The League of American Bicyclists has announced 26 new and 77 renewing Bicycle Friendly Communities and the City of Roanoke is among those who successfully renewed their status.
In total, 140 communities applied for recognition. Roanoke joins a leading group of communities, in all 50 states, that are transforming neighborhoods. There are now 404 communities recognized for their efforts to make biking better with a BFC award.
Roanoke earned Bronze status in 2012 by expanding greenways and off-road trails, as well as for its bicycling events. Also the city installed parking for bicycles in its seven public parking garages and a “Fix It Station” in the Market Garage, 25 Church Ave., where riders can stop and make repairs to tires or other adjustments to their bikes.
The city’s public transportation company, Valley Metro, also equipped many of its buses with bike racks. And, to increase bicycle safety, the city installed shared lane markings or “sharrows” on a number of streets. Since its initial recognition, the city increased the number of bike lanes dramatically—from 11 miles of bike lanes to 35 miles.
The Bronze BFC award recognizes Roanoke’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.
The BFC program provides a benchmark for communities to evaluate these conditions and policies, while highlighting areas for improvement. The national scope of the program also promotes competition and comparison between communities.
“We are pleased to have maintained our Bronze status, and very much look forward to expanding our network of bicycle accommodations and, more importantly, to identifying ways through which to educate and encourage bicyclists and motorists alike and to make our citizens more aware of the bicycling opportunities available to them,” said Mark Jamison, Transportation Manager for the City of Roanoke.
The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. As leaders, their commitment is to listen and learn, define standards, and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change.
To read the full news release from the League of American Bicyclists, visit http://bikeleague.org/content/103-bicycle-friendly-communities-awarded.
To learn more about the BFC program, visit www.bikeleague.org/community.
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