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

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: [email protected]

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

Rockville 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 of American Bicyclists, congratulated Rockville and the other award winners, saying, "What better way to start National Bike Month TM ( www.bikemonth.com ) than celebrating cities such as Rockville 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

The City of Rockville recently finalized construction plans for the completion of its Millennium Trail, a 10-mile, off-road, multiuse path that serves as a ‘”beltway” around Rockville, paralleling state and city roads. With the completion of upgraded crossings of the roads and highways the trail intersects, Rockville will have a bicycle beltway surrounding the city.

Rockville has staffed and funded a comprehensive curriculum to promote safe bicycling and pedestrian habits. Last year, city staff provided bicycle safety training to over 5,000 children. To encourage bicycle commuting to reduce traffic congestion, gasoline usage, and pollution, Rockville offers a $70 subsidy to employees who bike to work or travel to work by means other than a motor vehicle.

Rockville city staff recently developed a Comprehensive Transportation Review (CTR) policy to help evaluate the impact of new development on the City's transportation network and neighborhoods. The CTR establishes standards and tools necessary to evaluate pedestrian, bicycle, and non-auto multimodal transit facilities such as sidewalks, bicycle and shared-use paths, and bus stops. Adoption of the policy is expected shortly.

Boulder, Colorado was granted the League's gold-level BFC award. Silver-level award winners include Gainesville, Florida; Olympia, Washington; and Tucson, AZ. Bronze level distinctions were awarded to Ashland, Oregon; Auburn, Alabama; Carrboro, North Carolina; Longmont, Colorado; Mountain View, California; and Portage, Michigan; as well as Rockville. 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 and Bikes Belong Coalition.

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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.