BFA Book

BIKE PLAN BIKE SUMMIT
STRONG
NETWORK
TRAFFIC
COMPLETE
SKILLS
STREETS
SAFE
ROUTES TO
SCHOOL
POLICE
TRAINING
EQUITABLE
TREATMENT
BIKE TO WORK DAY
ADVOCACY GROUPS
BicycleFriendlyAmerica
The Blueprint
content
JAN-FEB 2011
2 The Bicycle Friendly

Community Program Grows Up
6 Bicycle Friendly Community List
8 Bicycle Friendly Business List
13 Bicycle Friendly State List
64 What Can You Do?
14 engineering 50 enforcement
16 Complete Streets 52 Strong Laws
20 Building Bicycling into 54 Targeted Enforcement
Transportation Networks
26 Including All Bicyclists
56 evaluation
28 education 58 Bike Master Plan
60 Bicycle Advisory Committee
30 Traffic Skills Training 62 Data Collection
32 Safe Routes to School & Work
34 Educationg Engineers and Planners
36 encouragement The articles in this magazine were

written by League staff, including
Andy Clarke, Meghan Cahill, Alison
38 Bike Month Dewey, Darren Flusche, Elizabeth
40 Leading Advocate Kiker, Bill Nesper, Jeff Peel and Carly
42 Advocacy Groups Sieff. Cover illustrations by Katie
Omberg.
45 Maps, Guides & Signage
47 Game Changers
The Bicycle Friendly Community Program
T
wice a year, a small group awarded communities – we’ve now state! There are a lot of elements to
of League staff disappear reviewed more than 400 aspirants being “bicyclist-friendly” and every
into a conference room and recognized 158 at the bronze or one of the questions in our detailed
armed with a stack of higher level – and equally obviously application forms is there for a reason
community applications, and a pile the program has expanded to cover – and yet we know, after reviewing
of comments from cycling leaders states, business and universities in ad- literally hundreds of applications
in those communities. They spend dition to local communities. We have from small two-person businesses
several hours on the phone with more staff and resources to manage to the great city of New York, that
other national cycling experts and the program thanks to the ongoing there are some clear projects, policies,
emerge with a list of cities and coun- support of Trek and Bikes Belong; the programs and plans that really seem
ties that have made the coveted list Bicycle Friendly Business program to make a difference; that make up
of “bicycle-friendly communities”… alone is growing exponentially now the foundation and building blocks of
and those that haven’t quite made the that it has dedicated staff. We have bicycle friendliness.
grade this time around. even been able to export the BFC What gives us this confidence? As
True, there are no puffs of white program to Ontario – and hope that the program has unfolded since 2003,
smoke emanating from the room before long we will see all of Canada we have seen the Bicycle Friendly
when the decisions are made. But as involved. America program:
we enter the ninth year of the pro- In the pages that follow, you’ll see • Set standards for what constitutes
gram, we are acutely aware of the that as the program has grown up, so a real cycling culture and envi-
seriousness with which communities our confidence has also grown – we ronment
take the whole process, and of our now think we can identify the DNA
responsibility to keep the program of a bicycle friendly community, busi-
standards high, maintain consistency, ness, university and even an entire
and provide meaningful feedback
once the decisions have been made.
The Bicycle Friendly America
program has really grown up. Ob-
viously the program has grown in
terms of numbers of applicants and
2001 2005
2 AmericanBicyclist | BicycleFriendlyAmerica
• Affect decisions on how commu- how we compare to communities ment and evaluation; we raised the
nities and businesses grow and businesses in other countries bar pretty dramatically.
• Inspire action and involvement The new program and higher
among people that want to im- Setting Standards standard worked – there were very
prove conditions for bicyclists In 2003, with the guidance of a few complaints, even from those
• Guide progress by acting as a national advisory group of experts, existing communities that tried and
roadmap for what communities, we revamped and significantly ex- failed to make the new standard.
businesses and states should do panded the Bicycle Friendly Com- Over the years, we have had to down-
next munity program. We had to go back grade communities and take them off
• Reward persistence as people to almost 60 communities that had the list and we have frequently given
respond to feedback, make been designated under the old – and designations well below the expec-
changes, and come back again much simpler – program and explain tations of those applying. We have
and again to get recognition that many of them wouldn’t make the improved the questions and refined
• Raise expectations as to what grade under the new program. We the review process, but have kept
really is expected and involved in went from four “yes/no” questions essentially the same system in place
becoming bicycle-friendly ... and to more than 70 detailed questions because it makes sense and is setting
across the breadth of engineering, meaningful standards.
encouragement, education, enforce-
Affecting Decisions
In that first round, the City of
Palo Alto provided early proof that
the program did indeed have the
potential to influence important
political and financial decisions in
communities. During presentation
of the Gold award to City Council,
one of the members expressed shock
that their pioneering bicycle-friendly
2011 what’s next?
AmericanBicyclist | BicycleFriendlyAmerica 3
John Burke, Trek, presents Jim Oberstar, former House member, with a
map commemorating the Bicycle Friendly America campaign.
Baltimore, MD BFC Ceremony

community was not getting the task force – and subsequent appli-
highest, platinum, level of recogni- cations – included the city, county,
tion. Later in that same meeting, as three neighboring communities, two
they considered a major investment Native American nations, the re-
in a bike/pedestrian underpass to gional planning agency and the state Guiding Progress
complete a key connection in their Department of Transportation. Two The big gas price hikes of 2008
bikeway system several of the mem- years of intense work was rewarded changed things for the BFA pro-
bers said “if we are ever going to be with a move to a gold designation grams. All of a sudden, community
platinum this is what we need to be – definite progress! After two more leaders and business owners stopped
doing.” That $5 million project is now years of hard work, some local ad- asking “why” they should do more
open ... although the city still hasn’t vocates were clearly dispirited to see for bicyclists and started asking
quite made platinum! the designation remain at Gold but “what” they should be doing. They
the reality is that a leap from silver to discovered that the League’s pro-
Inspiring Action platinum is a big one. A lot needs to grams provide a roadmap for what
The last thing we want is for happen, especially in a region with they should be doing. Years before
applicants to consider their bicycle- a relatively high number of cyclist the city of Louisville, Ky. had come to
friendly designation as a reason to fatalities every year. this realization and wrote their first
say “great, now we don’t have to do The Tucson region took a hard
anything for bicyclists any more ...” look at traffic safety issues and is now
The evaluation section of the applica- a pioneer in promoting education
tion is forward-looking, seeking to and enforcement programs to key
ensure that the plans, funding and audiences. Engaging the law enforce- NEXT STEPS
programs are in place to continue ment community remains the weak- This coming year, as we make
improvements for bicyclists. We est element of the entire program, so the first announcement of Bicycle
require communities to renew their the lessons learned in Tucson will be Friendly Universities and see the
application at least every four years of immense benefit to the country. BFC program expand into Canada,
and submit an annual progress report Inspiration manifests itself in we are confident that we’ve got a
or update. many ways. The Bicycle Friendly well-tested, effective program that
We try to strike a balance be- State program, for example, has gen- helps communities, states, busi-
tween motivation and discourage- erated a healthy competition between nesses and universities become
ment when applicants don’t get Delaware and New Jersey for a spot more bike-friendly.
the award they think they deserve. in the top ten. Recently, this inspired We have no shortage of pro-
Tucson, Ariz. applied in 2004 and both states to pass complete streets posed bicycle-friendly somethings
got a well-deserved silver designa- policies and identify specific actions – schools, national parks, Federal
tion. Within five days, however, this they need to take to get ahead of the lands, transit systems/agencies – to
spurred local cyclists into creating a other. tackle next, but at least in the im-
“Platinum in ’06” task force, co- mediate future our focus will be on:
chaired by the Mayor of Tucson and
his counterpart at the county. The
Rewarding Persistence Raising Expectations
One of the unique features of the You would expect to see plenty
BFA program is that every applicant written about places like Portland,
gets feedback on their application. Davis and Boulder (our three plati-
During the review process, we seek num communities) and companies in
Bike Parking, Chicago, Ill. input from local cycling leaders (club the bike industry that are great em-
president, bike shop owner, League ployers and improve their commu-
Cycling Instructor) and weave their nity for biking – they continue to set
bicycle plan around a timetable of comments into suggestions and next the standard for all of us. Beyond the
achieving bronze through gold levels steps. While this isn’t an audit or a technical aspects of their programs,
of the BFC program – they got to detailed plan, and while we are con- however, they have helped improve
bronze a year ahead of schedule and stantly trying to improve the advice the BFA programs quite profoundly.
are almost ready to progress to silver. we provide, people find it helpful and Criticism of both Portland and
At the entry level, the BFA want to know specifically what they Boulder’s opportunities for single
programs offer simple checklists and need to do to get to the next level – or track riding, for example, exposed a
technical resources to get future- to any level at all. glaring lack of mountain bike-related
applicants started. We have a series The city of Carmel, Ind., north questions in our applications and
of training workshops and presenta- of Indianapolis, tried more than seriously challenged their status as
tions on our programs and provide once before they received a bronze platinum communities. Davis, Calif.
case studies and tools. The applica- designation. Each time we gave them has very high levels of bike use by
tion forms, themselves, are packed feedback, they implemented things: U.S. standards but for many years did
with links to practical resources a community bike ride, a safe routes little but watch as those levels fell and
and examples. At the top end of the to school program, a League Cycling the community changed. They are
program, even the best communities Instructor training course, on-road now aware that platinum isn’t a given,
and businesses are learning from each connections to their primary trail, even for a city that has a bike as their
other – sharing their applications and bike parking, and even passed a bond logo. And we know that none of these
best practices. issue for more trails. U.S. cities can yet compare to Dutch
or Danish cycling communities.
• Ensuring the existing programs cost-effective, popular, impact- things that we now know make the
are having maximum impact ful and beneficial investments in biggest difference in getting people
• Presenting the data we collect people and communities in these to ride, ride more, and ride safely. It’s
for the Bicycle Friendly States tough economic times. not rocket science – we just need to
program to better reflect changes get out there and say it more often
and progress within a state – Above all, we will be focused on and more effectively. This issue of
rather than only comparing states encouraging communities, business- American Bicyclist will help us do that.
against one another es, states and universities to do the
• Focusing the business program
on non-bike industry companies,
and more effectively showcasing
the business case for getting more
people on bikes
• Positioning the BFA programs as
a resource for making the most
Bicycle Friendly
Communities
B
Davis, Calif. Bike Rodeo
icycling is great for everyone involved – states, communities, businesses
and people. It promotes active lifestyles, productive citizens and em-
ployees, reduces traffic congestion and improves air quality; and most
importantly, bicycling creates fun and vibrant places to live and work. The fol-
lowing lists are of all current Bicycle Friendly Communities, Business and States
(as of February 1, 2011). We hope they will serve as recognition for the existing
members, inspiration for people just beginning the journey, and excitement
for everyone watching our progress toward a Bicycle Friendly America. For
more information on a particular community, business or state, visit www.
bikeleague.org or email bfa@bikeleague.org.
The Bicycle Friendly Community list is sorted by award level, alphabetized and
includes the city’s population. For more info visit bikeleague.org/community.
Platinum Silver Santa Barbara, CA | 87,370

Santa Cruz, CA | 54,593
Population: 200,000 – 999,000 Population: 1,000,000+
Tempe, AZ | 165,000
Portland, OR | 533,492 Chicago, IL | 2,896,01
Population: 20,000 – 49,999
Population: 50,000 – 199,999 Population: 200,000 – 999,000
Olympia, WA | 44,460
Boulder, CO | 101,500 Arlington, VA | 200,226
San Luis Obispo, CA | 44,174
Davis, CA | 63,722 Austin, TX | 681,804
Colorado Springs, CO | 360,890
Population: Up to 19,999
Denver, CO | 598,707
Gold Minneapolis, MN | 373,188
Breckenridge, CO | 3,493
Carrboro, NC | 18,162
Population: 200,000 – 999,000 Scottsdale, AZ | 221,792
Durango, CO | 15,878
San Francisco, CA | 739,426
Seattle, WA | 563,374 Population: 50,000 – 199,999
Tucson & East Pima Region, AZ | 512,023 Ann Arbor, MI | 114,028
Bellingham, WA | 73,460 UPGRADE
Population: 50,000 – 199,999
Corvallis, OR | 53,165
Bend, OR | 80,995
Bloomington, IN | 69,107
Four communities
Eugene, OR | 142,681 Columbia, MO | 102,324 bumped their BFC
Fort Collins, CO | 118,652 Flagstaff, AZ | 57,391
Madison, WI | 221,551 Folsom, CA | 63,960 designation from
Palo Alto, CA | 56,862 Gainesville, FL | 117,182 bronze to silver in
Missoula, MT | 57,053
Population: Up to 19,999 Salt Lake City, UT | 181,743 2010.
Jackson & Teton County, WY | 18,251
Stanford University, CA | 13,315
KEY: MOVED UP ! NEW BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
33

communities became
BFCs in 2010.
Population: 50,000 – 199,999 Tallahassee, FL | 176,336

Breckenridge, Colo Alexandria, VA | 140,024 Thousand Oaks, CA | 127,644
Arvada, CO | 107,050 Vancouver, WA | 156,600
Presidio of San Francisco, CA | 3,000 Auburn, AL | 52,205

Beaverton, OR | 79,350 Population: 20,000 – 49,999
Steamboat Springs, CO | 9,815
Billings, MT | 100,147 Albany, OR | 48,770 !
Wood River Valley, ID | 12,506
Boca Raton, FL | 83,960 Bainbridge Island, WA | 20,300
Bronze Carmel, IN | 70,000 Brentwood, CA | 40,007

Cary, NC | 119,745 Brunswick, ME | 21,820
Population: 1,000,000+ Chapel Hill, NC | 55,616 ! Burlington, VT | 38,889
New York, NY | 8,143,197 Charleston, SC | 124,000 ! Cedar Falls, IA | 36,145
Philadelphia, PA | 1,454,382 Chattanooga, TN | 155,554 Charlottesville, VA | 40,315
San Antonio, TX | 1,144,646 ! Chico, CA | 79,000 Claremont, CA | 36,612
Columbia, SC | 116,278 Coeur d’Alene, ID | 41,983
Population: 200,000 – 999,000 Dayton, OH | 154,200 ! Concord, NH | 43,225 !
Ada County, ID | 395,974 Fayetteville, AR | 67,158 ! Marquette, MI | 21,000 !
Albuquerque, NM | 448,607 Gilbert, AZ | 196,000 Menlo Park, CA | 30,648 !
Anchorage, AK | 284,994 Greenville, SC | 56,002 Newark, DE | 29,886 !
Baltimore, MD | 631,000 ! Gresham, OR | 101,537 ! Park City, UT | 20,620
Baton Rouge, LA | 428,360 Iowa City, IA | 65,219 Portage, MI | 46,143
Chandler, AZ | 252,257 Irvine, CA | 186,220 Redmond, WA | 49,890
Charlotte, NC | 648,387 Knoxville, TN | 177,646 ! Ridgeland, MS | 22,809 !
Columbus, OH | 748,000 La Crosse, WI | 51,818 Simsbury, CT | 23,256 !
Durham, NC | 212,789 ! Lakewood, CO | 146,000 South Lake Tahoe, CA | 23,609
Grand Rapids, MI | 688,937 Lansing, MI | 111,304 ! Spartanburg, SC | 39,487
Greensboro, NC | 258,671 Lawrence, KS | 88,664 Urbana, IL | 40,550 !
Huntington Beach, CA | 202,250 ! Longmont, CO | 84,636
Indianapolis & Marion County, IN Mountain View, CA | 70,708 Population: Up to 19,999
| 872,842 Naperville, IL | 128,358 Arcata, CA | 16,651
Lexington-Fayette County, KY | 246,800| North Little Rock, AR | 60,433 Ashland, OR | 19,522
Long Beach, CA | 466,520 Oceanside, CA | 174,925 Calistoga, CA | 5,300
Louisville, KY | 700,030 Roanoke, VA | 94,911 ! Carbondale, CO | 5,196 !
Mesa, AZ | 437,454 Rochester, MN | 102,437 ! Davidson, NC | 10,300 !
Milwaukee, WI | 554,965 Roseville, CA | 109,154 Franklin, PA | 7,212 !
Oakland, CA | 365,875 ! Roswell, GA | 85,920 Golden, CO | 18,026 !
Orlando, FL | 205,648 Salem, OR | 152,239 Houghton, MI | 8,238 !
Pittsburgh, PA | 316,718 ! Santa Clara, CA | 110,376 ! Liberty Lake, WA | 7,270
In Arcata, Calif.
Riverside, CA | 311,575 Santa Clarita, CA | 175,314 Oxford, MS | 16,727 they focus on
Sacramento, CA | 457,514 Santa Monica, CA | 87,400 Port Townsend, WA | 8,334 bike safety.
San Jose, CA | 912,332 Schaumburg, IL | 73,346 Sanibel, FL | 6,064 !
Spokane, WA | 204,428 ! Shawnee, KS | 57,628 Sitka, AK | 8,883
St. Louis, MO | 350,759 Sioux Falls, SD | 154,000 Sonoma, CA | 9,128
St. Petersburg, FL | 249,090 South Bend, IN | 100,842 ! South Sioux City, NE | 11,925
Tulsa, OK | 384,037 Springfield, MO | 156,206 ! Traverse City, MI | 14,532
Washington, DC | 553,523 Sunnyvale, CA | 131,760 Vail, CO | 4,806
Bicycle Friendly
Businesses
T
he Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) program recognizes employers’ efforts to
encourage a more bicycle-friendly atmosphere for employees and customers.
The program honors innovative bike-friendly efforts and provides technical as-
sistance and information to help companies and organizations become even better for BFB New Belgium Brewery Co.
bicyclists. For the list below, each awarded business is categorized by designation level gives employees a new bike on
and includes location and number of employees (listed last). their one-year anniversary.
The Hub of Detroit, Detroit , MI | 7 N

Platinum King Cycle Group, Portland, OR | 75
Bicycle Sport Shop, Austin, TX | 120 Mercy General Hospital, Sacramento, CA | 1,900 +
Bike Gallery, Portland, OR | 125 MIT Lincoln Lab, Lexington, MA | 3,400
Landry’s Bicycles, Natick, MA | 75 Planet Bike, Madison, WI | 6
New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO | 338 REI St. Louis, St. Louis , MO | 55
Quality Bicycle Products, Bloomington, MN | 450 Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA | 4,300 +
TTR Bikes, Greenville, SC | 2 Specialized Bicycle Components, Morgan Hill, CA | 442
Trek Bicycle Corporation, Waterloo, WI | 1,150
Gold University of California, Santa Barbara,
Santa Barbara, CA | 4,600 N
Advanced Sports Inc., Philadelphia, PA | 45
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Washington Area Bicyclist Assoc., Washington, DC | 10 N
Anchorage, AK | 1,900 + Wheel & Sprocket, Inc., Hales Corners, WI | 113
Alta Planning + Design, Portland, OR | 51
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI | 8 N Silver
Bicycle Garage Indy, Indianapolis, IN | 75 212 Market Restaurant, Chattanooga, TN | 38
Bicycle Technologies International, Santa Fe, NM | 42 360 Architecture, Kansas City, MO | 121
CatEye North America, Boulder, CO | 4 Activate Omaha, Omaha, NE | 4 N
Clif Bar & Company, San Francisco, CA | 239 Arlington County Government, Arlington, VA | 800 N
David Baker & Partners, San Francisco, CA | 14 Bear Valley Inn, Olema, CA | 2
Dero Bike Rack Company, Minneapolis, MN | 18 Big Shark Bicycle Company, St. Louis, MO | 30
KEY: BICYCLE INDUSTRY HOSPITALITY/RETAIL + MEDICAL/HEALTH
N NON-PROFIT/GOVERNMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MANUFACTURING/ RESEARCH
Peace Coffee, Minneapolis, MN
Bike City Recyclery Inc., Fayetteville, AR | 2 The Hawley Company, Lexington, SC | 60

