Three large cities join ranks of Bicycle Friendly Communities (no VT yet)

From Bicycle Times

Los Angeles, Nashville, and Miami are just three of the 28 cities that have earned the designation of Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists. Each has earned Bronze status.

The League awards Bicycle Friendly Communities at five levels (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) and with this diverse round of applicants there are now 242 BFCs in 47 states. With the guidance and expertise of the BFC program, these communities are propelling the growth in bicycling nationwide. According to recent census data, bicycle commuting grew 80 percent in the largest BFCs, but only 32 percent in non-BFC cities, from 2000 to 2011.

Thanks to significant progress over the past five years, the nation's second largest city—Los Angeles—has now attained BFC status. The strong bicycle culture in LA has grown up, thanks to countless individual cyclists and advocacy organizations like the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, the Bicycle Kitchen, and Multicultural Communities for Mobility. Validating the work of diverse stakeholders, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has supported and spurred the success of the 2010 Bicycle Master Plan, which has led to the expansion of the bicycling network and the addition of 75 miles of bikeways in 2011 alone.
In Nashville, Mayor Karl Dean has been a tireless advocate for active transportation with an emphasis on bicycling as part of his efforts to make the city healthier and more sustainable. In 2008, Mayor Dean formed the first Nashville Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Since taking office, he has invested $7 million in bike ways, along with additional investments in greenways, complete streets and other infrastructure that supports bicycling.
Miami is working to expand its bike path network, as well. A new bicycle master plan has led to on-street bike facilities, like buffered bike lanes, and a new bike parking ordinance is putting hundreds of racks across the city. Strong advocacy organizations, like the Green Mobility Network, have helped grow an array of bike culture events and 90 percent of schools offer in-class bicycle education.
Through the BFC program, the League works directly with communities to continue to improve condition for bicyclists. With the League's feedback and technical assistance BFCs have the road map to move up the ranks.

Learn more about the program and view the full list of Bicycle Friendly Communities atwww.bikeleague.org/communities.  

New Awards

Silver

• Bozeman, MT
• Evanston, IL
• Venice, FL

Bronze 

• Bemidji, MN
• Bentonville, AR
• Bethesda, MD
• Castle Rock, CO
• Decatur, GA
• Emeryville, CA
• Fitchburg, WI
• Hoboken, NJ
• Lakeland, FL
• Lee's Summit, MO
• Los Angeles, CA
• Nashville, TN
• Miami, FL
• Midland, MI
• Ocean City, NJ
• Orange County, CA
• Provo, UT
• Richmond, VA
• River Falls, WI
• Rochester, NY
• Rock Hill, SC
• Rockville, MD
• Stillwater, OK
• Westerville, OH
• Windsor, CA