Boulder awarded “platinum” level Bicycle Friendly Community award The League of American Bicyclists announced today the latest Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designations, and for the first time awarded Boulder with a “platinum” designation. The platinum designation is the highest honor a community can receive; only two other cities in the country have received the platinum award.
Applicant communities were judged in five categories including engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation and planning. Communities with more significant achievements in all of these areas receive superior awards.
“The League of American Bicyclists is the leader for bicyclist education and advocacy in the country,” said Boulder Mayor Shaun McGrath. “To be recognized by such a progressive organization with its highest honor, only highlights the strides Boulder has made in creating exceptional bicycle programs, facilities and community values. To all the people who ride bikes in Boulder, including kids riding to school, world-class racers training for their next event, commuters riding to work, the mountain bikers riding Marshall Mesa, and the families biking to the Farmer’s Market, I say, thank you for riding and for your long-term support for making Boulder a good place to ride a bike.”
McGrath said the designation will only fuel Boulder’s inspiration to pedal the path of a model bicyclist-friendly community. “The league has recognized us as one of the very best in the nation. But I am aware, as are most cyclists in Boulder, that we still have work to do to make bicycling safer and more attractive to more people. This award will inspire the city, and hopefully our community, to continue our progress.”
In 2004, Boulder was awarded the gold designation. Up for renewal this year, the city’s continued efforts earned it the top notch platinum designation until 2011. Long-standing collaboration between city departments, and strong partnerships with other agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals throughout the community, made this designation possible.
In early 2007, Boulder City Council set goals for bicycling including achieving a platinum rating and hosting a Bike Summit. The summit, held in fall 2007, was attended by nearly 100 leaders from the bicycling community and staff from local agencies who gathered to brainstorm a vision that would make Boulder the bicycling capital of the world in 20 years.
“We are so honored to receive the platinum designation for bicycle friendly communities,” said Interim City Manager Stephanie Grainger. “We have worked extremely hard on making Boulder a place that residents and visitors alike can easily get around by bike. Receiving this award is solid confirmation that our efforts have been recognized and that our community truly depends on our bike facilities for their daily commutes.”
For more information, contact Martha Roskowski, GO Boulder, at 303-441-4155 or visit www.bouldercolorado.gov.