Gainesville Honored with League's Bicycle-Friendly Community Award to Celebrate National Bike Month™

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2004

Contact: Patrick J. McCormick

Communications Director

League of American Bicyclists

Phone: 202-822-1333; Fax: 202-822-1334

Email: patrick@bikeleague.org

Washington, DC—The League of American Bicyclists has kicked off National Bike Month TM by honoring Gainesville, Florida and ten other communities with its prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community designation. Gainesville has earned the silver-level of the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award.

Gainesville is one of 38 communities that have been granted the BFC designation to recognize their commitment to providing safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists, and for their efforts to encourage bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation. Visit www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org to learn more about the awards process and view the recently published highlights on the award-winning communities, as well as the results of the League's recent International BFC Symposium .

Andy Clarke, Executive Director of the League, congratulated Gainesville and the other award winners, saying, "What better way to start National Bike Month TM ( www.bikemonth.com ) than celebrating cities such as Gainesville that show what's possible? Given the choice, people will and do ride their bikes. Bicycle Friendly Communities are special places, with a heightened sense of community spirit and an uncommon devotion to improving their quality of life. With political commitment, focused investment in infrastructure and policies, and broad community involvement, cities and towns can become better places not only to bicycle but also to live. The rewards for residents are huge: greater opportunities to lead active lifestyles; improved air quality, and increased travel choices."

League staff and reviewers consider several factors before granting a community BFC status, including:

• The physical environment for bicycling -- on-street facilities, trails, parking, etc.
• Education programs to promote a "share the road" ethic among bicyclists and drivers
• Promotional initiatives to persuade people to ride or ride more often
• Enforcement of traffic laws for both motorists and bicyclists
• Future plans and evaluation techniques to improve conditions further

According to the 2000 Census, a remarkable 5.25% of Gainesville residents commute to work by bike, among the highest figures in the nation for a major population center. With so many cyclists on Gainesville's streets, bicyclist and motorist education are critical. The city's police department works with the community and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Board to address traffic enforcement in targeted areas related to bicycle hazards and Share The Road issues.

Gainesville has a Safe Routes to School program to improve safety and encourage children to bicycle and walk to school. The Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program is working in association with the local Community Traffic Safety Team on meeting with the County's school principals to strengthen current efforts.

The University of Florida police department has a bicycle safety school, with classes offered every Tuesday night and Saturday morning for those who receive tickets for bicycle violations on campus.

Boulder, Colorado was granted the League's gold-level BFC award. Silver-level award winners include Olympia, Washington and Tucson, AZ, as well as Gainesville. Bronze level distinctions were awarded to Ashland, Oregon; Auburn, Alabama; Carrboro, North Carolina; Longmont, Colorado; Mountain View, California; Portage, Michigan; and Rockville, MD. An Honorable Mention was given to Milpitas, California. The League has yet to bestow its highest-level platinum award to any communities.

The League's Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is a national grassroots effort to increase the number of trips made by bike, promote physical fitness, and help make communities more livable. The Campaign works in the most effective way possible-town by town, city by city-to encourage bicycling and achieve a bicycle-friendly America. The Campaign is supported by generous grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ( www.rwjf.org ) and Bikes Belong Coalition ( www.bikesbelong.org ).

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The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 50 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org and www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org . May is National Bike Month TM ; visit www.bikemonth.com for safe cycling tips, promotional ideas, and events in your area.