(Washington, DC)- The League of American Bicyclists has honored Arlington County, Virginia with its prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community designation because of its longstanding commitment to providing safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists, and its efforts to encourage bicycle travel for transportation and recreation. Through policy and design, Arlington County has focused on increasing opportunities for physical activity and is a model in America's efforts to reduce obesity. Arlington is one of 13 communities given the Bicycle Friendly Community designation this fall, joining 14 named in May 2003.

Arlington has been granted the League's Bicycle-Friendly Community bronze-level award, the fourth highest prize in the national awards program, along with 11 other American communities. The League did not bestow the highest-level platinum award to any communities. Portland, Oregon received the second highest gold-level award; Folsom, California was granted the silver-level prize.

Elissa Margolin, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists, said, “Arlington County and our other Bicycle Friendly Communities display uncommon political commitment, technical expertise, and community involvement to become better places to bicycle. The rewards for residents are huge: reduced traffic, better air quality, increased travel choices, and greater opportunities to lead more active lifestyles.”

Arlington has been exemplary in its efforts to promote bicycling. A team including representatives from the Department of Public Works and the Police Department worked with each school in the County to assess conditions for walking and biking to school. Funding for solutions to problems identified by this process is included in the County’s capital improvement program. County employees are provided a $25 per month stipend for bicycling or walking to work at least three days a week. Arlington added over 10 miles of bike lanes in the past year. Arlington’s bike map is updated every two years and 5,000 copies are distributed annually.

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

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. Visit www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org to view the entire list of award-winning communities and learn more about the program.

Elissa Margolin, Executive Director of the League, and an Arlington resident, will officially present the award to Arlington County at the County board meeting on November 15 beginning at 8:30 AM.

Communities wishing to be considered for the award should visit www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org to view the application and find out more about the program. Applications received on or before March 19, 2023 will be considered in the next application review cycle. The Campaign is supported by grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (www.rwjf.org) and the Bikes Belong Coalition (www.bikesbelong.org).


The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America on behalf of its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org and www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org.