The Bike Lane, Burke, VA | 12 Just Coffee Cooperative, Madison, WI | 13
Bike Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA | 3 N Kimberly Clark, Neenah Sites, Neenah, WI | 3,065
Bike World, San Antonio, TX | 40 Kona Bicycles Co., Ferndale, WA | 20
BikeAthens, Athens, GA | 2 N KTU+A Planning + Landscape Architecture,
The Burke Group, Rosemont, IL, Rosemont, IL | 220 San Diego, CA | 33
Camden Bicycle Center, Saint Marys, GA | 3 League of Michigan Bicyclists, Lansing, MI | 2 N
Campbell Thomas & Co. Architects, Philadelphia, PA | 7 Liberty Bicycles, Asheville, NC | 18
Charleston Civic Design Center, Charleston, SC | 4 Mad Dog Cycles, Orem, UT | 15
City of Austin, Austin, TX | 11,000 N Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, IA | 3,200
City of Bloomington, Bloomington, IN | 150 N Mountain Gear, Spokane Valley, WA | 75
Community Cycles, Boulder, CO | 5 N National Park Service - National Mall and Memorial Parks,
Corporate Executive Board, Arlington, VA | 1,803 N Washington, DC | 335 N
Crystal City Business Improvement District, Olson, Bzdok & Howard, P.C., Traverse City, MI | 9
Arlington, VA | 5 N Out-Spoke’N Bike Shops, Inc., Lake Mary, FL | 7
Destination Sales & Marketing Group, Arlington, VA | 17 Palo Alto Bicycles, Palo Alto, CA | 18
EasyStreet Online Services, Beaverton, OR | 36 Peace Coffee, Minneapolis, MN | 20
Ecologic Design - Green Guru Gear, Boulder, CO | 8 Peckham & Wright Architects, Inc, Columbia, MO | 14
Ecology Action, Santa Cruz, CA | 48 N Penn Cycle, Bloomington, MN | 125
Family Bicycles, LLC, Kansas City, MO | 4 Phoenix Bikes, Arlington, VA | 4 N
Fort Wayne Outfitters & Bike Depot, Fort Wayne, IN | 11 Providence Portland Medical Center,
Frans Pauwels Memorial Community Bicycle Center, Portland, OR | 2,700 +
Aloha, OR | 2 N RDG Planning & Design, Omaha, NE | 173
Garver, North Little Rock, AR | 124 REI Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL | 60
Gearhead Outfitters, Jonesboro, AR | 7 REI Northbrook, IL, Northbrook, IL | 75
General Mills Albuquerque Plant, Revolution Cycles, Arlington, VA, Arlington, VA | 100
Albuquerque, NM | 185 Salt Lake City Bicycle Co., Salt Lake City, UT | 6
Bicycle Friendly Businesses
San Francisco Landscapes, San Francisco, CA | 5

Saturno Design, Portland, OR | 14
Sharebike.org, Roanoke, VA | 5 N
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA | 400
Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage, AK | 1,400 +
Sugar Cycles, Inc., Missouri City | 10
Toole Design Group, LLC, Hyattsville, MD | 18
Trek Bicycle Store of Columbus, Columbus, OH | 20
Trek Bicycle Stores of Madison, Madison, WI | 20
TriSports.com, Tucson, AZ | 45
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency HQ,
Washington D.C. | 5,000 N
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY | 12,000 N Corporate Executive Board, Arlington, Va.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities,
Minneapolis, MN | 18,000 N
University of WI, Madison, Madison, WI | 23,000 N
Urban Adventours, Boston, MA | 15 Birchwood Cafe, Minneapolis, MN |50
Whatcom Council of Governments, Bellingham, WA | 12 N Bloomington Cooperative Services,
WheelHouse, Santa Barbara, CA | 2 N Bloomington, IN | 224
Wiebenson & Dorman Architects PC, Washington, DC | 2 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota,
World of Bikes, Iowa City, IA | 6 Eagan, MN | 4,100
Blue Wheel Bicycles, Charlottesville, VA | 4
Bronze Broken Spoke, Iowa City, IA | 2

California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, CA | 75
Advanced Micro Devices, Austin, TX | 2,800
Capella University, Minneapolis, MN | 2,000 N
Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, Omaha, NE | 30
Carlson Hotels, Omaha, NE | 350
Alling Henning Associates, Vancouver, WA | 34
Carmichael Lynch, Minneapolis, MN | 230
Ameriprise Financial, Corporate Headquarters,
Chainwheel, Little Rock, AR | 11
Minneapolis, MN | 5,000
Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District,
Arrow Bicycle, Hyattsville, MD | 5
Urbana, IL | 313 N
Avtech Corporation, Seattle, WA | 240
Charlotte County Health Dept., Port Charlotte, FL | 50 +
Banner Health, Mesa, AZ | 3,500 +
Ciclismo Classico, Arlington, MA | 10
Berghammer Construction, Butler, WI | 30
City of Champaign, Champaign, IL | 205 N
Bike Masters, Omaha, NE | 10
City of Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR | 753 N
Bike Rack Cycling and Fitness, Omaha, NE | 20
Colle+McVoy, Minneapolis, MN | 170
Bike Tech, Cedar Falls, IA | 5
Dream Ride Projects, Lancaster, PA | 3 N
Bikesport, Houston,TX | 7
National Geographic, Washington, D.C.
Kimberly-Clark
Neenah, Wis.
Economic Research Service/USDA, Washington, DC | 400 N InterContinental Hotels Group, Salt Lake City, UT | 645
Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN | 120,000 IBM Rochester Site, Rochester, MN | 4,400
Engberg Anderson, Inc., Milwaukee, WI | 60 Java Shack, Arlington, VA | 7
EnviroFriendly Lawn Care, Fort Collins, CO | 2 Loris and Associates, Lafayette, CO | 12
Eppstein Uhen Architects, Milwaukee Office, Mary Black Foundation, Spartanburg, SC | 8 N
Milwaukee, WI | 100 Mast General Store Inc., Knoxville , TN | 47
Erik’s Bike Shop, Bloomington, MN | 130 Mel Trotter Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI | 125 N
Fehr & Peers, San Francisco, CA | 230 Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles, St. Paul, MN | 3
Fein Violins, Ltd., St. Paul, MN | 6 National Geographic Society, Washington, DC | 1,600 N
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP, National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), Boise, ID | 550 N
Washington, DC | 750 Old Spokes Home, Burlington, VT | 10
Fluor, Greenville, SC | 2,000 OTB Bicycle Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA | 15
Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Park Tool Co., Saint Paul, MN | 45
Fort Collins, CO | 23 + Parkersburg Bicycle, Parkersburg, WV | 3
Foth IE - Kansas City, Overland Park, KS | 6 PayPal, Inc., La Vista, NE | 3,000
Fresh Energy, St. Paul, MN | 20 N Pearl Izumi, Louisville, CO | 100
Friends Committee on National Legislation, Providence Alaska Medical Center,
Washington, DC | 25 N Anchorage, AK | 3,169 +
Gahanna YMCA of Central Ohio, Gahanna, OH | 100 N Providence St. Peter Hospital, Olympia, WA | 2,400 +
Golden Bear Bikes, Broomfield, CO | 6 Providence St. Vincent Medical Center,
Great River Energy, Maple Grove, MN | 875 N Portland, OR | 4,240 +
Green Star Inc., Anchorage, AK | 3 N Race Pace Bicycles, Ellicot City, MD | 60
The Green Institute, Minneapolis, MN | 15 N Ramsey County, Saint Paul, MN | 4,000 N
In-Situ Inc., Fort Collins, CO | 80 RCI, Carmel, IN | 1,200
Fluor, Greenville, S.C.
RCommunity Bikes, Rochester, NY N Trek Bicycle Downers Grove, Downers Grove, IL | 10

REI College Park, College Park, MD | 50 Upstate Forever, Greenville, SC | 23 N
The Ride, Conway, AR | 5 Urban Eats Cafe, St Louis, MO | 13
Rings & Things, Spokane, WA | 77 Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee, WI | 35 N
Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission, US Open Cycling Foundation, Providence, RI | 2 N
Roanoke, VA | 12 N USAA, San Antonio, TX | 22,000
Rodale, Emmaus, PA | 880 Velocity Cafe & Cyclery, St. Louis , MO | 13
RPM Transportation Consultants, Walt’s Bicycle, Fitness, and Wilderness Company,
LLC, Brentwood, TN | 11 Columbia, MO | 18
Santa Cruz Seaside Company, Santa Cruz, CA | 170 Wamsley Cycles, Morgantown, WV | 8
SAP Labs - La Crosse, La Crosse, WI | 171 Washington Bike Law/Anderton Law Office,
Schreiber Anderson Associates, Madison, WI | 24 Seattle, WA | 2
Spin Doctor Cyclewerks, Bartlett, IL | 7 World Bank Group, Washington, DC | 8500 N
Spyeglass, Minneapolis, MN | 10
Travel Portland, Portland, OR | 49 N
Bicycle Friendly
States
A
Bicycle Friendly State (BFS) promotes cycling through legislation, policies, programs, and by creating new places
to ride, educating motorists and cyclists, and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation.
The BFS program is two-fold: it ranks and recognizes states that actively support bicycling. First, states are
ranked annually based on their level of bike-friendliness. Secondly, states apply for BFS recognition based on promotion
of their efforts as well as feedback, technical assistance, training and further encouragement to improve their bicycling
legislation, projects, and programs. The state’s 2010 and 2009 ranks are listed below (2009 rank is in parenthesis). The
BFS awardees are indicated.
15 Massachusetts (19) 29 Rhode Island (35) 44 Oklahoma (48)

1 Washington S (1)
16 Michigan (15) 30 Hawaii (22) 45 Arkansas (38)
2 Wisconsin S (2)
17 Wyoming (11) 31 Mississippi (24) 46 New Mexico (46)
3 Maine (3)
18 Virginia (23) 32 Ohio (39) 47 West Virginia (42)
4 Minnesota B (5)
19 California (14) 33 South Carolina (26) 48 Montana (49)
5 Oregon S (4)
20 Nevada (25) 34 Vermont (21) 49 North Dakota (45)
6 New Hampshire (8)
21 Illinois (12) 35 Georgia (31) 50 Alabama (50)
7 Iowa (6)
8 New Jersey B (10) 22 Kentucky (27) 36 New York (41)
9 Arizona B (7) 23 Utah (18) 37 Louisiana (30)
24 Tennessee (43) 38 South Dakota (28) KEY:
10 Delaware B (9)
11 Maryland (16) 25 North Carolina (20) 39 Alaska (47) S SILVER BICYCLE
26 Idaho (34) 40 Connecticut (44) FRIENDLY STATE
12 Florida (32)
41 Texas (36)
13 Kansas (33) 27 Indiana (29) B BRONZE BICYCLE
14 Colorado (13) 28 Missouri (17) 42 Pennsylvania (40) FRIENDLY STATE
43 Nebraska (37)
he most visible, and perhaps
most tangible evidence of
a bicycle friendly community,
business or state is the pres-
ence of an infrastructure that sup-
ports bicycling. Survey after survey
shows the physical environment is a
key determinant in whether people
will get on their bike and ride.
The BFA programs embrace the
adoption of a Complete Streets policy
as a critical indicator of a commit-
ment to make every street, over time,
safer, convenient and comfortable for
cyclists of all abilities to ride on. For
these policies to be effective, training
(for planners and engineers) and ad-
herence to the best available design
standards and maintenance practices
is equally important. The devil really is
in the details when it comes to street
design for bicyclists.
The most bicycle-friendly com-
munities have a wide range of accom-
modations for bicyclists – from sig-
nature trails and greenways through
shoulders, bike lanes and boulevards
to shared lane markings, signing
and connected local roads where
nothing much needs to be done to
make them rideable. The successful
blend of every available facility type
ultimately makes up a connected
network of on-street and off-street
options. This is evident in the higher
levels of the program, as are these
Open Streets other key facility factors:
St. Louis, Mo. • A high percentage of arterial or
main roads with bike lanes, shoul-
ders or parallel trails.
cies that increase the frequency and Few cities can compete with
effectiveness of maintenance pro- Chicago’s installation of more than
grams. 12,000 bike parking racks in recent
Thanks to our growing collabora- years, New York City’s new policy on
tion with the International Mountain bike parking in buildings, or Port-
Bicycling Association, we have a land’s pioneering in-street parking
• Good bike access to bridges, much better sense of the kind of en- corrals. The Long Beach Bikestation
underpasses and other barrier- gineering and infrastructure that sup- ushered in an entire new genre of
breaking roads. ports off-road and particularly single- parking/rental/repair facilities that are
• A willingness to innovate and track riding. Pump tracks, urban jump popping up all over the country. Yet,
embrace new techniques such as parks, and access to single track all the simple concept of a rack where
cycle tracks, shared lane markings add to the opportunities for bicycling. you can lean and lock a bike is a con-
and bike boxes. Hopefully, these resources are all accept that a lot of communities and
cessible on bike-friendly roads so you employers forget.
Trying to create a more bicycle- don’t have to drive to ride! Two final engineering factors
friendly community without these Communities, states and univer- highlight the holistic nature of the
elements, or by only providing trails sities clearly have control over the BFA programs. First, we recognize that
or wide outside lanes, simply doesn’t streets on which bicyclists operate; urban bicycling is intricately con-
work – or at least won’t get you more the same is not usually true for busi- nected with – or should be – transit
than a bronze designation. nesses, unless they own and operate service (in those communities that
Recent upgrades to the BFA ap- large campuses with internal road have it). Bicycle access to transit
plication have increased the empha- networks. However, when it comes to includes safe routes to and from
sis on maintaining this infrastructure. end-of-trip facilities – parking, lock- stations and stops, as well as secure
Bike lanes and trails are quickly ers, showers, etc. – employers have a parking at those locations. The ability
rendered useless when full of debris, much greater influence and opportu- to carry your bike on buses, trains,
potholes, overhanging branches, nity to provide for cyclists. and ferries is now becoming the norm
snow and ice, etc. We recognize agen- The straightforward question rather than the exception.
of “are there places to park a bike” Second, recreational bicycling
is considerably embellished with has to be part of an overall cycling
additional questions searching for culture. Therefore, we look for evi-
evidence of things such as: dence of the kind of infrastructure
NYC protected
• Number of parking spaces per that supports social and recreational
bicycle lane employee/student/parking space. trips, as well as longer distance travel
• Proximity of parking to buildings/ and tourism: signing and marking
destinations. of long distance routes, programs to
• Adherence to bicycle parking improve trail heads, and parking and
guidelines developed by the bicycle-related services. In more rural
Association of Pedestrian and areas, shoulders are more likely (and
Bicycle Professionals appropriate) than bike lanes.
• Short and long term parking op-
tions including security, protec-
tion and signing issues.
• Policies to ensure new develop-
ment includes bike parking.
• Policies to ensure showers, lock-
ers and other amenities are avail-
able in employment sites.
engineering Complete Streets
T
he communities, businesses
and states designated as
bicycle-friendly are work-
ing to encourage active and
livable streets for all users including:
pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and
transit riders of all ages and abili-
ties. A Complete Streets policy and
guidance for implementation are vital Charlotte, N.C.
to any bicycle-friendly effort and St. Louis, Mo.
requires consideration of all modes of
travel in every aspect of the transpor- for cars with little thought for cyclists one another. “Our draft policy was
tation planning process. and pedestrians,” said Ken Tippette, primarily based on an ordinance
Bicyclists are at the core of this bicycle coordinator for Charlotte, passed by Ferguson, Mo.,” said John
movement because Complete Streets N.C. “With the policy change, we’re Kohler, the bicycle coordinator for St.
mean more access, mobility and com- seeing a citywide culture shift across Louis, Mo. “We reviewed ordinances
fort. Cities, states and business rally the board from elected leaders, city adopted by several cities throughout
behind Complete Streets because staff, and ordinary citizens — every- the country and incorporated some
they mean improvements in sustain- one.” Charlotte’s implementation of language into our draft ordinance.”
ability, personal health and economic creative transportation options like Seattle Children’s Hospital, a
development. Creating Complete a light rail and bike racks on buses bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Busi-
Streets calls for broad partnerships, has energized constituents. The city ness, was a supporter of their city’s
sets good standards and builds strong receives calls from citizens wanting to Complete Streets policy and went on
communities. know when their area gets bike lanes. to adopt a similar measure when the
hospital was planning to expand their
Bicyclists Take the Lead It Takes the Whole Village campus. “Seattle Children’s Hospi-
Bicyclists often lead the push for Complete Streets benefit cyclists, tal got the health and active living
Complete Streets. “Their passion for pedestrians, transit users, people with benefits from bicycling,” says Barbara
improvements for cycling has the disabilities, youth and older adults Culp, former Bicycle Program Lead
extra benefit of making roads better through better connected networks. with the hospital. The hospital built
for everyone,” said Barbara McCann, Implementing a Complete Streets trails and made connections inter-
executive director of the Complete policy is best done by building part- nally and externally to enable people
Streets Coalition. Complete Streets nerships with community partners. to move around the campus by foot
policies are a great focal point for a Complete street policies are being or by bike. As a result they now see
community to organize around. “Be- implemented nationwide as trans- lower healthcare costs. “We see the
fore the policy went into place, it was portation agencies strive to improve. importance of looking at the built
business as usual. Streets were built As numbers grow, policies build off
“With the policy change, we’re seeing a citywide culture shift across
the board from elected leaders, city staff, and ordinary citizens.
Every one.” Ken Tippette, Bicycle Coordinator, Charlotte, N.C.
“One of the goals of the complete streets movement Is about winning
over the engineering profession, and Making them have a vision about
e
streets for everyone.” Barbara McCann, Executive Director of the Complete Streets Coalition
Menlo, Calif.
Mayor Ralph Becker at the

