Becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community “BFC”

1. Becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community“BFC” City Council Meeting January 21, 2014 Bettendorf, IA 52722

2. What is a Bicycle Friendly Community? A Bicycle Friendly Community welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation.

3. What a Great Time to bePromoting Bicycling… Health Economics Quality of life Freedom Environment

4. Overall Goals Make the choice to bike more inviting Better serve those who bike by necessity

5. About the League of American Bicyclists • Founded as League of American Wheelman in 1880 to • Improve riding conditions • Advocate for paved roads - • Called the “Good Roads Movement” “To promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.”

6. League of American Bicyclists Key Programs • Bicycle Friendly America • provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities that actively support bicycling

7. Bicycle Friendly Community Program • National recognition for communities that actively support bicycling • 5 award levels • Diamond • Platinum • Gold • Silver • Bronze • Honorable Mention

8. Bicycle Friendly Community Program Each year, the League assesses all 50 states. Communities, businesses, and universities are assessed through a voluntary application process. Award status lasts four years.

9. Bicycle Friendly Community Program • Over 600+ communities have applied • Currently 292 BFCs in 48 states + Wash, D.C • 4 Platinum, 18 Gold, 57 Silver, 212 Bronze • 5 BFCs in Iowa • Iowa City, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, University Heights • Smallest BFC • Jekyll Island, GA, Bronze (population 877) • Largest BFC • New York, NY, Silver (population 8.1M)

10. BFC Benefits • Economics • Bicycling industry contributes an estimated $133B a year to U.S. economy • Supports nearly 1.1M jobs • Generates $17.7B in federal, state & local taxes • Another $46.9 billion is spent on meals, transportation, lodging, gifts and entertainment during bike trips and tours • Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure Investments, League of American Bicyclists, Darren Flusche, June 2009

11. BFC Benefits Economics

12. BFC Benefits • Health • Improves heart health • Burns calories = lowers weight • Reduces stress

13. BFC Benefits • Quality of Life • Fun, vibrant and livable neighborhoods • Interaction between neighborhoods and citizens • Sense of identity and place

14. BFC Benefits • Environment • Pollution free • Reduces greenhouse gases • Reduces demand for fuel Image from the City of Munster, Germany Planning Office

15. BFC “Best Places” Forbes Best Places to Retire 2013 14 of 25 are BFCs • Alexandria, LA • Ames, IA • Asheville, NC • Athens, GA • Austin, TX • Bangor, MN • Baton Route, LA • Billings, MT • Charlotte, NC • Clearwater, FL • College Station, TX • Columbia, MO • Fargo, ND • Gainesville, FL • Huntsville, AL • Jacksonville, FL • Lexington, KY • Little Rock, AR • Medford, OR • Mesa, AZ • Orlando, FL • Prescott, AZ • San Antonio, TX • Tucson, AZ • Winston-Salem, NC

16. BFC “Best Places” Businessweek Best Places to Live 2012 9 of 10 are BFCs • San Francisco, CA • Seattle, WA • Washington, DC • Boston, MA • Portland, OR • Denver, CO • New York, NY • Austin, TX • San Diego, CA • St. Paul, MN

17. BFC “Best Places” Forbes Healthiest Cities 16 of 20 are BFCs • San Jose, CA • Richmond, VA • San Diego, CA • Cincinnati, O • Salt Lake City, UT • Austin, TX • Pittsburgh, PA • Atlanta, GA • Providence, RI • Baltimore, MD • Minneapolis, MN • Washington, DC • Boston, MA • Portland, OR • Denver, CO • San Francisco, CA • Hartford, CT • Seattle, WA • Virginia Beach, VA • Sacramento, CA

18. Growth in U.S. Bicycle Commuting2000 - 2011

19. Application • Online • http://apply.bikeleague.org/member.php?act=register&categoryId=34 • 89+ questions • 2 deadlines per year • February & July • Next application deadline is Feb 19, 2014 to be considered for a May 2014 designation • Anyone can complete, but community’s governing body must approve final submission • No application or renewal fee

20. Community Profile • Bicycle Advisory Committee? • When does it meet • How many members • What groups represented • Bicycle advocacy groups • Why has your community invested in bicycling? • Quality of life • Health • Climate change • Transportation options • Public demand • Economic development

21. Application Criteria • Engineering • Education • Encouragement • Enforcement • Evaluation & Planning

22. Application Review • League staff • Panel of national bike experts • Local cyclists • Every applicant will receive detailed feedback on how to improve the community for cycling within four months after the submission deadline

23. How to Get Started? • Put together a team • Public Works • Planning • Police • Transit district • Park district • MPO • Advocacy groups • Government official

24. Next Steps to BFC Establish an advisory committee Create a part-time contracted Bike/Ped Coordinator position Pursue bike friendly ordinance changes Obtain endorsements from City Council and Park Board Submit BFC Application by 2-19-14

25. Bike Plan -Products and Process Builds on regional plan --- specific local action items and implementation details

26. Bike Plan - Products - Bike network (off-road and on-road)

27. Bike Plan - Process - IMPLEMENTATION! - Name a staff person in charge of this - Start with “low-hanging fruit” to build support - Be opportunistic; strategize retrofit funding

28. Bicycling is a Solution… …Not a problem Can help solve many local issues

29. Questions? Prepared by - Donnie Miller Bicycle Planning and Safety Consultant bcycleracr@mchsi.com (309) 737-8270