Walker and Richfield move up to Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community Awards. Marshall, Edina, and Battle Lake successfully renew their Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community Awards.
[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] – Thief River Falls is Minnesota’s newest community to be recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). Minnesota, the fifth most bicycle-friendly state in the U.S., now boasts 34 BFCs. Walker and Richfield advanced from a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community award to a silver-level award.
Bicycle Friendly Community awards recognize these communities’ commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure, and pro-bicycling policies.
Congratulations also go to the cities of Marshall, Edina, and Battle Lake, who all renewed their bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community Status.
“Being a Bicycle Friendly Community takes more than hosting a yearly event or building a few bike lanes,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The best communities for people who bike are places where efforts to build connected bike networks are complemented by ensuring equal access to bike education and hosting inclusive community rides and events for all types of riders. They are places where embedding equity and accessibility into bicycling efforts is the rule, not the exception, making them truly better for everyone. This round of BFC awards is a testament to the community leaders and local bike advocates who recognize the importance of a whole-of-community approach to bettering biking.”
Bicycling creates revenue and jobs for our state. It brings tourists (and their pocketbooks) to towns for community rides and scenic adventures. Bicycling keeps Minnesotans healthy and hearty. Small infrastructure projects like trails and sidewalks create nearly double the number of jobs per dollar spent than big highway projects. Cities are also working on plans to make their communities safer for youth to walk and bike to school.
“One in five people in Greater Minnesota ride a bicycle at least once a week and communities in every corner of the state are working on plans to attract more residents, businesses, and tourists by becoming more bicycle friendly,” said Dorian Grilley, Executive Director of BikeMN. “We’re excited to see Thief River Falls recognized for their efforts!”