Bicycle Friendly Community
Ceremony, Salt Lake City, Utah
environment and its role in achiev- Transportation and agency staff have allow for the strengths, needs and
ing important wellness objectives. It’s organized regional workshops on character of the community to guide
literally about building the connec- policies, as well as design, in coordi- the work. Tippette, of Charlotte, em-
tions.” nation with metropolitan planning phasized that their Complete Streets
A bit of healthy competition organizations. “As a result, we’ve Policy not only serves to further
helps. “New Jersey has had a routine been averaging two municipalities acknowledge bicycling as transporta-
accommodation policy since the a month passing resolutions,” said tion but it also “sets a design standard
1980s,” said Sheree Davis, state bi- Davis. “These communities see this as for their city’s streets and ensures
cycle coordinator for the New Jersey a key building block to being desig- they are designed right the first time.”
Department of Transportation. While nated a Bicycle Friendly Community.” Kohler, of St. Louis, Mo., said the
attending the Delaware Bike Summit NJDOT is also planning on Complete purpose of their city’s policy is to “set
in 2009, she learned that Delaware Streets training for all qualified con- forth guiding principles and practices
passed a Complete Streets Policy. sultants and contractors in the state. to be considered in the design, opera-
Knowing that Delaware had a higher tion, and maintenance of streets to
Bicycle Friendly State ranking, Davis’ Set a Standard promote safe and convenient access
competiveness kicked into action. “If Much like a Bicycle Friendly and travel for all users.”
Delaware can do it, then why not us?” Community action plan, Complete
said Davis. She returned to New Jer- Streets policies envision the commu- Find a Common Cause
sey and worked up a draft to present nity’s transportation future. Rather Complete Streets policies are not
to the NJDOT Commissioner, which than a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all that complicated. Yet, sometimes it
was soon passed into law. strategy, complete streets policies can be a tough sell. Finding a com-
Since New Jersey passed the state mon cause for concern can be an ex-
policy, the Deputy Commissioner of
engineering Complete Streets
cellent way to start the conversation. Our Complete Streets policy has “been a big
For Sheree Davis, of New Jersey, the
focus was to reduce traffic fatalities. game changer for New Jersey.”
“Averaging around 100 pedestrian - Sheree Davis, State Bicycle Coordinator for NJDOT
and 20 cyclist deaths means some-
thing has to change, but how were
we going to do it?” said Davis. “The tion of what they look like,” she said. recently completed a road diet that
deaths woke our department up. This Good design guidance and training included the addition of bike lanes
just makes sense.” is crucial. “Once it is explained how as part of a resurfacing project on
some paint and small adjustments South Broadway, a major north-south
Win Over Transportation can be inexpensive, safe solutions to arterial road running through down-
Engineers the problem, they get it.” town. Cyclists were ecstatic about the
“One of the goals of the Com- road and how it offered an improved
plete Streets movement is about Not one-size-fits -all option to commute to work, exercise
winning over the engineering profes- While there are lots of great ex- or visit downtown sites.”
sion and showing them a vision of amples, there isn’t just one complete Charlotte uses a six-step planning
streets for everyone,” said McCann street. For example, St. Louis’ Com- process in all of their road projects
of the Complete Streets Coalition. plete Streets plan components include that defines current land and trans-
Appealing to the problem-solving street and sidewalk lighting; pedes- portation use, as well as the planned
side of engineers has yielded great trian and bicycle safety improve- future use and context. This process
results. “In our workshops, there is at ments; access improvements, includ- has been so successful that it has been
least one engineer sitting in the back ing compliance with the Americans integrated into the Complete Streets
of the room, skeptical, with his arms with Disabilities Act; public transit Coalition training workshops.
folded. Throughout the day you can facilities accommodation, including Many agencies enjoy the ex-
see the light bulb go off, and by the pedestrian access improvement to panded toolbox that that Complete
end, not only are they attentive, they transit stops and stations; street trees Streets gives them. “In Seattle, their
are among the most engaged.” The and landscaping; drainage; and other ordinance is very well thought out.
Institute of Transportation Engineers street amenities. City staff learns by doing, by experi-
is supportive of Complete Streets. “Our policy is implemented in mentation, and then they codify what
Davis has had similar experi- a project by project approach,” said works,” said Barbara McCann.
ence in New Jersey. “In order to sell Kohler. During the planning phase, Such flexible approaches serve
it, you need to bring in the experts the city will conduct a study and to alleviate transportation agencies’
that can lay out what complete streets analysis to see how best to integrate fears that their hands will be tied
mean – there is often a misconcep- these elements into the project. “We to include all modes, regardless of
need or of context. The most effective
What Businesses Can Do: Seattle Children’s Hospital

Seattle Children’s Hospital biggest commitment to
Complete Streets came with the expansion of the hospital
campus through their Major Institution Masterplan. The
plan was sited along an arterial road but bordered a most-
ly residential part of Seattle. Employee, client and visitor
travel patterns were going to have a huge impact on the
neighborhood. By doubling the size of the hospital, there
was potential to double traffic – something that neighbors
did not want and were prepared to fight against.
Left: Buffered bike lane with
experimental green intersection
treatment, Austin, Texas.
Open Streets,
St. Louis, Mo.
Policy, it was easy to claim the costs

were too high and cut components
Complete Streets policies are applied out of a project.” This issue disap-
across the transportation network, peared when they updated their
ensuring strong connectivity for all Complete Streets policy. “It’s been a
modes throughout. Policies should big game changer for New Jersey.”
also include a list of exceptions, like “Complete Streets policies
when a mode is prohibited (think helped Charlotte move away from be-
limited access highway), when costs ing an auto-centric community,” says
e
are exceptionally disproportion to Tippette. “We are truly a transporta-
the anticipated use or when there is a tion agency in the full sense of the Gilbert, Ariz.
documented lack of current or future word.” Similarly, St. Louis is working
need. These policies require high- on improving their BFC rating. The
level agency sign off. city passed their Complete Streets constructing first class transportation
“Our policy doesn’t give our policy over the summer and has facilities for all users. The Complete
agency many outs,” says Davis. “Even begun investing in significant capi- Streets policy sets the framework for
with our previous Accommodation tal improvements by designing and continued smart growth, well into the
future. New Jersey’s Davis echoes the
sentiment of many bicycling advo-
“Complete Streets policies helped
cates, “This is very timely for us. We
Charlotte move away from being an auto- should have been doing it years ago.”
centric community. We are truly a transpor- i For more information, visit
tation agency in the full sense of the word.” completestreets.org or contact
- Ken Tippette, Bicycle Coordinator for Charlotte, N.C. bmccann@completestreets.org.
As a business, they had already invested heavily in borhood. “We paid the city $4 million in transportation
mobility choices for their employee through bus passes improvements surrounding the campus. Half of that went
and stipends for biking and walking. “This laid down the towards bicycle and pedestrian improvements,” says Culp.
beginning. There was institutional recognition of the need Local advocates and hospital representatives then hosted
to address multi-modal access to get our expansion plan a ride-about for city council to show where these improve-
passed,” says Barbara Culp, former Bicycle Program Lead ments are going and the impacts on the neighborhood.
with the Hospital. “We needed to find a way to mitigate Without these efforts toward auto traffic mitigation, neigh-
that impact, to be a good neighbor.” bors would have likely pushed the city council to reject the
Bicycle Boulevards and connection to trails were already contentious plan.
made a part of the plan and the Hospital made financial
investments in multi-modal transportation in the neigh- iFor more information, visit seattlechildrens.org. Contact
Doug Burgesser at doug.burgesser@seattlechildrens.org.
engineering building bicycling
where they go to be called bicycle-

friendly routes. High-capacity urban
roads, known as arterials, are impor-
tant to bicyclists for the same reason
as they are to everyone: they get you
T
where you want to go. Several in-
he impact of built environ- novative treatments to make arterials
ment on physical activity is more accommodating for cyclists are
well documented. So, how being added to the toolbox and go
do we design our streets to beyond simple bike lanes and shoul-
promote bicycling? ders: bike boxes, bike signals, buff-
Communities can encourage bi- ered bike lanes, colorized pavement,
cycling by shaping the physical envi- contra-flow bike lanes, cycle tracks,
ronment to give bicyclists confidence, and shared roadway markings. NYC Bike Parking. Photo credit NYCDOT
comfort, and convenience. Focusing
on three elements in particular can ROAD DIETS – COLFAX AVE., A few years ago, South Bend
greatly enhance bicycling by con- SOUTH BEND, IND. started the Bicycle Friendly Commu-
necting bicycling investments to the The signature bike project last nity process. They addressed routes
entire transportation network: year in South Bend, Ind., was a road that would be important for bicy-
• accommodations on arterial diet on Colfax Ave. The street’s four clists – routes with destinations, like
streets. lanes were converted to two traffic schools, businesses, and parks. “We
• a strong connection to transit. lanes with bike lanes on both sides looked for obvious arterial connec-
• plentiful bike parking/end of trip in order to better manage traffic and tions,” Dressel said.
facilities. provide designated space for cyclists. “We wanted to create a network
Colfax is a significant east-west of roads for bicyclists and saw a need
Arterial Streets arterial and designated truck route for a significant east-west connec-
Most communities that the BFA through downtown. “We wanted to tion across the city,” said Dressel.
program works with already have make it a Complete Street and make “We worked with the public works
good networks of neighborhood it safer for cyclists,” said South Bend department and engineers to gauge
streets that provide a comfortable Bike Coordinator Chris Dressel, “Any feasibility and determined that
riding environment for almost any time we have a road project, we look there was excess capacity.” The city
cyclist. These streets need little more for ways to make the street more ac- presented the proposal to various
than knowing that they are there and commodating for bicyclists.” audiences, including property owners
and businesses. The proposal built
on what the East Bank neighborhood
had wanted to support its arts-related
“Any time we have a road project, we look for
businesses. As a result, “We got good
ways to make the street more accommodating feedback. It was one of the best-
for bicyclists.” – South Bend Bicycle Coordinator Chris Dressel
received concepts I’ve ever seen at a
public meeting,” Dressel recalled.
The city planned the implemen-
tation to be completed in time for the
inaugural “Bike the Bend” event in
Bike to Work Week.
The city observed significant
use during Bike to Work Week and
regular use for the rest of the season.
Despite the fact that they removed
traffic lanes to make space available
for cyclists, they’ve heard no com-
plaints from drivers. “The road had
extra capacity, so we could make the
change with no negative impact,”
Dressel said.
“We’re trying to find ways to
make cycling a truly viable means of
transportation within the city,” Dres-
sel said, “The comments we received
went from ‘Is anyone going to use
these lanes?’ to ‘How do I deal with
all of these cyclists?’ That’s progress.”
i For more information, contact
Chris Dressel at cdressel@southbendin.
gov.
Separated Facilities,
New York City
From shared lane markings to
high-visibility green bike lanes and
protected paths, NYCDOT is engi-
neering safer streets for everyone as
it expands the citywide bike network.
“While many may view protected
bike lanes as a safety feature for
cyclists, they lead to safety benefits
for everyone who uses the street, and
they are the anchors for traffic calm-
ing projects across the city,” said New
York City Bicycle Program Coordina-
tor Hayes Lord. “The street design
retains parking and incorporates NYCDOT has installed protected bicycle lanes on the
pedestrian islands, which provide a avenues to provide important north-south connec-
protected space and decrease cross-
ing distances for pedestrians.” Streets tions to business centers, communities and to ensure
with bike lanes were 40 percent less the continuity of the bicycle network.
deadly for pedestrians than other
streets, according to the city’s recent that make them ideal for riders of all 50 percent in the six months fol-
Pedetrian Safety Study & Action Plan. abilities – from ages 7 to 70. Safety on lowing implementation.
Manhattan’s avenues function the streets is off the chart as speeding
both as arterials – they are wide and reckless driving plummet: Installing protected bike lanes on
multi-lane streets with high traffic • On 9th Avenue, injuries to all Manhattan avenues has opened up
volume – and de facto local streets. street users (not just cyclists) fell bike access to large portions of Man-
They provide the only access to by more than 50 percent, com- hattan that were previously intimidat-
many properties for both vehicles pared to the previous three years, ing for cyclists. The avenue bike lanes
and bicycles. All of the north-south in the year following the 2007 provide safe and convenient bike ac-
roadways in Manhattan’s core share implementation of protected cess to the core of Manhattan where
these characteristics and there are bike lanes - including a 57 per- no alternate routes are available. On
no “quiet” parallel routes. Therefore, cent drop for cyclists. The project 9th Avenue, the city’s first protected
NYCDOT has installed protected bi- won the “Best Program Award” bike lane, daily cycling volumes grew
cycle lanes on the avenues to provide from the Institute for Transporta- 69 percent from 2007 to 2010. On
important north-south connections tion Engineers. Prospect Park West, bicycling has
to business centers, communities and • On Broadway, where a protected tripled in one year. On Kent Av-
to ensure the continuity of the bicycle bike lane and plaza treatments enue in Brooklyn, cycling volumes
network. were installed from 42nd Street all but doubled from 2008 to 2010.
Protected bicycle facilities pro- to 35th Street in 2008, injuries to On Grand Street in Soho, cycling
vide a feeling of safety and protection all street users dropped by nearly volumes increased 56 percent from
When Main Street is a Highway: Maryland’s Design Guidance

The State of Maryland has areas, public services, recreation and
steadily moved up the Bicycle transit.” Jon Cardin, the Maryland
Friendly State rankings and received State Delegate for Baltimore County,
an honorable mention in the BFS called the document “an effort to
program in 2010. This is in part due to make towns more pedestrian-friendly
policies that impact how bicycling is and bicycle-friendly,” saying, “This
built into the transportation network. helps revitalize and rejuvenate small
In 2003, the Maryland State Highway towns.”
Administration published a handbook Delegate Cardin, who frequently
for communities and designers called bikes from Baltimore to the state
“When Main Street is a State High- capitol in Annapolis, said, “In the
way” to make state highways through legislature, we’re always looking
towns accommodating to all forms of for good ideas from people in the
transportations. community who are living them. By In 2003, the Maryland SHA published a
The guidance explicitly emphasiz- creating biking and walking friendly handbook called “When Main Street is a
es the need for a connected bicycling communities, we reduce the need for State Highway” to make state highways
through towns accommodating to all forms of
network: “The bicycle network should suburban sprawl, make towns enjoy-
transportations. For more information, visit
connect to places people want to go. able places to live, and reduce the www.marylandroads.com or contact Michael
The network should provide con- need for people to hop in a car to go Jackson at MDOTmjackson3@mdot.state.md.us
tinuous direct routes and convenient half a mile. That improves quality of
connections between destinations, life.” Maryland is home to Bronze BFC,
including homes, schools, shopping Baltimore.
“There is a natural integration between BIKE TRANSIT CENTERS
bicycling and transit. It’s just so easy to get
There are eight bike transit cen-
off the train, hop on your bike, and go where
ters that provide secure bike park-
you want to go.” – Salt Lake City Mayor, Ralph Becker ing, bike rentals, and other related
services at public transportation
2008 to 2010. On Broadway, cycling he asked people what they’d like to hubs in cities across the country.
increased 50 percent in one year. see the city do differently: make the “Communities are making enor-
Each of these protected lanes was city safe and accessible for bicycling. mous investments in transit,” says
supported by the local community That gave Mayor Becker what he Andréa White-Kjoss, President and
boards, and several were requested called the “political confidence” to CEO of Bike Station, “To make them
by the boards themselves. Project aggressively integrate bicycling into efficient you need to be able to draw
teams and borough commissioners the city’s transportation network. passengers from a large area. The
post project plans on-line, meet with “To have a successful transportation easiest way to do that is to make it
individuals and local groups both system, you need to have choices,” easy to ride bikes to the stations.”
before and after projects have been he said, “safe, convenient, accessible Sixty-five percent of the people
implemented, and remain commit- choices for all modes of transportation.” that use Bike Stations are connect-
ted to problem-solving on a virtual Salt Lake City and the surrounding to transit. On average 30 percent
24-7 basis. Hayes explains, “We have ing region have done this by integrat- of Bike Station users were previously
worked closely with communities, ing bicycling with transit. “There is a driving. This share is as high as 65
and have worked with local business- natural integration between bicycling percent at some locations.
es to accommodate loading and other and transit,” says Mayor Becker, “It’s Bike Stations are “a really effec-
needs, and protected paths actually so easy to get off the train, hop on tive way of getting people to transit
incorporate parking into the safety your bike, and go where you want and increasing bike ridership and
design, enhancing safety on protected to go.” Last fall, Salt Lake City and getting people out of their cars,”
path corridors.” the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) White-Kjoss explains.
i For more information, visit opened the Bicycle Transit Center at According to White-Kjoss, to get
www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/ the central train station, connecting a Bike Station in your community,
bikemain.shtml or contact Bicycle bikes with intra- and intercity bus you need to have a strong champion
Program Coordinator, Hayes Lord at and rail. The staffed facility provides of the concept, like a mayor or city
HLord@dot.nyc.gov. secure storage and rents and repairs manager, and the ability to follow
bikes. through. Transportation agencies
Connection to Transit Bikes are allowed without time can apply to various public federal
Connecting bicycling and transit restrictions on all urban buses and funding sources, such as Transporta-
has many transportation benefits for trains. Many cyclists take a bus or the tion Enhancements and the Conges-
bicyclists and transit agencies. It in- TRAX light rail system to get up the tion Mitigation and Air Quality Im-
creases the number of people that can steep hill to the University of Utah. provement (CMAQ) Program, as well
reach bus and train stations, gives bi- Along many routes, the hill has a 15- as state, regional, and local sources.
cyclists the option to ride after dark, 20 percent grade. Commuters then
i For more information,
in poor weather, or through inacces- bike around campus or whiz back
sible areas, and it reduces congestion home down the hill. visit bikesation.com.
by reducing the need for car trips. Salt Lake City developed the
green shared lane – a green-painted
Integrating all modes, stripe on a road that would not fit
Salt Lake City, Utah
During Ralph Becker’s campaign
for mayor of Salt Lake City, he heard
one thing over and over again when
Washington, D.C.
Dayton, Ohio
BIKE STATIONS: There are eight

official Bikestations (bikestation.com)
throughout the country and many
other bike hubs and bike transit
centers. BFCs in Dayton, Ohio and
Chicago, Ill. are standouts. For more
information on Chicago’s station visit
www.chicagobikestation.com.
a bike lane, which gives bicyclists the mobility of the 40 percent of Plentiful Bike Parking
priority, while sharing the space with Utah’s population that cannot drive End of Trip Facilities
cars. The stripe parallels the TRAX due to age or ability – and everyone End of trip facilities are an im-
light rail system along two streets in else. UTA envisions European-style portant element in creating a BFC.
the downtown area. physically-separated cycle tracks and Cyclists need to know there will be
In the works are bikeways con- bikeways connecting seamlessly to plenty of visible, accessible, easy to
necting the airport to downtown, a transit throughout Salt Lake City and use, and convenient parking at their
prototype bike boulevard, and a bike the region. destination; and, ideally, a place to
share program. Any business can call Salt Lake City moved up to a change clothes.
the city to request a bike rack, and Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Com-
Salt Lake will install up to 10 bike munity in 2010. Bikes in Buildings, Bike Hub
corrals next summer, by request. i For more information, contact and Bike Highways
The transit agency is also pursu- Dan Bergenthal at dan.bergenthal@ Dayton, Ohio
ing an active transportation initiative slcgov.com. The City of Dayton recognizes
to construct a comprehensive walk- the importance of secure bike park-
ing and biking network to improve ing to promote bicycling. In addition
Prime Bike Parking: General MIlls Plant, Albuquerque, N.M.

