[planning-l] PRESS RELEASE: Columbia Named a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists

[Planning and Development]

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

*October 18, 2013***

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*CONTACT:* *Rachel Bacon*

*(573) 874-7239*

*ribacon at gocolumbiamo.com*

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*Columbia** Named a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League
of American Bicyclists*




An increasing number of city leaders in communities across the country,
including Columbia, 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 Columbia has
been named a Silver Level BFC.



 "Columbia is playing a critical part in creating a truly Bicycle Friendly
America," said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists.
"We know Columbia’s investment in bicycling will be returned many times
over in the health, environmental, and quality of life benefits of a
thriving community.”



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 America.
The Silver Level BFC award recognizes Columbia’s commitment to improving
conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion,
education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.



“The PedNet Coalition is excited that Columbia 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 Columbia is the best place for bicycling and active
living in Missouri.”



"Columbia 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."



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.



To learn more about the free BFC program, visit bikeleague.org/community.



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