The League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) and The City of Frederick was named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community. This award is presented only to communities with remarkable commitment to bicycling
CONTACT: Susan Harding, Public Information Officer, 301-600-1385
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2012
The City of Frederick Named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists
Frederick, MD -- May is National Bike Month with hundreds of events and thousands of riders celebrating bicycling nationwide. And a growing number of U.S. communities are taking steps to encourage residents to ride all year round — including The City of Frederick. The League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) and The City of Frederick was named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community. This award is presented only to communities with remarkable commitment to bicycling.
“Named a 2011 Bicycle Friendly Community Spring Honorable Mention by the League of American Bicyclists, this Bronze award recognizes the continued dedicated work of the City’s Ad Hoc Bicycle Committee. The commitment of this group is outstanding and I am extremely proud of their accomplishments” said Mayor Randy McClement.
The Ad Hoc Committee is continuing to evaluate and reevaluated all the possible improvements and additional bike events that can be accomplished” said Tim Davis, City Planner.
The BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress toward improving their bicycle-friendliness. With this impressive round, there are now 214 BFCs in 47 states across America. The Bronze BFC award recognizes Frederick’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.
“We are not surprised that this was the largest number of new and renewing applicants that we’ve ever had,” said League President Andy Clarke. “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. The City of Frederick recognizes that simple steps to make bicycling safe and comfortable pay huge dividends in civic, community and economic development.”
The BFC program provides a roadmap to building a Bicycle Friendly Community and the application itself has become a rigorous and an educational tool in itself. Since its inception, more then 500 distinct communities have applied and the four levels of the award – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve.
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/
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 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.
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