The General Mills plant in Albuquerque, N.M., which is located near biking trails and a short bike ride from a com-
muter rail station, had a group of employees who were really into cycling. A few years ago, they talked to a plant man-
ager about providing secure bike lockers to encourage bike commuting. The manager liked the idea and decided to
purchase lockers – then he found out about a program run by the city of
Albuquerque that provides businesses with bike lockers for free.
“We’ve got changing lockers and bike lockers. Our 30 bicycle lockers
are the closest parking spaces to the office,” the plant’s John Saucedo said,
“We put in the lockers two years ago. They have been permanently in-
stalled. Employees can sign out a key whenever they need it.”
Now there is an uptick in bike commuting. Saucedo says, “People are
more comfortable bringing their bike to work because of the lockers. Be-
fore there were always four or six bikes in the hallway.”
i For more contact John Saucedo at john.saucedo@genmills.com.
Dayton became a Bronze Bicycle 100% ARTERIALS WITH
Friendly Community in 2010. BIKE LANES: GILBERT, ARIZ.
Erica Burton at erica.burton.cityof- All of Gilbert’s arterial streets –
dayton.org. major and minor – have 5.5 foot bike
lanes. This policy is written into the
Commuter Facilities city’s Public Works and Engineering
Meredith Corporation, Standards and Details.
Des Moines, Iowa “Thanks to far-sighted
The media and marketing com- planning, residents and families
pany Meredith Corporation promotes can get on a bicycle and ride to
Meredith Corporation fitness center
bicycling to work as part of a compre- our neighborhood park, the local
hensive health wellness program. At grocery store, a library or a friend’s
the worksite, they provide: home, and the nearby office – or just
to the 135 bike parking space and • Indoor and outdoor secured to exercise on a nice day” said John
35 bike lockers in Dayton, the city bicycle parking. Lewis, Mayor of Gilbert.
passed a zoning ordinance that re- • Locker rooms with showers and “It’s very important to our
quires new buildings to provide mini- towels. community to be active. Bike lanes
mum bike parking spaces within 60 • Direct access to local bike trails. encourage people to get out and
feet of the building’s main entrance.
about with their families, to go to
The number of spaces to be provided Meredith built an onsite fit- the store or anywhere else,” Beth
depends on the number of units or ness center and enhanced the locker Lucas, Gilbert’s public information
bedrooms in the building. rooms in 2000. This has created a officer explained, “Just as there is
Dayton sees its trail network as more bicycle-friendly workplace a standard width for a sidewalk, it
bike highways, and its roads – which and has been well received among is the standard that arterial streets
increasingly include shared lane employees and in the community. have bike lanes.”
markings and bike lanes – are the Meredith also donated $1 million in Gilbert, AZ has been a Bronze
arterials. Any good highway needs a 2004 to create the Meredith Trail to Bicycle Friendly Community since
rest stop, so downtown Dayton’s Five connect Gray’s Lake to the downtown 2003.
Rivers Metro Park opened its Bike area in Des Moines.
Hub. It includes bike racks, a tire “Investing in wellness, including For more information, contact
i
pump, coin-operated lockers, public bicycle commuting, is clearly paying Greg Sveland at gregs.ci.gilbert.az.us
restrooms, cycling accessories, food off for Meredith” says Jen Harken,
concessions, bicycle rentals, and a Meredith’s Corporate Communica-
secure area with lockers, restrooms, tions Manager, “and we have the
and showers for Bike Hub members. attention of senior-level management
“When you look at efforts to increase which is why we’re now able to devote
bicycling, removing impediments more resources toward encouraging
to bicycling is a no-brainer,” said bicycle commuting - and can provide
Andy Williamson, Assistant Manager a financial incentive for employees.”
of Outdoor Recreation at Five Riv- Additionally, Meredith allows for a
ers Metro Park and League Cycling flexible work schedule so employees
Instructor. can make arrangements with their
According to City Commissioner supervisor to bike to and from work
Nan Whaley, critics were skeptical if desired.
the bike parking facilities would be i For more information, contact
used, “They said, we didn’t believe wellness@meredith.com. Gilbert, Ariz.
you when you said they would be
used, but we see it happening.”
engineering including all bicyclists
Ore. don’t have to build parks to pro- Other BFBs have built their own
vide this experience. They have the path systems to link their workplaces
advantage because the park is their to the larger network like IBM’s in
B
backyard.” Urban communities have Rochester, Minn. which includes
uilding a network that ac- to be more innovative. “The key for nearly four miles of paths that con-
commodates and welcomes an urban area is to provide different nect to the community and larger
all bicyclists is a challenge. types of facilities to let people know state bicycling networks. Blurring the
There are different bicy- there are different types of bicycling lines between recreation and trans-
clists to consider and many types such as bike parks, skate parks, and portation is part of building a com-
of communities and business loca- on-road facilities,” adds Van Winkle. prehensive bicycle-friendly system.
tions. An experienced bike com- A bike park is not as space demand-
muter might prefer riding in traffic ing as you may think, “Typically you Considers all Types
and sharing the lane with cars. A don’t need anything more than the of Bicyclists
recreational cyclist may choose to size of a baseball field to allow for The Schuylkill River Trail Cam-
ride on paths or off-road trails. A a bike park.” Build it, and they will paign in Philadelphia, Penn. is a
truly bicycle-friendly environment, come. Several Bicycle Friendly Busi- popular trail system and sees more
includes places to ride for every kind nesses have built recreational biking than 670,000 cyclists annually. “The
of bicyclist. amenities at their locations, such as trail system has existed for decades
platinum-level New Belgium Brewing but wasn’t often used as a holistic cor-
Limit Abrupt Transitions Company’s on-site cyclo-cross track. ridor,” says Alex Doty, Executive Di-
in the Network
One should not have to drive to
a destination to bike. Connecting all
types of riding is a key to building a
complete bicycling network. “The key
is to limit abrupt transitions, go be-
yond the pathway, and to make easy
transitions from one type of riding to
another,” says Jill Van Winkle, IMBA
Trail Specialist. “Integrating paths
and trails connects bicyclists to other
types of riders and rides.” The best
off-road trails are the ones that are
accessed through on-road facilities.
Seize the opportunities Tropical Cyclocross, Miami, Fla.

Almost every community, busi-
ness, and state has ways that it could
“The key for an urban area is to provide
encourage both on and off-road
cycling. Communities should aim to different types of facilities to let people
link park facilities with park ameni- know there are different types of bicycling
ties. “Rural communities and smaller such as bike parks, skate parks, and on-road
towns like Flagstaff, Ariz. or Bend, facilities.” - Jill Van Winkle, IMBA Trail Specialist
rector of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater
Philadelphia. “The campaign was the
result of our vision to have the trail system
become a major transportation corridor
for the city.” The Schuylkill River Trail has
long been a back bone of activity and has
ignited a regional effort to complete key
connector areas and create an even broad-
er network throughout the region. “One of
the main reasons the Schuylkill River Trail U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM
Campaign is such a compelling project is
because it connects the southwest areas of The U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) is a proposed
the city, predominantly an underserved national network of bicycle routes which connect two or more
area and where there is little green space, states, a state and an international border, or other U.S. Bicycle
and reconnects these areas to the river.” Routes with the intent to link various types of riding facili-
It encourages various types of bicycle use ties – urban, suburban, and rural. The system will use existing
from commuting to recreational riding. infrastructure where possible to include roads, bike paths, and
There are parts of the trail that are paved trails. If implemented as planned, the system will connect over
and parts that are packed earth – exposing 50,000 miles of routes.
cyclists to different surfaces. Having U.S. Bicycle Routes come through the commu-
“The trail is a much loved regional nity is seen as an economic and health benefit for all types
amenity of the city and the campaign is of communities. For small and rural communities, the USBRS
a coordinated effort among will increase tourism to contribute to the local economy. The
municipal entities, various route designations will also serve as a method for encouraging
Roanoke, Va.
advocacy groups, Business bicycling for the local population.
Improvement Districts, and In larger communities and metropolitan areas, where ur-
other advocacy groups,” ban networks are beginning to take shape, the USBRS is a way
stated Doty. “The Bicycle for these systems to be a part of something larger. While urban
Coalition of Greater Phila- networks are growing, the suburbs continue to be a challenge.
delphia simply stepped in to The vision for the USBRS is to make an impact regionally. Cy-
help build a coalition among clists will be able to travel from their homes or offices to rural
these groups so that now all landscapes for more great riding.
trail advocates are speaking There is no designated funding for the USBRS; however,
together, which made us a much stronger most of the system will use existing facilities. In cases when
force.” there is a need for bicycle accommodations, traditional
Funding of the trail enhancements methods of funding are appropriate. There is an advantage to
and extensions are also a cooperative having designation through your Department of Transporta-
effort. The campaign will benefit from tion and American Association of State Highway and Trans-
a USDOT TIGER Grant, county open portation Officials (AASHTO). As routes become established,
space money, local money, state money a greater acknowledgement of bicyclist’s needs develop. For
through Department of State and Natural example, when doing routine maintenance on a road that is
Resources, a local match from the city, and designated as a USBR, the agency might consider adding more
support from the William Penn Founda- shoulder or deciding not to rumble strip/stripe the roadway.
tion.
When completed the Schuylkill River i To find out more, visit adventurecycling.org.
Trail will extend 128 miles.
i For more information, visit
http://www.bicyclecoalition.org.
ne of the great conun-
drums in promoting bicy-
cling is the role of educa-
tion. When asked, people
rarely say that getting more bike edu-
cation and training would encourage
them to ride more ... and yet anyone
that’s been through a Traffic Skills 101
(TS101) class knows how much confi-
dence and enjoyment it generates; and
it is very evident that both cyclists AND
motorists need a lot of help individu-
ally and to get them to share the road
with each other!
“Education” is relatively cheap and
easy to do when compared to a major
trail project or bike plan implemen-
tation ... yet it is actually quite labor
intensive and has to be repeated year
after year to have a permanent impact
on a large number of people. There are
just a handful of really critical mes-
sages to teach cyclists and drivers ... yet
we can quickly get hung up trying to
impart too much information, or argu-
ing about who is more to blame for
safety issues.
The starting point for Bicycle
Friendly America programs is the
League’s own Smart Cycling educa-
tion program. We are certifying up to
400 League Cycling Instructors a year
thanks in large part to communities
and businesses organizing seminars to
Open Streets get their staff into the program. Hav-
St. Louis, Mo. ing instructors is one thing: we also
want to see them actually sharing the
good information that’s in the program
by teaching classes. In cities such as
Tucson, San Francisco, Austin, Dallas
had to avoid broken glass and pot-
holes, and seen the impact of different
roadway designs on cyclists’ comfort.
Varied Media
Just as there is a target-rich en-
vironment for bike safety messages,
Columbus, Ohio so there is no end of media to use to
deliver those messages. We ask BFA
program applicants to document the
and Minneapolis, we are seeing quite classes, clubs, events and campus ways in which they are using print,
significant volumes of students being bicycle shops. visual, electronic and social media to
put through their Traffic Skills paces. In addition to the traditional TS101 spread the word. Among the options
Successful implementation of a classes and the delivery of education we have seen and recommend are:
broad education program depends on through schools, colleges and univer- • Inserts in utility bills – especially
the accessibility of the material and the sities, the BFA programs really foster timed to coincide with major
teachers. While the 9-hour TS101 class innovation and creativity in delivering events, National Bike Month etc
is our standard offering, BFA applicants bike safety and education messages. • Newspaper and newsletter col-
are also rewarded for finding creative The program has identified a series of umns, blogs, community newslet-
ways of delivering that information in specific target audiences and a wide ters
bite-sized pieces – lunch-time brown- variety of media that are being used to • Public Service Announcements
bag presentations at work sites; 2-hour good effect around the country. (PSAs) on TV, radio, billboards, and
skills classes at the local bike shop; pre- in print media
ride briefings at bike club events, etc. Target Audiences • Company and government intra-
The Safe Routes to Schools pro- Our dream of a bicycle-friendly net sites as well as websites and
gram, which is obviously a lot bigger America envisages the day when there social media pages
than just a bicycling initiative, is a are no fatal crashes between bicyclists • Bus wraps and adverts, transit
proven way to increase the number of and motorists. To get to that point, and shelter posters
kids riding bikes – we ask communi- in the places with the best traffic safety
ties to tell us how many schools are records, we see professional drivers When the human touch can’t be
participating in the program and we learning about safe interactions with beaten, we highly recommend estab-
score the performance of States based bicyclists. Taxi and bus drivers, truckers, lishing a Bicycle Ambassador pro-
on how much of the available Federal delivery van drivers, and even school gram – where people (often younger,
funding for the program they are actu- bus operators have all been the focus seasonal workers) are hired to deliver
ally spending. of effective education programs. Mo- safety talks, ride major trails and routes
A best practice emerging from cit- torists (and bicyclists) who have been offering assistance, promote cycling
ies such as Washington, D.C.; Philadel- ticketed for bad behavior are prime safety at events, festivals, fairs etc. They
phia, Pa.; and Portland, Ore.; involves candidates for “diversion” classes to have even been used to diffuse tension
the city hiring the local cyclists advo- reduce fines and remove points from where cyclists are running into prob-
cacy group to take a fleet of bikes and their driving record. lems with motorists or pedestrians.
teachers to area schools to systemati- We love to hear about our TS101 States have a unique ability to
cally deliver bike education to thou- classes being adapted for specific affect motorist and cyclist education
sands of schoolchildren. audiences. Traffic engineers and city through the training and education
The Safe Routes program doesn’t planners gain a new appreciation for required of motorists. Every state pub-
extend to colleges and universities the intricacies of street design after lishes a driver’s manual and establishes
but there is clearly a need to educate they’ve been through a class – and bet- the standards expected of drivers to
students. College towns and campuses ter understand what cyclists want out pass their drivers test – in both cases,
are hotbeds of cycling activity and of the roadway system. Politicians gain information related to safe interaction
there is a huge opportunity to teach a similarly keen insight into cyclists with bicyclists should be included.
lifelong bicycling safety skills through behavior after they’ve taken the lane,
Education Traffic Skills Training
T
eaching cyclists to share the ary Commissioner of the New York
road competently and cor- City Department of Transportation.
rectly is a vital part of any The city has long been held back,
education program. Motorists in cycling terms, because of its high
sometimes seem almost completely crash rate. In 2006, the city under-
unaware of what cyclists’ rights are, took an exhaustive research study to
honking when we appropriately take document where and why the crashes
the lane, or buzzing us even in states were happening. In 2007, with the
with 3-feet passing laws on the books. results in hand, the city launched
And cyclists can sometimes be our its Look campaign looknyc.org. The
own worst enemies: running stop tagline, “The best protection a cyclist
lights, riding the wrong way on one- has is our attention” is followed in
way streets (“But it’s how my parents advertisements by – there’s one thing Washington, D.C. commuters
taught me to ride!”), and flouting everyone can do: LOOK.
traffic laws. The solution is better traffic Transportation Alternatives, a
skills education, and more cyclists on New York City advocacy organiza- cyclist deaths (41 deaths in 2008
the road. The Bicycle Friendly America tion, also launched Biking Rules, down to 29 deaths in 2009). This kind
program is working on both! a street code that teaches cyclists of citywide outreach campaign has
responsible behavior and how to in- proven very effective.
Education for Motorists & teract with pedestrians and motorists.
Cyclists at a Citywide Level For more information, visit http:// Austin, Texas
transalt.org. Training cyclists has been done
New York CITY These campaigns, coupled with very effectively in Austin, through the
New York City has been a whirl- the transformation of NYC’s streets Austin Cycling Association’s Safety
wind of innovation and inspiration and trails, has contributed to a huge and Education Programs. Their Web
over the past few years, thanks in part increase of commuters in New York site offers in-depth (and readable)
to Janette Sadik-Kahn, the vision- City, coupled with a decrease in articles written by League Cycling
Teaching Employees to Commute: Dero, Minneapolis, Minn.

Children need safe routes to school, and adults needs safe routes to work. Dero, a
bike rack manufacturer based in Minneapolis, Minn. uses its many passionate commut-
ers, including on-staff League Cycling Instructors, to train newcomers to the company.
“We do have many commuters who are on staff,” said Mark Skoine, “who are more than
happy to share information about how to commute, when to use studs [for your tires, in
icy road conditions].”
Dero also pays its employees $3 per day when they bike to work. This money, paid
out quarterly, is $780 annually – an education in why biking to work makes fiscal sense!
Bike safety education, route finding assistance, and information on sharing the road with
bicyclists is emphasized in their company orientation.
i For more information visit dero.com.
“The best protection a cyclist has is our
attention” – NYC’s LOOK Campaign
e
Instructors on everything from how funds to set up a Bicycle & Pedestrian
to trigger a traffic signal when you Safety & Education program. With
are stuck at a red light to when to $568,000 in federal, state and local
leave the bike lane behind. There is funds, the program launched with a
even an article on how far you have huge outreach component (radio, TV,
to be to be clear of the door zone that bus shelter advertisements) as well TRAINING THE STATE:
involves a funny digression into the as new bike lanes, enhanced police CALIFORNIA &
width of a 1977 Ford Tornino when training, and free League-curricula- MASSACHUSETTS
fully open (summary: Even a two- based bike classes for kids and adults.
lane road wouldn’t be enough to clear In addition to the classes, ev- In October 2010, California,
that particular door zone!). ery attendee receives a bike helmet, the Commission on Police Officer
They also teach classes to chil- pump, U-lock, front and rear lights, Standards and Training approved
dren and adults year-round. Their reflective tape, tire levers and more. a proposal by the Basic Training
classes are all based on League cur- This ensures that cyclists have the Bureau to incorporate the rights
ricula, and they go a step further, training and the materials they and provisions of bicyclists into
working with League Director of need to actually start riding — the Vehicle Code training. This means
Education Preston Tyree to create mayor of Tucson was one of the that effective July 1, 2011, all police
new classes. Two years ago, with a first people to take the class! Fund- academies in California will be
grant from the National Bicycle Deal- ing was renewed in 2008. Seventh mandated to include this topic in
ers Association, the League devel- grade students throughout the region their Regular Basic Course. The stu-
oped a new national program that are taught about safe bicycling and dent workbooks will be amended
allows bike shop employees to teach walking practices, and the program to include this information. The
children and adults how to bicycle. educates teachers and staff as well. outline for bicycle law instruction
The classes are much shorter than i For more information contact will be disseminated by the Basic
other League courses, and allow a Gabe Thum at gthum@pagnet.org. Training Bureau to the academy
good overview for people just start- staff to use as a reference.
ing out. They’ve been popular around Fort Collins, Colo. On the other side of the coun-
the country, and it wouldn’t have In Fort Collins, Colo., the out- try, Massachusetts offers a Law
been possible without the help of reach campaign is called Coexist, Officer’s Guide to Bicycle Safety,
Austin-area advocates and the Austin and has dos and don’ts for motorists developed by MassBike with the
Cycling Association. and cyclists on its popular posters. support of NHTSA, that serves as a
i For more information, contact Messages encourage cyclists to obey national model. One of the police
Annick Beaudet at annick.beaudet@ traffic signals, ride on the right, and officers from Illinois that took the
ci.austin.tx.us. “Don’t be THAT guy,” about the frus- training said, “The course will be
trations pedestrians feel when cyclists helpful in increasing public safety
Tucson and Pima ride on the sidewalk. The posters because it helps train officers how
Region, Ariz. also encourage drivers to avoid right to effectively ride, handle, and use
Tucson and the Pima Region in hooks, share the road, and be ex- the bike to patrol the community
Arizona have been leaders in bike ed- tra cautious when backing up. The they work in.”
ucation since 2005 thanks to the able success of the campaign is based on
leadership of Pima County Bike/Ped speaking to both cyclists and motor- i For more information, visit
Program Manager Matt Zoll. That ists about how to behave better. MassBike.org.
year, Zoll wrote an application for i For more information, contact
federal transportation enhancement DK Kemp at dk.fcgov.com.
Education Safe Routes to School & Work
Certification is designed for fourth sage through these teachers. That is

and fifth grade students, and comes based on our survey that we’ve done
in 15 discrete lessons, each at least several years in a row, and that num-
W
15 minutes in length. Teachers can ber seems to be pretty consistent,” she
hen the last trans- become certified to teach it in three said.
portation bill passed, or six hours (depending on the level Since 1999, the SafeCyclist
in 2005, it included of certification), making it accessible program has certified 3,701 physical
funding for a new, to most physical education teachers. education teachers and community
nationwide safe routes to school The classes break down into sev- youth workers. The program works
program. The bill included money to eral categories, from strength training for teachers and students. As Jan-
create safe routes to school, encour- to rules of the road, and the handouts ice Mangrum, a teacher at Fuentes
age children to ride, and to teach kids are provided in Spanish and English. Elementary in Kyle, Texas, said, “We
how to walk and bike to school. Some The topics are age-appropriate for 9 were all so glad to receive teacher
states, like Texas, California and Alas- and 10 year olds, and include hel- training that was both meaningful
ka, already had innovative programs met fit, how to repair a flat, and safe and relevant to our teaching field ...
in place. The federal support helped cycling skills. The classes are taught Everyone got a lot of good ideas and
turbo-charge these programs, which through interactive games, to pro- guidance from your training.”
mote fun and active learning. i For more information, contact
are now models for several other
states. Since the program was re- brenda@biketexas.org.
launched in 2010, Oklahoma has
Building Strong Cyclists bought it and started the program. A City Strengthens Cycling
Statewide: Texas When Oklahoma bought it, they to School: Anchorage,
The SafeCyclist Certification, in trained 20 field instructors thinking Alaska and Palo Alto, Calif.
Texas, is headquartered at BikeTexas four or five would actually go out Anchorage, because of its loca-
in Austin. The curriculum, formerly and teach. “We want them to be LCIs tion, faces very specific bike and
known as the Texas SuperCyclist first,” said Brenda Chuleewah, Safe walk to school challenges. Namely:
program, started more than 15 years Routes to School program manager It is very dark for much of the school
ago, but was completely revised and for BikeTexas. year. Sometimes the sun is up for less
relaunched in 2010. The new version About the overall success of the than six hours. The Safe Routes to
can be adopted by any state, and is program since its inception, Chulee- School program has helped Anchor-
very user friendly. The SafeCyclists wah was happy to report that they are age distribute reflective tape to more
reaching hundreds of thousands of than 10,000 students (at no cost to
students annually. “We conducted a the students) and more than 75,000
survey of our certified teachers, and bicycle helmets have been given
200,000 students in Texas each year away. The tape is used by students to
are receiving the bicycle safety mes- create large (and visible) designs on
Safe Cyclist Certification

