Colorado Springs was awarded a continuation of its Silver Bicycle Friendly Community status as announced by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) today. The recognition comes four years after the City received its inaugural designation, also for silver, in 2008.

A Bicycle Friendly Community is a designation by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB – www.bikeleague.org) for communities that implement bicycle-friendly policies and practices and create environments that support bicycling for transportation, recreation and sport.

“We’re excited that we’ve maintained our Silver-level status because our progress over the last four years has been building a foundation that can now be taken to the Gold or even Platinum level,” said Kristin Bennett, the City’s Non-motorized Transportation Programs Manager. “We’ve been able to make improvements despite the economic challenges of the last few years thanks to dedicated funding for bicycle facilities from the City’s Bicycle Excise Tax and TOPS and PPRTA sales tax.

The Bicycle Friendly Community Program (BFC) provides incentives, assistance, web-site promotion and recognition for communities that actively support bicycling.

To encourage good health and interdepartmental cooperation, City employees are participating in the National Bike Challenge. The League of American Bicyclists’ 2012 National Bike Challenge is a free way for people to track bicycling miles online this summer competing as individuals, teams, communities and states. The City wellness program acknowledges the benefits of bicycling and incorporates this type of exercise through programs and competitions.

Joint Interview Opportunity with Colorado Springs Utilities:

Who: Non-motorized Transportation Programs Manager Kristin Bennett

When:Wed. May 16, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

Where:CSU Conservation and Environmental Center, 2855 Mesa Drive

Why: Encourage others to participate in the 2012 National Bike Challenge

Visuals: Bicycle facilities available to the public at this location