[Press Release] : League of American Bicyclists names Columbia a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Mayor Darwin Hindman - (573) 449-5227, (573) 864-7894, (573)
874-7222

League of American Bicyclists names Columbia a Silver Level Bicycle
Friendly Community 

COLUMBIA, MO (May 1, 2009) - The League of American Bicyclists, a
nationwide organization of bicycle clubs, individual cyclists and
affiliated organizations, has named Columbia a Bicycle Friendly
Community at Silver Level. The award recognizes communities for their
efforts to increase bicycling and community achievements in five
categories: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement and
Evaluation & Planning. An award celebration will be included in the
Bike, Walk and Wheel kickoff event at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at Flat
Branch Park. 

Mayor Darwin Hindman congratulated Steve Kullman and Robert Johnson for
writing the application and the citizens of Columbia for making a place
where people have a choice in transportation. “This honor puts us on
level with other communities that are noted for their outstanding
quality of life and diverse transportation options,” he said. Other
silver level designees include Austin, Texas, Colorado Springs, Colo.,
Minneapolis, Minn., and Scottsdale, Ariz. Columbia is the first
community in Missouri to receive a Bicycle Friendly Community
designation. Community Friendly designations are awarded at bronze,
silver, gold and platinum levels. 

According to Robert Johnson, education coordinator for the PedNet
Coalition, Columbia’s successful application came about as the result
of a partnership between the PedNet Coalition, which is a not-for-profit
membership organization, and the city’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission.
Chaired by David Heise, the Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission advises City
Council on issues relating to sidewalks, walkways and trails. It also
assists city staff with the master bike plan and grant applications. 

“We had a great team working on this,” says Johnson. “City staff
provided detailed engineering stats and technical information, PedNet
addressed criteria such as encouragement and education, and Steve
Kullman from the Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission brought all of the
components into one complete, well organized document.” 

Kullman said he received a great deal of help from staff in the
city’s Planning Department and engineers from Public Works, as well
as assistance from GetAbout Columbia staff. “In all, it was a joint
effort between a lot of people,” said Kullman. 

Bill Nesper, director of the Bicycle Friendly Community Program noted
that the decision to name Columbia a Bicycle Friendly Community at the
Silver Level was based on careful review of the application and
consultation with area cyclists. “This award is presented only to
communities with remarkable commitments to bicycling,” stated Nesper.


The designation will run through May 2013, and the League will provide
feedback on how Columbia can achieve future gold or platinum level
designation.

According to its Web site, www.bikeleague.org, the League of American
Bicyclists mission is to “promote bicycling for fun, fitness and
transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle
friendly America.” 

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