“We believe it will be a wonderful new incentive for visitors to explore the Sacramento region, which has great museums, historical sites, sophisticated arts and entertainment, as well as access to outdoor recreation such as winery hopping, horseback riding, boating, and of course, biking our scenic roads,” said Caroline Beteta, president and chief executive officer of the California Travel & Tourism Commission and the U.S. Travel Association.
Davis will integrate the Hall of Fame with the California Bicycle Museum. Davis officials are still in negotiations with several local facilities to host the site.
Dawn Wylong, president of the Hall of Fame, said that overwhelming Davis support for cycling tipped the scales. “The Davis community is passionate about bicycles, at every level, in every aspect of cycling,” Wylong said. “In Davis, the Hall of Fame will be celebrated and appreciated for what it represents.”
Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson believes that having the Hall of Fame relocate to Davis is a logical step to be recognized as the very first platinum level “Bicycle Friendly” city by the League of American Bicyclists.
"We have been a model for city planning that encourages bicycling for sustainability, clean air, transportation and fitness,” Asmundson said. “There is not another city in the U.S. where bicycling is a more important part of the community than Davis."
The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, founded in 1986, is considered the official industry Hall of Fame by the USA Cycling Association.
