Bowling Green is striving to become a Bicycle-Friendly Community as recognized by the League of American Bicyclists, a national bike advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. The Bicycle-Friendly Community award has been granted to dozens of communities across the country, including Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky.
Bicycle Bowling Green was formed in 2007 to build a Bicycle-Friendly Community here in Bowling Green, Ky. We applied for the award in 2008 and received an Honorable Mention. That means we have made a lot of progress, but we have some work to do!
Map of Bicycle-Friendly Communities nationwide
Here are some frequently-asked questions about the program, courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists:
What does a Bicycle Friendly Community look like?
A Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation. The BFC application provides a comprehensive picture of a community by asking questions across five categories often referred to as the Five Es. These are Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation & Planning. A community must demonstrate achievements in each of the five categories in order to be considered for an award. Communities with more significant achievements in these areas receive superior awards.
Why is it important for communities to strive to be Bicycle-Friendly?
Bicyclists are an indicator of a healthy, vibrant community. Bicycle-friendly towns, like those with good schools and enjoyable downtowns, are communities that offer improved quality of life for families, which can lead to higher property values, business growth and increased tourism.
Many communities today struggle with traffic congestion, environmental degradation, declining public health and skyrocketing transportation costs. Bicycling is part of the solution to these problems.
How do residents benefit from living in a Bicycle-Friendly Community?
Our nation as a whole is experiencing alarming rates of obesity due to sedentary living and poor diet, resulting in 300,000 deaths a year from related illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Obesity is the second leading cause of death after tobacco use in the country. Bicycling is one of the best exercises for the cardiovascular system and is very effective at reducing weight and keeping it off.
Bicycling gets you where you need to go, without burning fossil fuels, emitting pollutants, or increasing traffic congestion. It is the ultimate form of clean and efficient transportation. According to the 1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, 25% of all trips are made within a mile of the home, 40% of all trips are within two miles of the home, and 50% of the working population commutes five miles or less to work-all distances easily traveled by bike. Yet more than 82% of trips five miles or less are made by personal motor vehicle.
For most Americans, transportation is an expense second only to housing. The average American household devotes 18 cents out of every dollar it spends to getting around. In some metro areas, households are spending more on transportation than on shelter. The vast majority of that spending, 98% is for the purchase, operation, and maintenance of automobiles. Most American families spend more on driving than on health care, education or food. And the poorest families spend the most-sometimes more than one-third of their income goes to transportation. Low-income communities, in addition to the 1/3 of the population that is to old or young to drive drive do not have sufficient transportation choices. Bicycling addresses these issues of mobility and affordable transportation.
Why should my community get involveed with the Bicycle-Friendly Community program?
Whether you feel your community is or is not bicycle friendly, you should be involved. This program offers awards of national recognition for communities that already understand the benefits of bicycling by providing safe and plentiful bikeways for bicyclists, bicyclists access to safe and convenient bike parking, encouragement, and ’share the road’ programs for non-cyclists.
For communities that are just beginning to become more bicycle-friendly, the application process is a learning process. The questions are intended to educate just as much as they are to evaluate. By reviewing the questions on the application, you may find a solution to a problem your community experiences. Many communities have successfully used the application as a roadmap on how to improve its commitment to bicycling. The League offers technical assistance through our website as well as staff dedicated to answering your questions and assisting you with the application process.
If my community is designated a “Bicycle Friendly Community” won’t this send a message that further improvements for bicycling aren’t needed?
The League of American Bicyclists understands that no community is perfect, but some are more bicycle-friendly than others. Therefore the League awards communities by tier including, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze. The award recognizes the positive steps and helps identify the steps that need to be taken to reach the next award level. Each application is followed by feedback designed to offer guidance on areas in need of improvement. Even our Platinum rated communities receive this! Additionally, the award expires after four years. Communities must provide an update on their progress in order to maintain their award. The award will act as a catalyst for continued change.
How does my community apply?
Access the on-line application and resources, and then seek the endorsement and assistance of local officials in completing the application.
When is the deadline to apply?
There are two deadlines throughout the year – one in early Spring and the other in the Fall. The next deadline is July 16, 2010. Applications submitted through the online application site on or before the deadline will be considered for designation.
Who should complete the application?
A city official responsible for bicycling issues usually completes the application. Much of the application can be completed by anyone familiar with what a community has done for bicycling, but the communities governing body must approve its final submission. Often the most complete applications come from communities where city officials, public agencies and local cyclists work on it together.
Is there an application or renewal fee?
No. Thanks to the generous support of the Bikes Belong Coalition and Trek’s 1 World 2Wheels program, we are able to waive all application fees.
Does my community need to be doing everything on the application in order to receive the award?
No. The completed application provides a detailed picture of a community. Applications are scored and the awards determination is made on both the answers to the application and the feedback from local cyclists.
I need help completing the application. What should I do?
Review the great number of resources available online. If you cannot locate the answer to your question or the appropriate resource, please contact us at info@bicyclefriendlycommunity.org or call 202-822-1333.
How does the application process work?
Once an applicant creates an online profile, the League of American Bicyclists makes sure that the applicant is with the community applying or has permission to complete an application. Next the applicant will fill out the online application and submit when completed.
Once completed, the application is reviewed and scored by a committee selected to provide both a local and national perspective. If awarded, a designation of bronze, silver, gold or platinum will be made. A League representative will present the award to the community along with a certificate and a Bicycle Friendly Community road sign.
Each community that applies will receive feedback from the review to aid in improvement.
How does my community rank?
Find out if you live in a Bicycle Friendly Community by visiting the BFA map and clicking on your home state. If your community isn’t listed, work to get them involved. Even if your community doesn’t deserve an award, use the application to make improvements in your community by showing it to your municipal leaders.
We publish an annual Bicycle Friendly America Yearbook highlighting all of our recognized communities. Putting copies in the hands of local elected officials as proven effective in generating interest in both the program, as well as providing for cyclists in the community. Contact the League to request copies.
Is the BFC program connected to bicycling magazine’s “ten best cities” article?
While similar, the League’s Bicycle Friendly Community program and Bicycling Magazine’s articles on the best and worst cities for cycling are not connected.
Does my community have to sign the Action Plan for Bicycle Friendly Communiy in order to apply?
No, it is not a requirement. The Action Plan is a great way for community leaders to show commitment to building a Bicycle Friendly Community and a great tool for advocates to build partnerships with the city.
Sara Shipley Hiles is a member of Bicycle Bowling Green. She thinks every day is better with a bike ride. 