The classes break down into several
categories, from strength training to rules
of the road, and the handouts are provided
Springfield, Mo. in Spanish and English.
e
Charlotte, N.C.
“200,000 students in Texas each year are receiving the bicycle safety message.”
– Brenda Chuleewah, Safe Routes to School program manager for BikeTexas
the back of their jackets and coats, are working on an $80,000 planning On a sunnier side of the country,
and the helmets are properly fitted grant to do 10 site-specific planning Palo Alto, Calif. has been working
by the school nurses. Between the activities for Safe Routes to Schools.” to make it easier for kids to bike and
first and second years of the reflec- Additionally, Anchorage recently walk to school since 1994. The team
tive gear program, participation went approved a new bike plan. “We are in Palo Alto crosses many traditional
up from 30 percent to 70 percent. working to make sure that more lines, ensuring greater success. The
“We learned about the Safe Routes people realize that there are bicyclists. school district, police department,
to Schools grant program a few years We want recognition and acknowl- city staff and PTA are on a Safe
ago, and the municipality and the edgment,” said Lori Schanche, non- Routes Task Force. The creation of
school district have applied for and motorized transportation coordinator this task force allows the group to le-
received funding from the program,” for Anchorage. The Bicycle Com- verage assets to create a truly bicycle-
said Shane Locke, traffic engineering muters of Anchorage have also been friendly community.
technician for Anchorage. “We set up working on training for children i Find out more at the Safe
a GPS mapping system where we can and adults. Included in the plan is Routes Palo Alto Web site
evaluate all the walking routes that language that says, “Promote bicycle www.saferoutes.paloaltopta.org.
students take to school, and check safety for children of elementary and This site offers everything from a
which ones need improvement.” middle school age, who are involved place to report problems on a stu-
“The program also enabled An- in nearly 14 percent of all bicycle dent’s route to school to education
chorage to implement a school cross- crashes in nonschool hours.” on how to walk and bike to school
ing guard reflector and safety training i For more information on An- safely. Their community’s cohesion,
program,” said Steve Kalmes, director chorage’s bicycle programs contact Lori is a good model to transform school
of people transportation for the An- Schanche at schanchele@muni.org. commutes for children.
chorage School District. “Now they
Education Educating Engineers and Planners
Educating the People Building the Roads:
T
he Advocacy Advance
partnership, which is fund-
ed by SRAM, has made a
difference for bicyclists ev-
erywhere, by funding research to help
cyclists and offering grants to local
advocates. One such grant, awarded
to the League of Illinois Bicyclists
(LIB), helped teach planners and
engineers in Illinois about the needs
and requirements of cyclists. Execu-
Dayton, Ohio
tive Director Ed Barsotti and the LIB
has been interested in educating
planners and engineers for years, and
found that the state’s engineers and to show interactions on the roadway.”
planners lacked background training The state’s former bike-pedestrian
on bicycle issues. LIB has been active coordinator also helped write the
e
in the state, speaking at conferences curriculum, which added to the buy-
and offering continuing workshops, in at the statewide level. Washington, D.C.
but didn’t feel that they had really The courses were planned for 10
been successful at reaching this audi- locations around Illinois, and LIB
ence. realistically hoped for 10 people to
With the Advocacy Advance attend each course. They did public- to continuing education credits for
grant in hand, Barsotti set out to ity to municipalities and engineering planners and engineers. It was expen-
create a course that would educate and planning firms, mainly send- sive and extensive to earn the right to
planners and engineers on the needs ing postcards speaking about the offer CEUs, but he feels strongly this
of bicyclists. “I had done two years of courses. “When we got a total of 500 is why their attendance was so much
a special topics course for the Univer- attendees at the 10 courses, it blew us higher than expected. For planners,
sity of Illinois-Chicago, an introduc- away,” Barsotti said. More than 125 LIB worked with the American Plan-
tion to bicycle planning course, and municipalities were represented, as ning Association to offer CEUs to
the seminar was directly from that well as 80 engineering and planning people keeping up their AICP certi-
course. It was much more than ‘here’s firms, the state department of trans- fication. For engineers, requirements
a bike lane, here’s a sharrow.’ The portation, and some county highway vary state by state, and in Illinois it
seminar started with a 15-minutes departments. simply requires that the person of-
abridged Traffic Skills 101, teaching Barsotti believes that one of the fering the course be an “expert in the
them some highlights of the course keys to their success was the access field.”
At a show of hands
early in the seminars,
about 90 percent of
the attendees said
they had no college
training in these
issues, and 80
percent had not
attended a seminar
about it. It was clear
from the attendance
and the informal poll
that these seminars
were filling a need in
Illinois.
Bike Rodeo, Bentonville, Ark.
e
The seminars provided great plete seminar, as well as a package from attendees,” Barsotti said. “It was
outcomes for LIB and Illinois. The of the PowerPoints and presentation one of the highlights of my 10 years
LIB was able to make a bit of money materials. in bicycle advocacy.”
to continue advocating; state and lo- An additional tip? The class only i For more information, visit
cal planners were able to learn about cost $25 to attend, and the League of www.bikelib.org or email Ed Barsotti
bicycling; and at least two towns have Illinois Bicyclists offered attendees at ed@bikelib.org.
issued bike plan RFPs that looked like the chance to also use that money
very much inspired by the seminar. toward a membership in LIB. “As a
The good news for other states is result of the seminars, we added 200
that the grant asked Illinois to create new members,” Barsotti said.
something that can be used across This is an effective and important
the country. LIB has made the entire audience for all 50 states to reach,
course accessible, with a two-and-a- and Illinois offers an excellent model.
half hour video online of the com- “The seminar got really high ratings
San Antonio, Texas
Encouragement activities are 2. Information-giving. People
incredibly varied and disparate – and want to know where to ride; they
more than any other area of the BFA need help with good routes to
applications they highlight the critical work, nice recreational rides,
reality that creating a cycling culture access to trails – and that’s often
where people are encouraged to ride true even in their own communi-
is something in which everyone in the ties. Programs that give people
ommunities, businesses, community is involved. The most suc- this information through maps,
states and universities all cessful bicycle friendly communities guides, on-line route mapping,
have a critical role to play in have a strong and effective advocacy route signing, mentoring and
simply encouraging people group; they have one or more active myriad other ways, really help to
recreational bicycling clubs putting break down barriers. The Smart
to ride – giving them the opportunity
on events and rides and activities; Trips or Travel Smart individual-
and incentive to get out on a bike for
they have a vibrant mountain bike ized marketing programs are
whatever reason they choose.
community; there are successful bike inspirational examples of these in
We know that signature events
shops and bicycle-related businesses. action.
such as Bike to Work Day and National
Signature events create a buzz 3. Comfort and company. People
Bike Month make a difference – they
in the community about bicycling. like to ride where there are
provide a focus and framework for
The 15,000-person Houston to Austin other people, and where they
clubs, advocacy groups, communi-
MS Ride hasn’t made Houston bike- can be totally comfortable riding
ties and employers to put on events
friendly quite yet, but the people without worrying about traffic.
that get people out riding. Commuter
that ride the event who all go out on Events known as Ciclovia, Sunday
challenges (among employers, for
training rides ... they are the core con- Parkways or Open Streets, where
example), commuter races (between
stituency of change. El Tour de Tucson a loop of streets are opened up
a cyclist, driver, bus rider, walker
is the catalyst for a lot of what hap- exclusively for people biking run-
etc), and community rides all have
pens to make the Tucson area above ning, walking, and doing other
more impact when they are part of
average for cyclists. Racing events like forms of physical activity, are
a coordinated national event – and
the Tour of California inspire com- dramatically effective in enabling
while not every metropolitan area can
munities to improve conditions for people to both enjoy themselves
match the 25,000 riders that Denver’s
cyclists year-round; and the culture in the moment and envision a dif-
bike to work day attracts, we know it
that emanates from world-class ferent future ... all in the company
only takes one Mayor or elected offi-
mountain biking in many Colorado of thousands of others doing the
cial to get the event on the front page
communities permeates small towns same thing.
of the newspaper.
like Steamboat Springs and Durango. 4. Bikes. Turns out a lot of people
We also recognize that these
As the BFA program has expand- don’t ride because they don’t
events have an impact whenever they
ed from communities to businesses have a bike, especially on the
are staged – Denver’s bike to work
and beyond, we have seen the most spur of the moment when they
event is actually in June each year
dramatic, game-changing encourage- need to get somewhere quickly.
because of the vagaries of Colorado
ment activities fall into four distinct Bike Sharing or large urban bike
weather in May, and that’s OK. Ari-
categories: rental programs – like those
zona does their thing in March.
1. Cold hard cash. Nothing chang- made famous by the cities of
es behavior faster than financial Paris, Lyon, and London in recent
incentives – like commuter years – have the potential to fill
benefit programs; reward pro- that gap and give the general
grams that offer bikes, clothing, public much better access to a
and equipment for service and bike when and where they need
performance. one ... the ultimate encourage-
ment!
Encouragement Bike Month
E ncouragement can be one of

the most exciting efforts in
promoting bicycling. This
can be done through Bike Month
events, community bike maps, route
finding signage, rides and commuter
incentives. Ultimately, though, it is
important to rally around a lead-
ing advocate like your mayor. Those
that make bicycling an easy and fun
transportation option will influence
potential riders.
National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month and
the perfect opportunity to encour-
Bike Rodeo
age new and returning riders to bike Bentonville, Ark.
commute. The League of American
Bicyclists is the official national
sponsor for Bike Month and pro-
motes Bike to Work Day annually on
the third Friday of the month. Bike
to Work Week corresponds to that Bicycle riders participate in the area’s Volunteers
Friday. events. It helps that 40 percent of the Part of San Francisco’s success
Communities and businesses Bay Area’s population lives within five can be credited to volunteers. SVBC
around the country have discovered miles of their job. “This is a distance and the San Francisco Bicycle Coali-
that the fun and excitement that that is really ideal to ride a bike,” tion start their volunteer recruiting
surrounds Bike Month and its events said Corinne Winter, president and efforts months in advance. They had
inspires non-bike commuters to get executive director of the Silicon Val- more than 300 volunteers for BTWD
on their bikes and ride. For help, use ley Bicycle Coalition. The city’s Bike 2010.
the League’s step by step guide avail- to Work Day increased 34 percent in To organize, inform and attract
able on bikeleague.org/bikemonth. 2010. Bike to Work Day is “a vision of the large group needed for pre-
what the morning commute should BTWD prep, SVBC uses an online
San Francisco, Calif. look like,” said Winter. form that displays BTWD volunteer
San Francisco’s BTWD boasts opportunities. The online form logs
having more than 100,000 Bay Area all volunteer information. The more
volunteers you have, the more people
“I was surprised by how many families rode in you have spreading the message.
“It sounds simple, because it
the Bike and Hike,” said Abramson. “I thought it
is,” says Winter. If the 40 percent
was going to be the usual suspects but once that lived within five miles to work
the word got out, it grew to a genuine “ditched their cars on Bike to Work
community event.” – Newly retired Louisville, Ky. Mayor Jerry Abramson Day alone, more than 60,000 vehicles
would be off the road, reducing tail- to two times a week.” Partnering with BIKE TO WORK MONTH
pipe emissions by more than 150,000 the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, PLAN FOR SUCCESS
pounds.” KC will open their mile tracking Web
i Visit www.youcanbikethere.com site to the entire state of Wisconsin
for more information. for Bike to Work Week 2011. KC FEBRUARY – Plan
hopes to have a statewide challenge • set a timeline for the event and
Kimberly-Clark and be able to record statewide data. marketing
Encouragement from • get inspired by other cities
the Ground Up Encourage your Employer • recruit volunteers
Kimberly-Clark has long en- to be Bike Friendly • determine what permits you need
couraged work-life balance. Three 1. A few can make a difference: “It’s • plan your budget
years ago, bicycling was brought all volunteer. I’ve got a job; this is
into the company’s culture thanks additional,” says Gusky. FEBRUARY TO MARCH –
to employee Rob Gusky and his Get 2. Partner with senior leadership: Build Partnerships
Up and Ride bike plan. He is now When you start to talk to people • secure funders
the Ambassador of Cycling under in your company about bike • have specific asks and plan for
Kimberly-Clark’s Scott brand. The commuting, remember there is a each potential funder
program started at three locations in reason for everyone to buy into it.
2008 and has expanded to include 62 “It’s an easy sell,” says Gusky. FEBRUARY TO MAY – Recruiting
sites worldwide, half of them in the 3. It’s all in the approach: “Often, and Working with Volunteers
U.S. The program sponsors a Web we outgrow our bike parking. In- • Brainstorm who can help: indi-
site for employees to track bike miles stead of demanding more racks, viduals, schools, businesses, etc.
– the Web site is even smart phone we talk to maintenance and ask • Know how to find them, work
compatible. what we can do. Then they are with them, and recognize their
like, ‘Oh; let’s get more!’” contributions
Bike Month Commuter 4. Figure out how biking will im- • Outline expectations, time and
Challenge prove the company. tasks involved
The Get Up and Ride program 5. Be patient. “It took years to make • Schedule convenient and timely
sponsors a five month commuter progress with the Get Up and meetings
challenge that kicks off during Bike Ride program,” says Gusky.
to Work Week. “Asking your cubicle 6. Work with people. “It’s all about MARCH TO MAY – Promotion
mates to join your commuter chal- relationships and how you treat and Communications
lenge team is an effective means of people,” says Gusky. “When you • identify key audiences
encouragement,” says Gusky. “Three are humble and don’t expect but • keep constants aware of Bike
people on my team last year were ask, leadership responds posi- Month: use e-news, Web site and
novice. Now they are all biking one tively.” blog
• develop uniform marketing cam-
paign with logo and theme
• promo materials
Start a Commuter Challenge at your Business • utilize social networking sites
Use Kimberly-Clark’s Example:
Read the whole guide at
1. Have an effective means for tracking miles that lets your employees
bikeleague.org/bikemonth
monitor and compare their progress.
2. Expanded cycling categories to include all types of riders: cycling for
transport and cycling for sport. The sport category might consider biking
to work.
3. Include novice riders by forming teams.
4. Encourage healthy competition. Kimberly-Clark has a trophy that travels
the globe from winning campus to winning campus.
Encouragement Leading Advocates
B ike advocacy encourage

others to support bicycling.
Frequently, you need the
help of a congressional office, local
officials, or your place of employ-
This “summit” of 120 people is
what started Louisville’s evolution.
The city began to develop bike lanes
– they now have 55-plus lanes – and
committed to a 120-mile bicycle loop
Abramson first stepped out of
the “bike box” when he introduced
bike counters for the new bike lanes.
He realized this was not enough. He
wanted to attract youth to bicycling,
ment to make progress. When you (27 miles are already done). The city so he introduced cyclecross to Lou-
have one of these figures standing up also concentrated on signage and po- isville. “We built a cyclecross world
for bicycling, make them the leading lice to develop an effective, long term championship course and are hosting
bicycle advocate. enforcement policy. the 2012 and 2013 UCI champion-
ships.”
Lousiville, Ky. Create Community Interest
Jerry Abramson was the long Abramson excelled in encour- The Legacy
term mayor of Louisville, Ky. – he aging his town to get on their bikes You can ensure pro-bike poli-
just retired – and was in office 15 and use the new facilities. He created cies will remain after you leave office.
years before he became a champion buy-in through the Mayors Hike and “Louisville has built the infrastruc-
of bicycling. “Bicycling triggered Bike ride. This ride remains tremen- ture in terms of advocates,” says
my interest in energizing my com- dously successful and will hopefully Abramson. “The next mayor will have
munity,” says Abramson. He was carry on with the next mayor – 1,500 no choice but to join the evolution of
inspired by a family trip to Colorado participated in the first ride and 7,000 bicycling in Louisville. Bicycling is
and “seeing all the bikeways, seeing participated in the 5th annual. “I was embedded into the DNA of our home
all the people riding bikes. I thought, surprised by how many families rode town.”
‘WOW’ this is something I should be in the Bike and Hike,” said Abram-
doing in my community.” son. “I thought it was going to be Leadership at the
the usual suspects but once the word Business Level
Making a Plan got it grew to a genuine community Mercy General Hospital,
Abramson first focused on recre- event.” Sacramento, Calif.
ational bicycling. He had started the Mercy General Hospital has been
Healthy Hometown movement and The Message caring for patients in the downtown
saw bicycling as an extension of this “The real focus is health when Sacramento, Calif. region for more
health initiative, along with nutri- talking bikes with mayors,” says than a century. Their roots and city
tion. “Bicycling just fits under the Abramson. “It all starts with recre- pride is reflected in their relationship
health umbrella,” says Abramson. He ational riding and infrastructure. The with employees and the community.
started reaching out to leaders and more people ride for fun, the more Mercy General’s leadership
developed a master bike plan. “Five they are comfortable riding to the became a champion of bicycling
years ago, we spent two days with drug store and to work.” Louisville with the help of Ron Kampling, the
leaders, education professionals, and continually increases the amount of Mercy General’s Director of Guests
bicycle enthusiasts. Out of that came bicyclists using multi-modal forms Services. “He knew the hospital had
our master plan – a five, 10 and 20-yr of transportation. The city had a 31 a lack of parking because the hosipi-
plan.” Abramson then took people percent gain from 2008 to 2009. tal’s proximity to a residential neigh-
from that meeting and created an
executive committee. Their purpose
“WOW! This is something I should be doing in my
was to ensure the plan moved for-
ward. comminuty!” - Jerry Abramson, Former Mayor of Louisville, Ky.
“The next mayor
will have no
choice but to
join the evolution
of bicycling in
Louisville.
Bicycling is
embedded into
the DNA of our
home town.”
-Former Mayor Jerry
Abramson,
Louisville, Ky.
borhood,” says David Brandeberry, To further promote a healthy life- Mercy General’s
current Director of Guest Services for style, Mercy General is eliminating Bike-Friendly Future
the hospital. “Bicycling seemed like a smoking on campus and converting Mercy General plans to imple-
natural fit – the answer.” the smoking area into a bike garden. ment internal bike training for novice
The facility will include eight to 12 riders and those new to the area or
The Business of Bicycle bike lockers, a garden, tools to tune facilities. Brandeberry has advice
Encouragement up and wash bikes, and air pumps. for those whose employer is not on
Mercy General’s encourage- The bike garden will be centrally board with bicycle-friendliness: “Stay
ment activities and incentives go located, giving people another safe consistent. It will take time. Try to
beyond the Bike Month Calendar. place to park their bike. get shops and advocates involved to
Mercy General is a gold-level Bicycle Bike Month is also a big deal for excite leadership and show there is a
Friendly Business with several com- the hospital. “During May, we make support network.”
mittees to keep bike commuting and a real big push for Bike Month,” says
our program in the limelight,” says Brandeberry. “Everyone gets out of
Brandeberry. their shell because we are a health
The hospital hosts the Mercy Fall care facility that thrives on promot-
Classic ride and supports the Mercy ing activities that promote a healthily
Cycling Club. The club members even lifestyle.” Mercy General was fifth in
have their own Web site mercycyclist. the region for the bike to work busi-
com for news, events and resources. ness challenge. The hospital’s employ-
Additionally, the hospital’s leadership ees biked more than 20,000 miles.
instituted a program to pay employ-
ees if they bike to work and provides
them with a meal voucher for a free Mayor Greg Ballard (2nd from left) and former
lunch. Mayor Jerry Abramson (left), Bicycle Friendly
Community Award Ceremony, Indianapolis, Ind.
Encouragement Advocacy Groups
L ocal advocacy groups are

