Press Release on Lincoln Receiving a Bronze from The League of American Bicyclist

Lincoln Recognized for Promoting Biking and Walking

The League of American Bicyclists today announced that Lincoln has been named a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community. The award recognizes Lincoln’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in promotion, education, infrastructure and policies. Lincoln also recently received an honorable mention award from the Walk Friendly Communities program for its efforts improved walkability and pedestrian safety through programs, plans and policies.

A presentation ceremony for both awards is planned for 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 18 as part of the Bike to Work ice cream social at the Jayne Snyder Trails Center in Union Plaza.

“Our entire community can take pride in our efforts to promote biking and walking,” said Mayor Chris Beutler. “When our residents bike or walk instead of drive, they are improving their health, reducing pollution and setting a good example for others. The recent awards recognize our outstanding trail system and the other improvements we have made to encourage biking and walking.”

“The popularity of this program is clear evidence that investment in bicycling is a major catalyst in creating the kind of vibrant communities people want to live, work and visit,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “Lincoln recognizes that simple steps to make bicycling safe and comfortable pay huge dividends in civic, community and economic development.”

Lincoln is now one of 214 Bike Friendly Communities in 47 states. Since the program’s inception, more than 500 communities have applied for recognition, and Clarke said the four levels of the award (platinum, gold, silver and bronze) provide an incentive for continuous improvement. More information about the program is available at bikeleague.org/community.

Lincoln is involved in several projects to promote biking, including Bike to Work Week through May 18; the fourth annual Biketacular and Capital City Criterium Saturday; the Lincoln Bicycle Commuter Challenge now through August 31; and Trail Trek Sunday, June 24. More information on these events is available at lincoln.ne.gov.

About the Bicycle Friendly America Program

The Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs are generously supported by program partners Bikes Belong and Trek Bicycle’s One World, Two Wheels Campaign. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/.

About the League of American Bicyclists

The League 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 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,k000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit bikeleague.org.

About Walk Friendly Communities

For more information, visit walkfriendly.org.

Recent Lincoln Biking and Walking Initiatives

• A bike corral, located on the 12th Street side of the Center Park Garage. The corral provides a convenient and affordable covered and secured parking facility in the downtown area.
• Bike racks installed on all StarTran buses in April 2011. The racks are mounted on the front of buses, each holding two standard bicycles. They are available year-round on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Completion of various trail projects, including the Antelope Valley Trail, and the planning and design of the West Haymarket Trail;
• Ongoing street projects, including trail improvement along North 14th Street and North 1st Street;
• Shared lanes with “sharrows” on “G” Street and ongoing planning to identify additional on-street priority projects such as bike routes and shared lane facilities throughout the community;
• Construction of the new Jayne Snyder Trails Center at Union Plaza;
• Promotion of “International Walk Your Child to School Day” for over a decade in elementary schools throughout the city.
• Installation of pedestrian countdown signal heads at 75 percent of all signalized intersections, with efforts underway to install the signals at all signalized intersections.
• Adoption and application of pedestrian design standards for all commercial and industrial developments to ensure they are pedestrian-friendly and accessible.
• Continued application of pedestrian-friendly standards in Lincoln’s developments including requirements for street trees, short block lengths and pedestrian easements to make neighborhoods more walk-able.