By: Kyle Johnson—
Muncie, IN—The League of American Bicyclists has recognized the City of Muncie with a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community (BFCSM) award, joining 374 visionary communities from across the country.
With the announcement of 34 new and renewing BFCs, Muncie joins a leading group of communities, in all 50 states, that are transforming neighborhoods.
“We applaud these communities for making bicycling a safe and convenient option for transportation and recreation,” said Bill Nesper, vice president of programs at the League of American Bicyclists. “We are encouraged by the growing number of leaders who see bicycling as a way to build more vibrant, healthy, sustainable and connected communities and be a part of the solution to many complex challenges faced at both the community and national levels. We look forward to continuing to work with these communities as we move closer to our mission of creating a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.”
The program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to chart their progress toward improving bicycle friendliness. There are now 374 Bicycle Friendly Communities in all 50 states.
The Bronze BFC award recognizes Muncie’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.
“At the urging of Mayor Tyler, who is an avid cyclist, the City of Muncie has increased efforts over the last few years to create a more bikeable community,” said Kyle Johnson, chair of the city’s Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee. “The Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee was formed in late 2014 and has brought together people from organizations including the Cardinal Greenways, Metropolitan Plan Commission, Ball State University, city departments, business owners and citizen advocates. This group has updated bike-related ordinances, encouraged bike lanes and other infrastructure and started education and outreach programs and events.”
The BFC program provides a roadmap to building a Bicycle Friendly Community and the application itself has become an educational tool. Since its inception, more than 900 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 BikeMuncie and local bicycle advocacy programs, visit www.BikeMuncie.org. To learn about the Bicycle Friendly Community program, visit www.bikeleague.org/community.