the starting point for those
who realize that there are
things that need to be done to en-
courage bicycling in their area. Sev-
“2007 was a fantastic year around here. We
won a legal challenge protecting the right
of the county to protect one of the most used
trails in country, the bicycle master plan was
adopted, and hundreds of millions were com-
eral local and state advocacy groups
are fighting the good fight, improving mitted to bicycling projects. It was just a good
the conditions for cycling, and setting year. The years have gotten better but there
examples for other groups to learn were a lot of first in that year.”
from.
– Dave Douglas, Event Coordinator, Cascade Bicycle Club
Cascade Bicycle Club
Dave Douglas is the Event Coor-
dinator for the Cascade Bicycle Club important to them. From a software of staff and volunteers. Our staff size
(CBC) in Seattle, Wash. Originally standpoint they use Democracy is reflective of how many it takes to
CBC was a meeting of recreational in Action and Salsa to tailor their get money raised.”
riders who wanted an advocacy voice. advocacy alerts to the members that
The CBC is now a three-part orga- want them. “We can have them sign Community and
nization comprised of two 501(c)4s: up for what they are interested in, so Government Relations
Bike Pac and Cascade Bicycle Club if they are really interested in vulner- Douglas sits on large advisory
(C4), and their 501(c)3 the Education able user law but not county infor- committees for funding and trans-
Fund. The fund is a repository for mation we do not overload them,” portation financing. He has also
grants and a way to secure charitable says Douglas. “We try to keep people worked as co-chair for the bicycle
donations. Bike to Work Day and effectively engaged.” advisory committee, for bridges…
Month are operated under the Ed ”the list is too long,” says Douglas.
Fund. The Ed Fund provides hun- Operations He adds that if you are appointed to a
dreds of bicycles for classroom pro- CBC is operated by an 11-mem- committee, you will likely deal be on
grams and teaches more than 10,000 ber volunteer Board of Directors, 22 a committee “where they don’t like
students a year the basics of bicycling. professional staff, four AmeriCorps what you have to say but you have
members, and thousands of vol- to remember you are the most well
Action Alert unteers. “We’re a complicated and informed in the room.” This self-
The CBC is also very unafraid of unique model,” says Douglas. The confidence has worked for the CBC,
politics and elections. “We have been CBC started as an advocacy group, as evidenced in the numerous bike
very successful at the ballet box,” says so events were not their original infrastructure improvements and
Douglas. The CBC has grown into source of income. Originally, it was
a 13,000 member organization and membership, grants and their 501c3
has mastered the art of keeping their Education Foundation that kept
members engaged and active. “We them afloat. Their century, now the
have a very robust approach to timely CBC’s biggest event, took 20 years
action alerts, e-newsletters, alerts, to generate substantial revenue and
and the web,” says Douglas. They has 20,000 riders. “To date, the lions
offer direct face to face opportunities share of our income is our events,”
to engage members in issues that are says Douglas. “Our events take a lot
Advocacy groups create signature
community programs, such as Ciclovia or
Open Streets, that attract new riders.
three-year bicycle education and en- 20 percent from 2008 to 2009. “There COALITIONS
couragement program – Bike Smart is a large part of the population that THE INSIDE SCOOP
Seattle. wants to ride their bikes more, and
The CBC has two invaluable when we provide them the means, Important:
planners on staff to speed-up the they get back on their bikes,” says • Get in the door and have access
often slow and bureaucratic govern- Douglas. • Understand the players
ment process. For example says The CBC influences their mem- • Target the cause, i.e., transporta-
Douglas, “We have a couple of blocks bers in all the ways we can make tion choices, land use
in downtown that need of repairs. change: advocacy, partnering with • Connect to the community and
A citizen calls and asks what to do. communities, employers, education, see who is already working on
Our planners do a line drawing – we and encouragement. They then use your issues
do geo special analysis, look at data, the most appropriate tool for the job.
analyze the impact of plans, housing, “There is the inside game and the Advice:
and employment – and decide how outside game – and then use legal,” • Get engaged
to improve bike commuting in these says Douglas “For every step, we use • Be prepared to learn about land
urban villages.” the tool available to us and the most use, engineering and funding
Recently, the CBC has had suc- appropriate.” • Be credible
cessful bike/ped counts. The numbers i Find out more at cascade.org. • Be prepared to listen
show huge growth in areas that are • Find partners who can set the
making the investments. In down- direction
town Seattle, counts grew between by
PITTSBURGH’S CAR-FREE FRIDAYS 2010

PARTICIPANTS: 1,158 people participat- ACTIVITIES: 115 organizations SUPPORT: 15 funding organizations,
ed in Car Free Fridays events and activi- and businesses supported 38 $54,950 of in-kind support, including
ties. 795 people took the Car Free Friday activities in 8 neighborhoods raffle prizes worth $2,500.
pledge. 178 signed up online. and municipalities. i Find out more at bike-pgh.org.
Encouragement Advocacy Groups
HOW DOES BIKE

PITTSBURGH GET
FUNDING?
• Memberships
• Selling bike racks
• Yearly fundraiser Bikefest, a

10-day bike festival.
Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor of • Events and Rides: Pool ride,

Pittsburgh, Pa., at the ice cream rides, yoga for
ribbon cutting for the cyclists, and at least one
city’s first bike lane. free movie in the park that
is bike themed
Bike Pittsburgh “We just decided to start providing • Foundations

Bike Pittsburgh started in 2002 what we needed.” Bike Pittsburgh
when David Hoffman got hit by a is nestled in a town with copious • Sponsorships
car and decided to use the exposure amounts of foundations. They ap-
to bring attention to bicycle safety. plied for grants and leveraged those
At the same time Scott Bricker, now funds, and partnered with the city on
the Executive Director of Bike projects. They took each win and got
Pittsburgh, was starting a bicycle more people involved. “If you like half, they did half.” This is the first
advocacy organization. Bricker had this stuff, join Bike Pittsburgh!” was time the city has provided bike racks
spent time in San Francisco and was there motto. “You use your member- for the city. The same process is work-
awed by the city and the bikes. “It ship to gain wins, use wins to get ing with bike lanes. Bike Pittsburgh
wasn’t until I moved to Pittsburgh members,” says Bricker. pays for most of the engineering
that I realized the conditions were The Bike Pittsburgh formula is work. If the city approves the work or-
horrendous for bikes here, and that working. After the first five years of der, the government pays for the rest.
everything behind San Francisco be- Bike Pittsburgh, the city hired a bike/ “We do the bike infrastructure design
ing bike-friendly was because of the ped coordinator. Now the group for 50 to 70 percent of the city,” says
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition,” says finds the funds for bicyclist, create Bricker. “The goal is to get the city to
Bricker. Hoffman and Bricker joined community support and harness po- do this.” The city is making progress.
forces. Bricker used the advice of litical will. “We just partnered with They are developing a transportation
bicycle advocacy groups around the the city to place bike racks around plan that includes a bike/ped plan.”
country, like Chicago Land and the town – 200,” says Bricker. “We did
SFBC, to see how they got started and
lessons learned. Within Bricker’s first
“Without a doubt Pittsburgh has become a
year in Pittsburgh, Bike Pittsburgh up
was formed. Now the group is 1,500 better place to ride. Our numbers are
strong. increasing, and the percentage of incidents
At first, Bike Pittsburgh was is going down every year. We are expected
simply trying to provide what bicy- to be seen on the streets, there is media
clists needed in a limited amount of coverage, more racks and more bike lanes.
time. “There was no one working on We have a long way to go but it is a lot better
bike issues. No bike/ped coordina-
than we first started Bike Pittsburgh.”
tor, no map in 12 years,” says Bricker.
Encouragement maps, guides & signage
M aps, Guides and Signage

encourage people to
ride. Maps, guides and
signs show them the way but signs
also let bicyclists feel justified to be
on the city’s streets. Signage validates
their route.
Seattle
In the early 1980s, our now Gold
BFC Seattle, Wash. had a few recre-
ational bike routes around the city.
Things have changed drastically since
then.
Seattle Bicycle Map

Seattle publishes a free bike
map annually, distribution 40,000 to
60,000, and makes their map avail-
able in print and online. The SDOT
contracts with the Bicycle Alliance of
Washington, and the club distributes
the maps to anyone who requests
one. “The maps are so comprehensive
even drivers use them,” says Virginia
Coffman, Seattle Department of
Transportation
Annually, the SDOT does
a comprehensive update of the
map, since new bike facilities are
Portland’s simple, clear and
implemented ever year. To guarantee
innovative signing system is now
the map is accurate, the SDOT takes a model for other communities.
requests on the map via a form on
254 71
map, comments online and through
their bike/walk hotline. “After
listening to feedback from riders, we
made the maps more intuitive and
added additional information such as
bike shops, schools, libraries, farmers
markets, and streetcar and light rail M I L E S MILES
stations,” says Coffman. SEATTLE’S TOTAL TOTAL SIGNED
PROPOSED SYSTEM OF ROUTES INSTALLED
SIGNED ROUTES SINCE 2007
Encouragement maps, guides & signage
Seattle Signage
Seattle’s bicycle sign system
planning started years before the
bicycle master plan process to work
out the signage details and the system Development: The signage system Tips for communities
they would define. Seattle’s system was developed for a user group of starting out the process
relies on colloquial names of places people knowing landmarks but of developing a signed
and routes rather than numbered who don’t necessarily know the best bicycle route system:
routes Seattle used Chicago’s MUTCD streets to bike on. “The sign system
signage model to help develop the is the face of our bicycle network, 1) Start early. The Seattle plan-
system. “The signage changed a lot leading them through the structure,” ning process took 2 years.
and is now consistent with the 2009 says Coffman. “It’s not necessarily 2) Define the user group. Are
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control for tourists or for those entirely new users of the signs tourists
Devices (MUTCD),” says Coffman. to cycling. It’s for those comfortable or city residents, novice or
riding on a variety of systems” The experience bicyclists? This
Funding: Seattle’s bicycle system is destination based and influences both the routes
improvements are funded primarily indicates how far away users are from chosen for the signs and the
through local dollars via a voter destinations, where the destination is, sign content.
approved levy named Bridging the and the direction. Users have choices 3) Determine routes and route
Gap. This nine-year levy dedicates at intersecting routes. Not everyone types. Have a network of
funding for bicycle improvements uses all the info but it helps move routes already established
at approximately $4 million per them through the system. For more before putting out signs. Once
year. This funding supports new information on Seattle’s Bicycle Route a network is established, de-
on-street bicycle facilities, as Signage and protocol, visit seattle. termine what signs will best
well as maintenance. The levy is gov/transportation/docs/bmp/final/ serve the network.
complemented by a commercial AppendixG.pdf. 4) Choose destinations wisely. If
parking tax and an employee hours you’ve chosen a destination
tax. Visual Cues: Seattle’s Bike Dots, based sign system, designate
i For more information on pavement markings for signed destinations and organize
this, visit seattle.gov/transportation/ bicycle routes, are a tool to provide them into a hierarchy. This
BridgingtheGap.htm. wayfinding – graphic communication provides a sense of scale of
clues to help users navigate the city. the project.
The bike dots were adopted from 5) Learn from other cities. Many
Portland ‘s Bicycle Boulevard and cities have drafted guidelines
prove to be helpful on residential for sign implementation.
streets. For routes that weave through Bike along other city’s signed
neighborhood streets these “crumbs” routes.
reduces sign clutter while helping 6) Do a challenging pilot proj-
people transition from trails to streets ect. Implement signs in the
to residential routes. Green bike lanes most difficult part of the city
highlight areas where bicycles and first. The exercise made clear
cars cross paths, reminding people to where our process could be
stay alert. improved.
7) Have a maintenance plan.
Seattle, Wash.
Encouragement Game Changers
Lexington, Ky. residents now

enjoy 2nd Sunday events.
Ciclovia police escorted ride that city bicycle The event is also a platform to
The word “ciclovia,” technically coordinator Kenzie Gleason likens to showcase community programs that
a Spanish word meaning “bikepath,” “being at a really great concert where are positively affecting the commu-
is now firmly associated with the the crowd is really into it and having nity’s health, economy and environ-
Colombian city of Bogota. Thirty-five a good time, and what really stands ment and is proving an effective way
years ago, the city started a tradition out is how diverse the crowd is every of building a compelling case for
of temporarily opening a handful of year.” investment in trails, sidewalks, smart
city streets up to runners, walkers and Once a year, 2nd Sunday goes streets and parks.
cyclists on Sundays. Under Mayor statewide and encourages all forms Kentucky Governor Steven L.
Enrique Penalosa the event grew in of physical activity within communi- Beshear says “for too long Kentucky
size and international recognition – ties. On October 9, 2011 communi- has been labeled as one of the un-
including several cities in the United ties across Kentucky plan simulta- healthiest states in the country but
States. Known variously as Sunday neous open streets events from 2 now 2nd Sunday provides the state
Parkways, Open Streets or CicLAvia p.m. - 6 p.m. so residents can bike, with an opportunity to become a
(in Los Angeles, of course), these walk, run, play and enjoy all kinds national model for physical activity
events are bringing thousands of of fun and healthy activities. “2nd by implementing low-cost measures
people out to enjoy their community. Sunday is the catalyst for changing to improve the health of its citizens.”
the health of our Commonwealth More than 20,000 people in 101
2nd Sunday and our country,” says Jay McChord, counties across the Commonwealth
2nd Sunday, a version of Ciclo- a council member in the Lexington- participated in the 2009 event.
via in Lexington, Ky., is a monthly Fayette Urban County government.
Encouragement Game Changers
Travel Smart
International transportation con-
sultants SocialData Gmbh pioneered
the use of individualized market-
ing to give people the information
they needed to be able to use transit,
biking and walking for more of their
everyday trips instead of always driv-
ing. Bicycle use in Portland soared
with the introduction of their Smart-
Trips program, which followed this
model, and very effectively built on
existing infrastructure and education
programs.
BELLINGHAM, WASH.
Smart Trips is a BFC Bellingham,
Wash. program that encourages
its citizens to commute other ways
besides driving. Their motto Walk, Bellingham, Wash.
bike, share a ride, or ride the bus.
Make a difference anywhere you go,
is their message to get community “The Whatcom everybodyBIKE team hosted 20
members out of their cars. Partici- bicycle rodeo skills courses in 2010, this
pants record their Smart Trips on
results in 3,281 Whatcom County children
whatcomsmarttrips. com. Smart
Trips participants have prevented 43 receiving bicycle safety training!” - Facebook quote
tons of carbon monoxide from being
emitted since June 1, 2006!
Whatcom Smart Trips began July 1, That’s 29,075,160 miles not driven Bike Share Programs
2006. As of February 2011, 12,241 and ... When the city of Paris launched
Smart Trip makers have recorded: • 11,815.79 tons of carbon diox- the Velib’ program in the summer of
• 332,355 walking trips ide pollution avoided 2007, Mayors around the world sat
• 538,914 bus trips • 43.55 tons of hydrocarbons pol- up and took notice. No fewer than
• 519,289 bicycling trips lution avoided 20,000 stylish and distinctive bikes
• 458,517 ridesharing trips • 397.06 tons of carbon monox- were placed in over 1,000 docking
ide pollution avoided stations across the city to provide a
Confident
4111 Bakerview Spur
Bellingham, WA 98226
www.RideWTA.com City Cycling • 30.42 tonsBikeofAccording
Cycling is Fun and Functional
nitrogen oxides
to Traffic Laws
Bicycling is a great way to get around town. Learn to share the road
confidently and safely with vehicles, pedestrians and other cyclists
Bicycles are legally defined as vehicles. By obeying traffic laws,
cyclists can avoid the most serious bicycle/car crashes. Just like
unique bike transit system. Almost
avoided overnight, the city was transformed
(360) 676-RIDE by reviewing the information in this brochure and by participating in motorists, cyclists who disobey traffic laws are subject to penalty
everybodyBIKE educational activities. fines. Be sure to observe these key traffic laws for road cycling:
Tips for safe cycling
Find out about Bike Buddies, Bicycle Skills Rodeos for kids, Com- • Ride in the same direction as motor traffic
in Bellingham and
• .17 tons of particulate matter as thousands of trips a day were made
munity Bike Rides, Full Cycle Classes, traffic laws, and more at • Stop at stop signs and traffic signals
Whatcom County everybodyBIKE.com or call 671-BIKE. • Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and yield to people walking
on trails
• Do not ride on sidewalks in Bellingham and Fairhaven business
(PM10) avoided by ordinary Parisiens going about

Whatcom Smart Trips districts
314 East Champion Street • Do not use headphones or other electronic devices while cycling
Bellingham, Washington 98225 on roads or trails
www.WhatcomSmartTrips.org
• 1,212,434 gallons of gasoline their business. Modeled on other

(360) 756-TRIP
saved successful programs, the Paris bike

sharing program allows users to ride
i For more information, visit info@ free for the first 30 minutes with esca-
everybodyBIKE is the bicycle education
program for Whatcom Smart Trips, helping
you make more of your daily short trips by
bicycling, walking or sharing rides.
everybodybike.com. lating charges for longer trips.

everybodyBIKE helps people of all ages to
cycle comfortably, safely and more often.
For more information, contact us at:
Whatcom Smart Trips

314 East Champion Street,
Bellingham, Washington
98225
www.everybodyBIKE.com
info@everybodyBIKE.com
Bellingham, Wash.
(360) 671-BIKE
B-cycle launch, San Antonio, Texas
Bike Sharing in the U.S.

