Skip to main content

Page last updated on December 7, 2018 at 4:19 pm

For more information, please contact

 

Beth Rosenbarger
Planning Services Manager
City of Bloomington Planning and Transportation Department
rosenbab@bloomington.in.gov
812-349-3423 
 

 

Bloomington Named Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community by League of American Bicyclists

Bloomington, Ind. - On Thursday, December 6, the League of American Bicyclists recognized the City of Bloomington with a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. Sixty-one communities around the country were recognized this year as BFCs; Bloomington was one of only five to earn the Fall 2018 Gold Level award, joining fellow honorees Aspen, Colo.; Oakland, Calif.; Sanibel, Fla.; and Urbana, Ill.

The announcement confirms Bloomington’s place among communities across the nation working to establish bicycling as a safe and convenient option for transportation and recreation.  This is Bloomington’s second recognition at the Gold Level.

“We’re honored to be recognized again, while still making big strides to improve bicycle transportation -- a key consideration for cities that will thrive in the 21st century,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “The process of applying for this recognition helped us to assess Bloomington’s bike-friendliness in a quantitative way to determine how our planning and infrastructure can better support it.”  

Bloomington’s Gold Level status was renewed for a number of assets that contribute to its bike-friendliness, with particular distinction in the following categories:  share of transportation budget spent on bicycling, active bicycle advisory committee and bicycle-friendly laws and ordinances. Bloomington’s full report is available on the League’s site here. Bloomington currently has 29 miles of trails and shared paths, including the B-Line and Clear Creek trails and the multi-use side paths parallel to the street that are designed for walking and bicycling.  

Recently approved measures will significantly enhance bicycle transportation infrastructure in Bloomington.  The $10 million Bicentennial Bond, passed by the Common Council October 31, will fund a number of major projects to deepen the City’s commitment to an integrated, sustainable multi-modal transportation system and to extend its trail connectivity. Among other projects, the bond funds a protected east-west bike lane along 7th Street downtown and a new trail on the city’s west side that links Switchyard Park, RCA Park, Weimer Road, and Wapehani Mountain Bike Park. The launch of the Pace bike share in June 2018 represents another significant contribution to bike transportation in Bloomington.    

Bloomington-area businesses that implement measures to encourage biking among their employees and customers may apply for inclusion on the League’s national Bicycle Friendly Business register. The City of Bloomington is offering assistance with applications until the February 20, 2019 deadline. More information about how to apply is available by contacting Autumn Salamack, Assistant Director for Sustainability, at salamaca@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3837; or at the League’s site.

With this latest round of new and renewing awardees, the League currently recognizes 464 BFCs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Bloomington is the only Gold Level BFC in Indiana.   The League provides feedback and guidance to every applicant community, regardless of award designation, with the goal of helping every community to improve. Awarded communities must renew their status every four years to ensure that they not only maintain existing efforts, but also keep up with changing technology, national safety standards and community-driven best practices.  

 

###