The League of American Bicyclists is awarding Steamboat Springs a prestigious silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community designation. The League has now honored 70 communities across the nation with the award. Steamboat Springs, Colo. has a strongly integrated off- and on-road bicycling system, featuring some of the best single-track in the country.
The Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award recognizes Steamboat Spring's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling and its practice of making focused investment in bicycling programs and facilities. The BFC judges were particularly imressed with Steamboat's promotion of cycling during an event-filled summer and the community's commitment to providing facilities which support cycling for commuters and students.
Steamboat Springs was granted the silver-level designation following a detailed audit of the city's efforts to provide safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists and to encourage residents to bike for transportation and recreation.
Andy Clarke, executive director of the League, said, "The League is delighted to recognize Steamboat for its efforts to welcome bicyclists and make bicycling safer and more enjoyable. Steamboat remains a star in Colorado. The BFC's reviewers were impressed with the city's committment to provide safe bicycle lanes, more bike racks around town, and promote the healthy lifestyle associated with commuting via bike to work. Furthermore the work with local schools to promote bicycle safetly and the active Routt County Riders bicycle club acting as the City's advisory board, Steamboat Springs has accomplished great things in 2007.
League staff and reviewers consider several factors before granting a community BFC status, including:
- The physical environment for bicycling-on-street facilities, trails, parking etc.
- Education programs to promote a "share the road" ethic among bicyclists and drivers
- Promotional initiatives to persuade people to ride or ride more often
- Enforcement of traffic laws for both motorists and bicyclists
- Future plans and evaluation techniques to improve conditions further
President of Routt County Riders, Brad Cusenbary was thrilled with the designation. "RCR (Routt County Riders) is very excited to see the Silver designation passed on by the League of American Bicyclists. We've spent a large amount of volunteer hours towards the recognition and partnered with the City of Steamboat Springs as an advisory agent to help promote the process. On behalf of RCR, we would like thank all of the volunteers and government agencies who have pooled together resources and ideas to help make this happen. We also encourage not to be satisfied with the Silver designation and strive for higher levels by continuing to improve our infrastructure and education of cycling in the City of Steamboat and Routt County.
The League's Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is a national grassroots effort to increase the number of trips made by bike, promote physical fitness, and help make communities more livable. The Campaign works in the most effective way possible-town by town, city by city-to encourage bicycling and achieve a bicycle-friendly America. The Campaign is supported by generous grants from Trek Bicycle Corporation (www.trekbikes.com) and Bikes Belong (www.bikesbelong.org).
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