For Immediate Release
My 18, 2016
Contact: Dane Eifling
Bicycle Programs Coordinator Sustainability & Resilience Department
479.575.8211deifling@fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville Advances to Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community as Designated by League of American Bicyclists
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized the City of Fayetteville with a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community (BFCSM) award. With the announcement of 34 new and renewing BFCs today, Fayetteville joins a leading group of communities, in all 50 states, that are transforming neighborhoods. The City is now among an elite group of 73 communities from across the country awarded with the silver status.
“We applaud these communities for making bicycling a safe and convenient option for transportation and recreation,” said Bill Nesper, Vice President of Programs at the League of American Bicyclists. “We are encouraged by the growing number of leaders who see bicycling as a way to build more vibrant, healthy, sustainable, and connected communities and be a part of the solution to many complex challenges faced at both the community and national levels. We look forward to continuing to work with these communities as we move closer to our mission of creating a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.” To learn more about the League’s Bicycling Friendly Community Program, visit this webpage.
Fayetteville was first designated as a Bronze BFC in 2010. Through continued improvement in bicycle infrastructure and programing, the City has earned the more prestigious Silver BFC designation. The award recognizes Fayetteville’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure, and pro-bicycling policies.
“The City and community have made a concentrated joint effort in creating a network of trails for both transportation and recreation,” said Mayor Lioneld Jordan. “Fayetteville’s bicycling assets include 40 miles of shared-use paved trails, 30 miles of on-street bicycle facilities, and 30 miles of mountain biking trails – creating a total network of over 100 miles within the City’s 55 square miles.” Jordan continued, “Our 10 bicycle-friendly businesses are examples of how this community encourages and supports bicycle friendliness. We will continue moving forward, building approximately 2.5 miles each year and look forward to achieving the next level of bicycle friendliness.”
The Mayor invites the community to an official award announcement on Thursday, May 26 at 5:15 p.m. on the steps of the Fayetteville Town Center, located at 15 W. Mountain Street. Attendees are invited to join in a celebratory group trail ride following the event. May is recognized as Bike Month across the United States and National Bike to Work Day is thisFriday, May 20. From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., the City is hosting trailside “energizer stations” for morning bike commuters at two locations:
• Lake Fayetteville trail near the Lake Fayetteville Marina• Razorback Greenway and W. Dickson Street trail crossing
Commuters will be provided with free breakfast and minor mechanical support.
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 than 1,200 distinct communities have applied and the five levels of the award – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for the 372 designated communities to continuously improve. Two-thirds of applicants do not to receive a designation. Approximately 8.5% of applicants achieve the silver or higher award. Fayetteville is one of 103 high-ranking communities and the only silver-designated city in Arkansas.
To learn more about the City’s Trail Construction program, including information on bicycling in Fayetteville and related events, visit this webpage and be sure to check out the quick links.
###