WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)—The League of American Bicyclists has announced 18 new Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) and eight renewing BFCs.
This round is especially rewarding because the League is also launching their new Bicycle Friendly University program, which is modeled after the BFC program. "The most exciting thing about this round of awards was seeing communities that had implemented past feedback, improved their communities, and achieved a Bicycle Friendly Community designation," said Andy Clarke, League president.
The third time was the charm for the Charm City, Baltimore, Maryland and Knoxville, Tennessee. Both received the bronze designation after previously receiving the Honorable Mention the past two times they applied. Other communities climbing the BFC ranks this round include Bloomington, Indiana and Carrboro, North Carolina, all of which moved from Bronze to Silver designations. Denver, Colo. is another thrilling success story; they rejoined the ranks of silver communities after having been downgraded to bronze for the past five years.
In addition to announcing the latest Bicycle Friendly Communities, the League is turning its attention to colleges and universities. Colleges, because of space constraints and parking issues, often inspire students to use their bicycles as transportation. These campuses are ideal laboratories to encourage and inspire the next generation to continue biking in post-college life.
The League's Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) program, launched at Pro-Walk Pro-Bike, will recognize the way universities encourage and improve campus sustainability, connectivity, quality of life and personal health. "The program will demonstrate the many benefits of achieving aspirational levels of bicycle safety and infrastructure, while providing campuses with a roadmap to get there. It's a win/win for everyone," said Ariadne Delon Scott, bicycle program coordinator at Stanford University. The Bicycle Friendly University application and resource library is free and available at www.bikeleague.org/university. This site has the free online application, collection of best practices and offers assistance from the League team.
The League hopes the BFU program will eventually mimic the success of the BFC program. "It is great to see the bicycle-friendly bar being raised in communities across the nation," said Bill Nesper, director of the Bicycle Friendly America program. Mayors and community leaders are promoting bicycling to improve public health and quality of life while protecting the environment and provide better transportation choices. Bicycle commuting in BFCs has grown by 70 percent over the last eight years. During that same time period, the BFC program has provided hundreds of communities with personalized support and assistance. As of this round, there are 158 Bicycle Friendly Communities in 43 states (out of more than 400 applicants). Every community that applies, awarded or not, receives feedback and hands-on assistance to improve.
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. Special thanks to New Belgium Brewing Co. for a grant to develop the BFU program application.
Click on above link to see the 2010 list.