In August 2008, the District of
Columbia (a bronze BFC) became Capitol BikeShare, Washington, D.C.
the first jurisdiction in North Amer-
ica to launch a “large” bike-sharing
system. Smart-Bike D.C. offered 120 “It is not only bikesharing, it is a new bike
bikes at 10 stations in the business transportation network. The installation of
district and 1,600 people joined dur- bike lanes, bike signals and now this bikeshare
ing its two years of operation. Neigh-
program will provide people with safer routes
boring silver-level BFC Arlington
County, Va. was working on its own throughout the city.” - Gabe Klein, Director, Washington, D.C. DOT
plans for and in 2010 the two juris-
dictions worked together to launch
the Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) progam
with more than 1,100 bikes and 114
stations available 24/7. “I really don’t San Antonio, Boston, New York City, Members must be over 16 years of
think we can add stations fast enough Chicago and San Francisco are ready- age. When you join you receive a key.
to match the demand and incredible ing for their launches. Montreal’s Before the key can unlock a bike, it
enthusiasm for Capital Bikeshare,” Bixi system is the largest program in must be activated by logging in to
according to Gabe Klein, director of North America. an account at CapitalBikeshare.com.
the District Department of Transpor- For those without internet access,
tation. “It is not only bikesharing, it is How it Works there is a hotline to purchase mem-
a new bike transportation network,” The Capital Bikeshare stations bership. If users only want to use a
says Klein. “The installation of bike are solar-powered and modular to Capital Bikeshare bike occasionally,
lanes, bike signals and now this bike- allow for easy installation. Each sta- 24-hour membership are available for
share program will provide people tion consists of a variable number of $5 by using the kiosk located at each
with safer routes throughout the city docking ports of the bikes based on Capital Bikeshare station. The first 30
and into Arlington ” demand, plus a kiosk for the purchase minutes of each trip are free. After
Large scale programs now of 24-hour memberships. There is the first 30 minutes, usage fees are
exist on the ground in Minneapolis also a two-sided information panel charged.
and Denver – two cities that hosted which displays a local and regional
1,000-bike systems during the map of the service and usage instruc-
Republican and Democratic conven- tions. Captial Bikeshare offers an-
tions in 2008 – and cities including nual or 30-day memberships online.
zone, avoiding debris, potholes tions where a cyclist is considered
and other obstructions), explic- to be “impeding traffic”.
itly including those situations
where it is appropriate to control With a good set of laws and
the travel lane – for example, regulations in place, the next key
when the travel lane is too nar- issue is enforcement. Law enforce-
row to share with a motor vehicle ment officers must understand these
• There should be no additional laws, know how to enforce them, and
fter eight years of the BFC mandates on the part of the apply them equitably to ensure public
program, we can quite roadway a cyclist should or safety. There are a limited number of
categorically say that this should not use, or bans from training courses available to help with
element of the program public roads (with the exception this, as well as the League’s own Traf-
needs the greatest amount of im- of limited access roadways where fic Skills 101 classes that can be ben-
provement at the state and local level. alternative routes are available) eficial for law enforcement personnel.
In the application process, we are • Motorists must be required to Simple communication with
looking for evidence that the entire pass a cyclist with a defined clear- law enforcement is also key. Having
judicial system – from laws and regu- ance distance that reflects “due the participation of the police on a
lations through law enforcement and care”. This distance may increase bicycle advisory committee or bicycle
through the court system – achieves with higher speeds and motorists plan steering committee, for example,
three important goals: should be able to cross the cen- helps increase awareness on both
1. Protecting the rights of cyclists to terline of a roadway to facilitate sides. Similarly, having police officers
operate legally on the roads this safe passing (or be expected on bikes helps increase understand-
2. Protecting cyclists against care- to wait until it is safe to pass) ing of cyclists’ issues, even though it
less, reckless or dangerous driv- • Penalties that establish a true isn’t done for purpose of traffic law
ing, and deterrent should be established enforcement or bike safety.
3. Ensuring cyclists themselves fol- for careless, dangerous and reck- We have never shied away from
low the rules and operate safely less driving that causes injury the appropriate enforcement of traffic
or death to a cyclist. Deliberate laws on cyclists. There are a handful
Ultimately, we want to reward harassment of cyclists should be a of critical behaviors that contribute
those communities that treat cyclists specific offence mightily to motor vehicle/bicycle
equitably and don’t discriminate • Equipment rules affecting lights, crashes and enforcement should play
against people because they choose brakes, trailers and other attach- a part in reducing wrong way riding
to ride – and we want to point every ments should reflect current (especially on the sidewalk), running
state and community towards that technology and reality – hel- stop lights, and riding without lights
goal. That process starts with having mets should not be mandatory; after dark.
sound laws, regulations, ordinances registration programs are only One trend that we especially like
and state/city codes that govern appropriate for recovery of stolen is the increasing use by the court
cycling and motoring. State and lo- bikes, and system of traffic diversion programs.
cal vehicle codes are so varied and • Regulations governing the Cyclists and motorists who have
nuanced that we “judge” the legal smooth and safe flow of traffic committed moving violations can
framework for cycling against a series should address cyclists’ issues be given a sentence that includes at-
of key principles: (e.g. cars should not be allowed tending classes that teach them about
• Cyclists should have the same to stop or park in bike lanes) and traffic and cyclist safety – sometimes
legal status and basic rights and reflect the unique characteristics even a modified Traffic Skills 101
responsibilities as the operator of of bicyclists (i.e. allowing right class.
a motor vehicle turn signal by extending the
• Cyclists must be able to exercise right arm). This latter principle
their reasonable judgment as to is particularly important when
where it is safe to operate on the attempting to define those situa-
roadway (i.e. outside the door
Enforcement Strong Laws
B
asic laws and regulations
are necessary to govern
bicycling and the rules of
the road that must then be
backed up by enforcement.
Maryland’s 2009 crash data
revealed that 10 cyclists were killed
and more than 650 bicyclists were
injured that year. This data awoke
Maryland’s lawmakers. They knew
they needed to implement laws that
would reaffirm the rights of cyclists.
Carol Silldorff, the Executive Di-
rector of Bike Maryland works on
Maryland’s Legislative agenda with
groups like Triple AAA, Chesapeake
Bay Foundation, 1000 Friends of
“We are in the process of following up with
Maryland, and the League of Conser-
vation Voters. Together they passed police departments, including the state police,
several new laws – effective October to ensure that the officers are aware of the
1, 2010 – to increase the safety, rights law and are comfortable with enforcing the
and funding for bicyclists. These laws law. Bike Delaware sets up safety checkpoints
promote further funding through a with the State Police and DelDOT to educate
Transportation Transparency Bill,
cyclists and motorists about bicycle-related
establishment of a Blue Ribbon Com-
mission on Maryland Transportation laws.” - Amy Wilbrun, the Delaware Bicycle Council
Funding, and a Funding for Bike/Ped
Access bill. They also passed a 3-foot
the law. To maintain the legitimacy sible.” Bike Maryland maintains a
passing law and the Shoulder Rule
of the laws, Silldorff emphasizes the presence in Annapolis at the General
Bill.
importance in “finding leaders who Assembly where they can raise aware-

are willing to support change, meet- ness of the need for infrastructure
Carol Silldorff at Carol@bikemd.org
ing with friends of elected officials to improvements, education and safety
visit bikemd.org.
make connections – especially with legislation.
However, even after bills pass, ad-
folks in opposition, and partnering
vocates and groups must constantly
with other groups whenever pos-
challenge incorrect interpretations of
“In the US, 48% percent of fatalities are Bicycling Laws
from people driving too fast. There’s a stark Delaware & the Steps
difference between injuries that occur in a from Start to Finish
crash at 20 mph and a crash at 30 mph.” - BTA blog.
Delaware has a number of bills on
the books to protect cyclists’ rights:
the Vulnerable Users Bill; an updated
Vulnerable Road Users - cept is based around the exponential
statewide engineering guideline
Oregon increase in fatalities that happens
thanks to Bike Delaware; a Complete
According to Rob Sadowsky, the with an increase in speed beyond 20
Streets policy for all road construc-
Executive Director of the Bicycle mph. So with a legal change in the
tion projects; and, soon, a Safe Pass-
Transportation Alliance, “Oregon Oregon default speed limits from 25
ing Law.
has some of the strongest bicycle to 20 mph, infrastructure changes, in-
1. To pass these bike bills, the Del-
laws on the books.” Oregon was the creased marketing and an education
aware Bicycle Council works
first state to pass a Vulnerable Road effort, this campaign hopes to achieve
with DelDOT to perfect the bill’s
User Law in 2007. This law increased zero transportation-related fatalities.
language.
penalties to motorists that caused Sadowsky spoke proudly of Oregon’s
2. They find a legislator to
serious injury or death to a bicyclist, Safe Distance Passing law, expanding
champion the bill. The process
pedestrian or other ‘vulnerable road on other states’ more common 3-foot
continues as the Bike Council
user.’ The law was successful because laws. For Oregon, “‘safe distance’
and attorney general follow the
it “started with a good concept that means a distance that is sufficient to
bill through committee, submit-
can be defended by data,” explains prevent contact with the person op-
ting letters of supports from
Scott Bricker, formerly of BTA and erating the bicycle if the person were
local bike clubs, and drawing on
now Campaign Manager at America to fall into the driver’s lane of traffic.”
advocates of the bill.
Walks. It targets careless driving The BTA is also working to imple-
3. Open relationships with the
crashes that were previously not ment a Fair Share for Safety, which
police department. The local
prosecuted as crimes. There was would require that states designate a
departments create briefings to
initial opposition from the district percentage of funding to bicycling that
read at roll call. They also teach
attorney and legislators about financ- is proportional to the percent of traffic
officers how to enforce the new
ing, prison issues and the constitu- fatalities involving bicycles. In order
laws and awareness programs
tionality of the bill. However, BTA to help pass and campaign for these
for motorists and cyclists.
worked closely with the Department bills, BTA partners with Willamette
4. Partner with the DMV. The Vul-
of Justice, a number of key legislators Pedestrian Coalition, AAA, Oregon
nerable User Bill created partner-
and committee staff to secure hear- truckers association, personal injury
ships with Delaware’s DMV. They
ings, get votes, and overcome these attorneys and public health advocates
are working to influence driver
obstacles. interested in injury prevention.
education courses and manuals
Sadowsky is leading BTA towards
and to form a stronger relation-
a less technical focus on Oregon Rob Sadowsky, Rob@bta4bikes.org or
ship with state police.
enforcement to create momentum visit www.bta4bikes.org.
around crash reduction. BTA is part- i For more information, visit
nering with advocacy groups around deldot.gov/information/community_
the country to adopt a Vision Zero programs_and_services/bike.
Strategy. This European-based con-
Enforcement tARGETED eNFORCEMENT
Davis, California
Targeted enforcement affects
officers’ time and resources and is
based on specific travel modes, loca-
tions or behaviors. This more focused
targeting of discretions is intended
to reduce the number of crashes and
fatalities, especially involving vulner-
able road users. Davis, Calif.’s police
department has adopted this model
of enforcement through educational
programs, community involvement
and crash statistics.
“Fix-It tickets” have been a suc-
cessful program where enforcement
gives a warning ticket to cyclists,
letting them know that they need to
get a safety addition, such as a light
or helmet, for their bike. These tickets
can then be used at local bike shops
Corvallis and Collegiate that can help narrow enforcement to get 10 percent off the needed item.
Enforcement resources down to specific areas, As Tara Goddard, Davis’ Bicycle Co-
With a 22 percent bicycle mode times and even discretions. The city ordinator confirms, “Davis enforce-
share and almost 1/3 of the popula- has partnered with Safe Routes to ment’s emphasis on education has
tion made up of students, Corvallis, School and the school district for been very important, and we consider
Ore. deliberately uses targeted en- direct enforcement in school zones to it a success.” For instance, officers run
forcement resources to keep cyclists protect student commuters and target bicycle stops that serve as educational
in the city safe. Every September as multi-modal zones in the city. Wood tools, offering warnings to cyclists
a new Oregon State University class believes it is the strong relationship that are committing discretions. The
arrives on campus, the police have a between schools and enforcement city has also adopted an educational
push to educate students on the rules that makes their police department campaign called Street Smarts to ad-
of the road. Lieutenant Cord Wood so effective and, thus, Corvallis a safe dress traffic problems at their source.
from the Corvallis Police Depart- place for cyclists. Street Smarts is a traffic calming
ment believes the success of their i For more information, con- program with events and the citizen-
enforcement program comes from tact Joe Whinnery at joe.whinnery@ based Pace Car program to calm
their tracking system. Corvallis uses ci.corvallis.or.us or Lieutenant Cord traffic and instill the laws of the road.
a “quarterly record of bicycle and Wood, cord.wood@ci.corvallis.or.us
pedestrian crash statistics to analyze
any spikes and designate enforcement
resources accordingly,” says Wood. “Rather than framing the class as a punitive
The city also keeps a direct patrol measure, we make it an informative and
list generated weekly by commu- educational experience.”
nity and police officer observation, - Sheila Foraker, Pima County Bike Ambassador Project Manager
Davis also targets efforts in schools, “The biggest hurdle to getting a diversion
including UC Davis, with the start of program is having the courts sign off on it and
the school year as an opportune time informing ticketed cyclists of their right to
to educate students, focusing on the take a class designed specifically for cy-
most common discretions.
i For more information,
clists. any community could offer a diversion

contact Tara Goddard at tgoddard@ program for ticketed cyclists.”
cityofdavis.org or or David Takemoto- - Wes Robinson, Director of Education at the Austin Cycling
Weerts at dltakemotoweerts@ucdavis.
edu.
Department, City Prosecutor and component and brief parking lot
Diversion Program – local Legislature. They started this drills. The city, police department
Pima County diversion program within the Tucson and advocacy groups kicked off their
With nearly 200 students each and soon expanded it to all of Pima diversion program by offering share
month, Pima County’s Diversion County, including the University the road material and promoting free
program is quickly and effectively of Arizona campus. Sheila Foraker, Traffic Skills classes. The bicycle com-
spreading the message of bicycle the Pima County Bike Ambassador munity ensured awareness through-
safety and the importance of the Project Manager, emphasized the out the law enforcement community
law. This educational program offers importance of using classes to teach by educating officers and finding a
traffic offenders an alternative to students what their rights and ex- champion in the police department.
going through the court system. The pectations are as a cyclist in order to i For more information, contact
program began when Pima County’s adequately explain why they received Sheila Foraker, education@perimeter-
Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordina- the ticket and how to not get ticketed bicycling.com or visit http://bikeped.
tor started openly talking about bike again. pima.gov.
enforcement with the Tucson Police The class is a modified 4-hour
Traffic Skills 101, with a classroom
Diversion Program – Austin

Austin began teaching one of the nation’s first monthly Defensive Cycling classes, developed
by the Center for Cycling Education (CCE), this year in cooperation with the City of Austin Mu-
nicipal Court. The course draws attention not only to the rules of the road but the importance
in obeying these laws in order to develop a sense of responsibility in cyclists. They have been
a success thus far – filling up all of the 15 student classes offered. Allan Dunlop, the Direc-
tor of CCE, explains that the curriculum draws on the behavioral psychology of cyclists, and
has even evoked the reaction “I’m glad I was ticketed.” A certificate from this course serves as
dismissal from a bicycle citation. The course, taught by League Cycling Instructors, educates
students on how to be a safe, defensive cyclist, emphasizing the importance of obeying traf-
fic laws. The licensing and curriculum are being modified and spread to other communities
around the country. Dunlop believes that “there’s an opportunity to not only provide cyclists
throughout North America with a court diversion program option, but more importantly, to
give them practical skills they can implement immediately to help make themselves safer on
our roads.”
i For more information, contact Wes Robinson at wrobinson@jsitel.com or

visit www.biketexas.org.
guiding principle of the
BFA programs, from the
outset, has been the desire
to ensure that recipients
of a designation didn’t simply take
the accolade and stop what they have
been doing to promote bicycling.
That thinking is behind the bronze-
silver-gold-platinum graded ratings,
and it helps explain the importance
we attach to the feedback we provide
to every applicant. The other way in
which we try to ensure continued
forward progress is in the “evaluation”
section of the program.
Anyone who has read about New
York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg,
or seen him in action, knows that
he embodies the principle of being
data-driven – this characteristic is the
hallmark of successful businesses,
non-profits, and governments. New
York City established an ambitious
target of getting 200 miles of bicycle
infrastructure installed in a two-year
time frame: they measured it and
got it done. They dissected their
bicyclist crash problem in a detailed
study and started addressing the
root problems – which also made life
better for pedestrians and motorists,
as it turns out! And they kept counts
of how many people were cycling
so they could see if they were con-
tinuing to make progress. These last
two measurements – the number of
cyclists out there and the incidence
of crashes – are fundamental bench-
marks for any entity wanting to be
bicyclist-friendly.
Data on bicycle use and crashes and recreational riding, is essential for ... and always about building broader
is, nonetheless, rather limited. The government agencies and universi- support for making bike-friendly
US Census Bureau now has annual ties, and an equivalent strategic plan changes.
journey to work data for many com- or sustainability plan can transform a We reserve a special place at
munities, but we have been able business. the end of every BFA application
to encourage a lot of communities Overseeing implementation of for applicants to say why they think
to begin their own, more detailed, such a plan and all the activities that they deserve recognition and what
travel surveys and counts to better make up a bicycle friendly commu- they think they need to do next to
document what’s going on. Similarly, nity or entity is a key task of a Bicycle keep momentum going. That self-
crash data from state and national Advisory Committee or task force. assessment provides a unique insight
sources is very limited and focused on Identifying people who can take on into the mindset of the applicants
fatalities – hence the need for more a challenge, oversee its implementa- and helps confirm for the review-
in-depth local analyses crashes and tion, hold each other accountable, ers whether a business, community,
crash trends that can reveal issues and balance the big picture with day state or university is sitting on past
that need to be addressed. The Tuc- to day implementation is at the heart achievements, feeling entitled to the
son region, for example, took to heart of such an advisory group and helps designation, or is committed to really
their serious crash record and have overcome the common challenge pressing forward and improving con-
studied it with the law enforcement faced by the one “bicycle contact” ditions for bicyclists and bicycling.
community to develop an action plan who can’t possibly be responsible for
that will propel them towards their all the elements of a comprehensive
ultimate goal: platinum! bike-friendly program in one place or
Another truism from the busi- company.
ness world applies to the BFA: Peter Bicycling is a big and broad issue
Drucker’s famous quote that “If you with a lot of different facets that need
don’t know where you are going, to be pulled together and coordi-
any plan will do!” The best bicycle- nated – the plan and the advisory
friendly communities and businesses group can help make that happen. An
have a plan and they know where advocacy group or movement helps
they are headed. A master plan helps ensure the political pressure is there
take stock of where a community when the difficult funding, planning
is, lays out a vision for where they and policy decisions have to be made
want to be, and identifies the steps by the decision-makers – politicians,
necessary to get from here to there CEOs, Chancellors – and are heavily
– including an assessment of who influenced by the media. Over the
needs to be involved along the way. past two or three years, we’ve come
That’s not rocket science and yet it to recognize the value at the state
is a significant undertaking that can and local level of a Bike Summit:
yield tremendous progress. Having sometimes focused on elected offi-
a current, funded plan for on- and cials, other times more on the techni-
off-road bicycling, for transportation cal and implementation side of things
Evaluation Bike Master Plan
A
Bike Master Plan (BMP) a 10-year transportation plan that
is the foundation of a suc- addresses a full range of transporta-
cessful Bicycle Friendly tion options and issues. One of the
Community, without it six components of the plan was for
progress is difficult. It is a compre- the city to develop a bicycle master
hensive planning document which plan. The actual drafting of the plan Minneapolis, Minn.
typically sets a community on a five-, began in 2008 and is currently in its
10-, 20-, or 30-year course to develop draft phase undergoing public review
goals, objectives, benchmarks, perfor- and will then be presented to the city
mance measures and to identify re- council for approval. Don Pflaum,
sponsible agencies for suggested bike Transportation Planner for the City Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC).
Minneapolis, MN
initiatives. A BMP may also suggest and chief organizer of the Master “The advocate community has a lot
policy changes to help support bicy- Plan believes it will be complete and more buy-in because they were able
cling. In the end, it is ideal to have all passed by the council by May 2011, to play a big role in its development,
five Es addressed in the plan – engi- making it a two and a half year com- also making the plan more bal-
neering, education, encouragement, mitment. “It’s all about making sure anced and appealing to the public.”
enforcement and evaluation – so that we are covering all the different Es Pflaum emphasized the importance
bicycling is consistently addressed as a – just as you have to have a well-bal- of working with the BAC, “We used
safe and viable transportation option. anced diet to stay healthy, you have to the BAC as sort of a clearing house of
the public comments. Cooperation,
compromise and willingness to work
“It’s all about making sure we are covering all with others is a key component of a
the different E’s. you have to have a well- successful plan.”
balanced plan to make a successful Bicycle The plan was organized by
Pflaum with much volunteer effort
Friendly Community.
through the BAC – an excellent way
- Don Pflaum, Minneapolis Transportation Planner and chief organizer of the BMP to keep costs down. The BAC was
organized and has responded well to
Communities throughout the have a well-balanced plan to make a the need for input and feedback, “the
country are developing BMPs to help successful Bicycle Friendly Commu- Committee created subcommittees
lay the foundation for bicycle infra- nity. It’s better to take a bit longer and to research and assist certain tasks,”
structure and initiatives. It has proven get it right than having to do it again adds Murphy. Information was then
to be a valuable resource to help build in another couple of years.” One of synthesized by Pflaum to create a
relationships between community the key objectives is to create regional comprehensive look at current and
organizations and local officials, equity – connecting various part of future bicycle infrastructure and
encourage compromise, increase the city that typically get overlooked policy within Minneapolis.
cooperation, build consensus, and and underfunded. Having a BMP enables a com-
create a public and transparent pro- According to Shaun Murphy, the munity to effectively and efficiently
cess for bicycle progress. The Min- Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot communicate the needs of bicyclists,
neapolis Bike Master Plan is a model Coordinator for the City of Minneap- establish guidelines, and set priori-
plan. The plan started with a recom- olis, one of the key factors in develop- ties. Each community is unique and
mendation from Access Minneapolis, ing the plan was cooperation with the so too is their approach to creat-
MINNEAPOLIS
BIKE MASTER PLAN
The draft Bicycle Master Plan
for Minneapolis, Minn. covers it
all and is on track to become one
Washington, D.C. of the best.
• 178-page document
• Includes bicycle policy, existing
conditions, a needs analysis,
ing a BMP. Some hire independent for Producing and Implementing a
prioritized projects and initia-
consultants to help create the plan Bicycle Master Plan (2009) in con-
tives, and funding strategies.
and determine what is needed for a junction with The National Center
• Organized into eight chapters.
comprehensive and accessible bicycle for Biking and Walking. Lagerway,
• Includes:
network; others use internal staff or now senior planner with Toole De-
• Intro
volunteers such as a BAC. Still there sign, beautifully dissects the process
• bicycling history
are others that use a combination of of creating a BMP into three phases:
• policy framework, goals/
any of the three approaches. What is before the Plan, developing the BMP,
objectives/benchmarks
important when creating a BMP is and implementing the Plan. Included
• needs analysis,
that it results in a clear set of recom- are photos from successful Bicycle
• project identification/ pri-
mendations that will make your com- Friendly Communities across the
oritization
munity more bicycle-friendly. country, a suggested timeline, tips on
• funding
Partnership is critical, if the BMP selecting the right consultant, and
is not written in consultation with evaluation criteria for a BMP. Lager-
i Read more at ci.minneapolis.
e
local government, transportation way’s guide is available on-line and
mn.us/bicycles/bicycle-plans.asp
officials, local advocacy groups, and can be downloaded for free.
other area stakeholders, the plan will While developing a BMP is a
be of little use. The BMP end result is critical step in creating a roadmap for
not only a valuable resource but the bicycle progress within your com-
process of its creation is invaluable. munity, the more important step to
Along the way there will be beneficial consider is its implementation. This
partnerships created that will assist is where the value of the relationships
throughout the implementation of and partnerships created between
the plan and beyond. governing officials and bicycle-inter-
There are many good Bike Master est groups come into play.
Plans available to view on-line and
this is a great place to start to become
more familiar with what makes a
Master Plan effective and success-
ful. Another key resource is Peter
Lagerway’s Creating a Roadmap
Evaluation Bicycle Advisory Committee
with the city and county and pur-

