Bicycle Friendly Community Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important for communities to strive to be bicycle-friendly?
Citizens in communities across America want to improve their quality of life. They want a less-stressful lifestyle, a cleaner environment, affordable transportation and better health for themselves and their children. Bicycling is part of the solution. Bicycle-friendly communities experience reduced traffic, better air, and improved public health. Bicycle-friendly towns, like those with good schools and vibrant downtowns, are communities that offer a good quality of life for families, which can lead to higher property values, business growth and increased tourism.

How do residents benefit from living in a bicycle-friendly community?
Our nation as a whole is experiencing alarming rates of obesity and overweight, due to sedentary living and poor diet, resulting in 300,000 deaths a year from related illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Overweight is the second leading cause of death after tobacco use in the country. Bicycling is one of the best exercises for the cardiovascular system and is very effective at reducing weight and keeping it off.

Bicycling is not only good for the body; it is also good for the mind. The feelings of accomplishment and relaxation that follow a bike ride, combined with the physical benefits, also lead to reduced stress levels, heightened self-esteem and self-confidence.

Bicycling gets you where you need to go, without burning fossil fuels, emitting pollutants, or increasing traffic congestion. It is the ultimate form of clean and efficient transportation. According to the 1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, 25% of all trips are made within a mile of the home, 40% of all trips are within two miles of the home, and 50% of the working population commutes five miles or less to work-all distances easily traveled by bike. Yet more than 82% of trips five miles or less are made by personal motor vehicle.

For most Americans, transportation is an expense second only to housing. The average American household devotes 18 cents out of every dollar it spends to getting around. In some metro areas, households are spending more on transportation than on shelter. The vast majority of that spending, 98% is for the purchase, operation, and maintenance of automobiles. Most American families spend more on driving than on health care, education or food. And the poorest families spend the most-sometimes more than one-third of their income goes to transportation. Poor people and low-income communities do not have sufficient transportation choices. Bicycling addresses these issues and provides an elegantly simple solution.

Why should my community get involved with the Bicycle Friendly Communities program?
Whether you feel your community is or is not bicycle friendly, you should be involved.

This program offers awards of national recognition for communities that already understand the benefits of bicycling by providing safe and plentiful bikeways for bicyclists, bicyclists access to safe and convenient bike parking, and encouragement and 'share the road' programs for non-cyclists.

If you don't feel your community is worthy of bicycle-friendly status, you should get involved anyway. The application process is a learning process. The questions are intended to educate just as much as they are to evaluate. By reviewing the questions on the application, you may find a solution to a problem your community experiences. The League offers technical assistance through the www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org website as well as technical expertise through the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.

If my community is designated a "Bicycle Friendly Community", won't this send the message that further improvements for bicycling aren't needed?
The League of American Bicyclists understands that no community is perfect, but some are more bicycle-friendly than others. Therefore the League awards communities by tier including, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze. The award recognizes the positive steps and helps identify the steps that need to be taken to reach the next award level. Additionally, the award expires after four years. Communities must provide an update on their progress in order to maintain their award. The award will act as a catalyst for continued change.

How do I apply?
Access the application and resources, and then seek the endorsement and assistance of local officials in completing the application.

Who should complete the application?
A city official responsible for bicycling issues usually completes the application. Much of the application can be completed by anyone familiar with what a community has done for bicycling, but the communities governing body must approve its final submission.

Is there an application or renewal fee?
No. Thanks to the generous support of the Bikes Belong Coalition, we are able to waive all application fees.

Does my community need to be doing everything on the application in order to receive the award?
No. The completed application provides a detailed picture of a community. Applications are scored and the awards determination is made on both the answers to the application and the feedback from local cyclists.

I need help completing the application, what should I do?
Review the great number of resources available online. If you cannot locate the answer to your question or the appropriate resource, please contact us at info@bicyclefriendlycommunity.org or call 202-822-1333.

How does the application process work?
The League of American Bicyclists reviews Part 1 of the application. If the application is incomplete or shows little commitment from the community to support bicycling, it will be returned to the applicant with comments and asked to be resubmitted.

Part 2 of the application is reviewed and scored by a committee selected to provide both a local and national perspective. If awarded, a designation of bronze, silver, gold or platinum will be made.

A press event is planned where a League representative presents the award to the community along with a certificate and a Bicycle Friendly Community road sign.

How does my community rank?
Find out if you live in a Bicycle Friendly Community by visiting the Community Profiles section of the website. If your community isn't listed, work to get them involved. Even if your community doesn't deserve an award, use the application to make improvements in your community by showing it to your municipal leaders.

Is “Bicycle Friendly Communities” connected to Bicycling Magazine’s “Ten Best Cities” articles?
While similar, the League’s Bicycle Friendly Community program and Bicycling Magazine’s articles on the best and worst cities for cycling are not connected. To view Bicycling Magazine’s most recent article click here: http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/de/friendly.htm

The Bicycle Friendly Community Program is supported by the