<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:24pt;font-family:Arial">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">October 18, 2013</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"></span></b></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">CONTACT:</span></b> <b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Rachel Bacon</span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">(573) 874-7239</span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"><a href="mailto:ribacon@gocolumbiamo.com">ribacon@gocolumbiamo.com</a></span></b></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Arial">Columbia</span></b><b><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Arial"> Named a
Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">An increasing number
of city leaders in communities across the country, including </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Columbia</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">, are embracing the environmental, financial and quality of
life benefits that come with a Bicycle Friendly Community.  They are
recognizing that bicycling can be the solution to many community challenges. On
October 15, the League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of
Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) awards and </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Columbia</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> has been named a Silver Level BFC.</span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> "</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Columbia</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> is playing a critical part in creating a truly Bicycle
Friendly America," said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American
Bicyclists. "We know </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Columbia</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">’s investment in bicycling will be returned many times over
in the health, environmental, and quality of life benefits of a thriving
community.”</span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">The BFC program is
transforming 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 291 BFCs in 48 states across </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">America</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">. The Silver Level
BFC award recognizes </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Columbia</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">’s commitment to improving
conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education
programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.</span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">“The PedNet Coalition
is excited that </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Columbia</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> has again been recognized as a Silver Level Bicycle
Friendly Community” said Annette Triplett, Executive Director of the PedNet
Coalition. “This award confirms what those of us who live here know: that </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Columbia</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> is the best place for bicycling and active living in </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Missouri</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">.”</span></p>


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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">"</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">Columbia</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"> can be very proud of receiving the Silver Level
Bicycle-Friendly Community designation again” said Ian Thomas, Fourth
Ward Columbia City Councilperson. “It is very apparent that bicycle mode share
is growing rapidly as our system of  trails, bike lanes, and bike
routes continues to expand and become better connected."</span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">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 five levels
of the award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear
incentive for communities to continuously improve.</span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">To learn more about the free BFC program, visit <a href="http://bikeleague.org/community">bikeleague.org/community</a>.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial"></span></p>


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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial">- 30 -</span></p><div><div dir="ltr"><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>
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