posefully wanted to remain autono-
mous of these governing entities to
avoid conflict of interest.
Oakland’s Bicycle/Pedestrian
Advisory Committee (often times
bicycle and pedestrian efforts are
A
combined) is now 15 years running
Bicycle Advisory Com- and has had success working with the
3. To perform a watchdog role on city. They have helped the city devel-
mittee/Council (BAC) is project and policy implementa-
a critical component of a op design guidelines for way-finding
tion. signs, assisted with the city’s creation
successful Bicycle Friendly
Community and can play an impor- of parking rack guidelines based on
One of the major issues confront- 12 to 14 years of data, helped create
tant role in helping local officials cre- ing Madison in 2009 was the discon-
ate, implement, and prioritize bicycle an Oakland bikeways map, and an
nectedness among the greater Madi- interactive Google map.
programs, facilities, and policies. son bicycle community. “We saw a i For more information, visit
There are various ways a commu- huge opportunity to bring together
nity can go about creating their BAC. oaklandpw.com/Page124.asps.
representatives from all Madison-area
Typically it is a citizen based organi- bicycling interests to keep everyone
zation rather than an extension of the Bicycle Friendly Business
updated on what the different groups Bike Coordinator
local government, helping to create a were doing and figure out how we
more autonomous organization im- Similar to a Bicycle Advisory
can work in partnership,” said White. Committee/Council for a community
mune to political changes. Since it is What resulted was the Greater
typically not recognized as an official is the Bicycle Coordinator for a busi-
Madison Bicycle Advisory Council, ness. The position can be a volunteer,
member of the governing council, which has taken a regional approach
the committee can act independent part-time, or full-time position; the
and extended their scope beyond city more time a coordinator is able to
of procedural requirements, have limits. “Planning can’t be done in a
broader participation, and also act as dedicate to bicycle related programs
vacuum, so we had to make it more and initiatives, the stronger the busi-
a watchdog on governing policy and of a regional effort.” The group works
project implementation. An effective
BAC ensures an opportunity for pub-
lic input into bicycle related projects,
programs, and policy.
According to Jason Patton, Bicy-
cle and Pedestrian Program Manager
for the city of Oakland, and Amanda
White, Chair of the Greater Madison
Bicycle Advisory Council and Associ-
ate Director of the Bicycle Federation
of Wisconsin, there are three major
roles a BAC plays in assisting local
officials:
1. To provide a consensus build-
ing approach to public input on
bicycle related programs, policies
and projects.
2. To act as a review panel on Madison, Wis.
bicycle-related proposals
ness’s bicycle community. Typically
this role is designated to an employee
in human resources, transportation
management, or health and wellness;
however, it is more advantageous to
have a bicycle commuter fill this role
than to force a non-commuter to
accept the responsibilities. Most im-
portant is to have a coordinator who
is already plugged into the bicycle Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin Executive Director Kevin Hardman (center), ac-
community and knows other cyclists companied by Trek Bicycle President John Burke (right) and State Representa-
in the office. tive Spencer Black (D-Madison, left) at the Wisconsin Bicycle Summit.
Dave Dusatko of PayPal, a
Bronze level BFB, was approached by
the human resources department to STATE BIKE SUMMITS
ask if he was interested in organiz- Many states and communities are finding bike summits to be catalysts
ing a bike commuter challenge run for pursuing a designation through the League’s Bicycle Friendly America
by Activate Omaha, the local bike programs. In addition to receiving credit in the bicycle-friendly application
advocacy organization. “HR knew I for these events, Bike Summits also act as a region-wide bicycle-friendly mo-
was a known champion for bicycling tivator. “The bike summit is the best opportunity to pull everyone together,
and I was happy to take the role of to take stock of what we have done and to chart how we move our state
Bicycle Coordinator.” Although it is towards becoming one of the world’s best places to be on a bicycle.” Says
a volunteer position, Dusatko feels Kevin Hardman of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.
supported by the senior executives of They inspire community momentum and encourage states and commu-
PayPal. “The company is very sup- nities to work towards a bicycle-friendly designation and/or move up award
portive. Everyone from the security levels. Kevin McCurran, who was a lead organizer for Grand Rapids, Mich.’s
administration, facilities depart- first Bike Summit in 2009, says, “Bike summits are really about organizing
ment, and Green Team support the around your area’s larger bicycling goals and building movement around
office bicyclists and they are very them. There is a lot of detailed work before the event but the affirmation of
responsive to suggestions for im- interest and widespread value of these goals keeps the process moving.”
provements.” Dusatko’s efforts have i For more information, visit the Wisconsin Bike Federation online at
led to a major increase in commuter www.bfw.org.
challenge mileage and participation,
the first year 1,500 miles were ridden, GRAND RAPIDS BIKE SUMMIT
only two years later PayPal racked up Grand Rapids’ Bike Summit brought in two keynote speakers – Bicycle
9,900 miles! Dusatko’s contributions Friendly America Program Director Bill Nesper and Alta Planning + Design
extend well beyond the commuter Transportation Planner Ann Friewald for national perspectives. However,
challenge; he has also helped organize they had plenty of space for local issues. City planners spoke about build-
the PayPal Bike Club which in turn ing a bike plan, state bike coordinator spoke, and mountain bike advocates
has provided in-house maintenance discussed what was going on with their community.
on employee bikes, raffle drawings “There had been lots of events involving bicycling in Grand
during Bike to Work, and increased Rapids, but this was the first one solely focusing on advocacy,”
bike parking. “Cycling has quickly says Kevin McCurran, who was a lead organizer for Grand Rapids,
become part of our corporate culture Michigan’s first Bike Summit in 2009. “We made sure to include
at the Omaha, Neb. location.” as many issues and voices as we could.”
i For more information, contact i For more information on Grand Rapid’s summit, visit
Dave Dusatko at ddusatko@paypal.com. pedalgr.com/2009/04/28/first-gr-bike-summit-a-success.
Evaluation dATA cOLLECTION
A n important consideration
when developing your
evaluation initiatives is
a plan for data collection. The BFC
application asks for the American
Community Survey, Journey to Work
Data, a number that represents a
community’s percentage of citizens
that use their bicycle as their primary
mode of transportation to work. The
most recently collected statistics was
in 2009. Annual estimates are available
for geographic areas with populations
of 65,000 or more.
Today, the percentage of Ameri- Alta Planning + Design staff created the National
Bike and Pedestrian Documentation Program.
cans biking to work is .55 percent.
BFC designated cities have on average
about twice the percentage of com-
muters as non-BFC cities. The Bicycle the available resources for bicycles using ECO Counter and MetroCount.
Friendly Business application asks and create more? The simple answer “We realized we needed more data,
what the commuter rate is within is that you have to justify your case – we needed to be able to justify the
the business. We rely on businesses which means you need to know how facilities bicyclists need.” Arlington
conducting their own bike counts to many people ride their bikes. initially used the National Bike and
provide this answer. Arlington, Va., a Silver level Pedestrian Documentation Project,
BFC, started doing bike counts two co-sponsored by Alta Planning +
That Which Isn’t Counted, years ago and today is investing even Design, and the Institute of Transpor-
Doesn’t Count more to continue and expand their tation Engineers (ITE) Pedestrian and
Collecting baseline data is a key methods. David Patton, Bicycle & Bicycle Council (available on-line)
component of the BFC and BFB Pedestrian Planner of Arlington to help organize and coordinate their
Evaluation section. As we all know, County Division of Transportation, efforts.
resources for bike projects can be organized Arlington’s first volunteer i For more information contact
scarce, so how does a community or based bike counts in 2008 and has David Goodman at dgoodman@
business determine how to prioritize since invested in electronic counters arlingtonva.us.
Greenville, SC did the same and
also realized the benefit of using a
“We realized we needed more data.
nation-wide bike counting system
We needed to be able to justify the that provides a consistent model of
facilities bicyclists need.” data collection. Arlington and Green-
- David Patton, Bicycle & Pedestrian Planner, Arlington Co. Division of Transportation ville solicited the help of volunteers.
e
MIT, Lincoln Lab
Lincoln, Mass.
At a show of hands early in the seminars, about 90 percent of the attendees

said they had no college training in these issues, and 80 percent had not
attended a seminar about it. It was clear from the attendance and the
informal poll that these seminars were filling a need in Illinois.
Workshops were organized to educate Using the Data being used the most by cyclists. This
the volunteers and distribute material In Greenville, the city relates the has resulted in a $50,000 grant from
for the counts. Volunteers observed bike count data to crash statistics. Green Link to improve bicycle facili-
and counted cyclists in two hour “Overlap of high use rates and high ties around transit routes.
stretches – locations included paths, crash rates is a red flag that we need The Arlington bike count data
streets with bike facilities, and streets to evaluate an area and improve showed that during a major snow
without bike facilities. Weekday it,” said Meeker. Crash rates are an storm trail usage went down to zero
counts were made from 7-9 am and important statistic to know and can because trails were not passable.
weekend counts were conducted from be a tricky one to collect. Many times Patton is now armed with a wealth
10-12 am. This helped distinguish a crash is only reported if there is an of statistics to make the case that the
commuters from recreational cyclists. injury, damage to a bike, or damage trial system is used as transportation
Today Arlington is developing a da- to a car. Greenville has incorporated corridor and therefore should receive
tabase to help process the counts into crash studies as a piece of their Mas- the same priority as streets in terms
presentable tables, timelines, charts, ter Plan. They are coordinating with of snow removal, maintenance, and
and graphs – tools to build a con- Greenville’s Department of Public funding. “The data has validated the
vincing argument that bike facilities Safety and Department of Health and bicycle facilities,” adds Patton. The
are needed. Andrew Meeker, Urban Environment. There will also be ad- county is responding well and has
Designer for the city of Greenville, ditional training to the police depart- budgeted $100,000 to buy 14 addi-
is thrilled with the counting system. ment and county sheriff on how to tional pieces of counter equipment
“Our objective was to really nail properly record, log and report bike and pay for installation for the com-
down the true mode share of bicycles, crash data. ing year.
once we had that baseline data then Greenville’s transit agency Green i For more information
we could start evaluating our efforts Link is now tracking bikes on buses contact Andrew Meeker at
to increase bicycling.” to help determine what routes are ameeker@greenvillesc.gov.
What Can
AMERICAN
You Do?
THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS
The League of American Bicyclists, founded in 1880 as
the League of American Wheelmen, promotes bicycling
for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through
T
advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.
The League represents the interests of the nation’s 57
million bicyclists. With a current membership of 300,000
affiliated cyclists, including 25,000 individuals and 700
here is a lot that goes into making your community, business, state organizations, the League works to bring better bicycling
or university a better place for bicyclists. In the preceding pages, to your community. Contact League officers, directors or
staff at League of American Bicyclists, 1612 K Street, NW,
we’ve documented what we believe are the most critical and influ-
Suite 800, Washington, DC 20006-2850, 202-822-1333;
ential elements in that process. We have created the Bicycle Friendly America bikeleague@bikeleague.org, fax: 202-822-1334.
programs to provide a blueprint for action, with on-line tools, resources and
in-person technical assistance that is making a difference. In 2010 alone, we
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
provided assistance to more than 500 communities and businesses – and the Harry Brull, Secretary, harrybrull@bikeleague.org
numbers keep on growing. Ongoing support from our members and industry Gary Brustin, garybrustin@bikeleague.org
partners Trek and Bikes Belong have made this possible. Amanda Eichstaedt, amandaeichstaedt@bikeleague.org
One more inescapable truth is that every single community, state, univer- Bill Hoffman, billhoffman@bikeleague.org
sity or business gets started and sustains their efforts by virtue of people like Jeffrey Lynne, jeffreylynne@bikeleague.org
you asking for it to happen. No-one else is going to do it for us, and it really Mike Nix, mikenix@bikeleague.org
isn’t rocket science. So if you want to make a difference in your community Rob Sadowsky, robsadowsky@bikeleague.org
and don’t know where to start, we encourage you to use the BFA program as John Siemiatkoski, johnsiemiatkoski@bikeleague.org
a guide. Gail Spann, gailspann@bikeleague.org
Eric Swanson, ericswanson@bikeleague.org, Treasurer
Hans van Naerssen, Chair,
hansvannaerssen@bikeleague.org
Tim Young, Vice-chair, timyoung@bikeleague.org
Phyllis Harmon, Director Emeritus, phyllis5377@cs.com
STAFF
Andy Clarke – President
Elizabeth Kiker – Vice President
Meghan Cahill – Director of Communications
Alison Dewey – BFC Program Specialist
Walter Finch – Advocacy Director
Darren Flusche – Policy Analyst
Lorna Green – Director of Operations
Katie Omberg – Membership and Events Assistant
RESOURCES: Bill Nesper – Director, BFC Program
Bicycle Friendly Community - http://www.bikeleague.org/bfcresources Jeff Peel – State and Local Advocacy Coordinator
Carly Sieff – BFA Program Assistant
Bicycle Friendly Business - http://www.bikeleague.org/bfbresources Sharon Thorne – Administrative Assistant
Bicycle Friendly States - http://www.bikeleague.org/bfsresources Preston Tyree – Education Director
Scott Williams – Membership Director
Bicycle Friendly University - http://www.bikeleague.org/bfuresources
AMERICAN BICYCLIST MAGAZINE
Editor: Meghan Cahill
Art Director: Studio D Design
Editor Emeritus: Phyllis W. Harmon
American Bicyclist is printed with soy ink on 30% post-consumer American Bicyclist magazine (ISSN 0747-0371) is published six
recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. times yearly by the League of American Bicyclists, Inc. ©2010
League of American Bicyclists. Reproduction in whole or in
part without permission is prohibited. Article queries should
be addressed to meghan@bikeleague.org. Your submission of
manuscripts, photographs, or artwork, is your warranty that the
material in no way infringes on the rights of others and that the
material may be published without additional approval. Opinions
expressed by writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect
the policies of the League.
1612 K Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20006
tel 202-822-1333 fax 202-822-1334
www.bikeleague.org
bikeleague@bikeleague.org

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BIKE PLAN BIKE SUMMIT

BIKE TO WORK DAY

2 The Bicycle Friendly

6 Bicycle Friendly Community List

8 Bicycle Friendly Business List

13 Bicycle Friendly State List

64 What Can You Do?

36 encouragement The articles in this magazine were

2011 what’s next?

Baltimore, MD BFC Ceremony

Platinum Silver Santa Barbara, CA | 87,370

Population: 50,000 – 199,999 Tallahassee, FL | 176,336

Presidio of San Francisco, CA | 3,000 Auburn, AL | 52,205

Bronze Carmel, IN | 70,000 Brentwood, CA | 40,007

The Hub of Detroit, Detroit , MI | 7 N

KEY: BICYCLE INDUSTRY HOSPITALITY/RETAIL + MEDICAL/HEALTH

N NON-PROFIT/GOVERNMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MANUFACTURING/ RESEARCH

Bike City Recyclery Inc., Fayetteville, AR | 2 The Hawley Company, Lexington, SC | 60

San Francisco Landscapes, San Francisco, CA | 5

Bronze Broken Spoke, Iowa City, IA | 2

KEY: BICYCLE INDUSTRY HOSPITALITY/RETAIL + MEDICAL/HEALTH

N NON-PROFIT/GOVERNMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MANUFACTURING/ RESEARCH

RCommunity Bikes, Rochester, NY N Trek Bicycle Downers Grove, Downers Grove, IL | 10

KEY: BICYCLE INDUSTRY HOSPITALITY/RETAIL + MEDICAL/HEALTH

N NON-PROFIT/GOVERNMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MANUFACTURING/ RESEARCH

15 Massachusetts (19) 29 Rhode Island (35) 44 Oklahoma (48)

Mayor Ralph Becker at the

What Businesses Can Do: Seattle Children’s Hospital

Policy, it was easy to claim the costs

where they go to be called bicycle-

When Main Street is a Highway: Maryland’s Design Guidance

BIKE STATIONS: There are eight

Prime Bike Parking: General MIlls Plant, Albuquerque, N.M.

i For more contact John Saucedo at john.saucedo@genmills.com.

Seize the opportunities Tropical Cyclocross, Miami, Fla.

Teaching Employees to Commute: Dero, Minneapolis, Minn.

Certification is designed for fourth sage through these teachers. That is

Safe Cyclist Certification

Educating the People Building the Roads:

Bike Rodeo, Bentonville, Ark.

E ncouragement can be one of

National Bike Month

B ike advocacy encourage

L ocal advocacy groups are

PITTSBURGH’S CAR-FREE FRIDAYS 2010

HOW DOES BIKE

• Selling bike racks

• Yearly fundraiser Bikefest, a

Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor of • Events and Rides: Pool ride,

Bike Pittsburgh “We just decided to start providing • Foundations

M aps, Guides and Signage

Seattle Bicycle Map

Lexington, Ky. residents now

(PM10) avoided by ordinary Parisiens going about

• 1,212,434 gallons of gasoline their business. Modeled on other

saved successful programs, the Paris bike

everybodybike.com. lating charges for longer trips.

For more information, contact us at:

Whatcom Smart Trips

Bike Sharing in the U.S.

Diversion Program – Austin

i For more information, contact Wes Robinson at wrobinson@jsitel.com or