Davis Goes Platinum, Again

Davis has once again been named a Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community. It’s the highest ranking possible in the country. The city elaborated in a release today: 

Davis holds the honor of being named the very first platinum city in October 2005. Davis will retain the platinum designation until 2015 when it will apply once again for renewal. Portland, OR and Boulder, CO joined Davis several years ago as the only other U.S. cities to earn a platinum designation.

“The League congratulates Davis for implementing successful, long-term bicycle plans and programs that provide quality of life improvements for their citizens,” said League President Andy Clarke. “Even in tough economic times it is clear that cities are choosing investment in bicycling as a key to building the places people want to live, work and visit.” There are now 190 communities in 46 states that have received some level of Bicycle Friendly Community recognition.

The BFC award recognizes Davis’ commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. The BFC judges were particularly impressed with the following bicycle activities:

• Davis has become the permanent home of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. The museum opened April 2010 featuring community events and education, a speakers program, Hall of Fame memorabilia and museum bicycles from the historic Pierce Miller bicycle collection.
• The Livestrong Foundation produced a successful Livestrong Challenge bicycle event in Davis in July 2011. They plan to return in June 2012 to use the Central Park venue for bicycling displays and events.
• As part of the Davis High School stadium renovation in 2010, the Davis Joint Unified School District along with community support created the new Steve Larsen Bicycle Plaza.
• Bicycle “Loops” around the community are identified by painted symbols on bicycle paths. A local “Loopalooza” event helps publicize safe routes to local schools.
• Davis hosted successful stage starts of the Amgen Tour of California professional bicycle race in February 2009 and in May 2010.
• The Davis Bike Club is one of the most active bicycling clubs in the U.S. It has successfully produced well-known bicycle tours and races such as the Davis Double Century (42 years),

4th of July Criterium (35 years) and Foxy’s Fall Century (35 years)

• Davis features active advocacy groups such as Davis Bicycles! and the Davis Bike Collective with its “Bike Forth” bicycle shop
• The UC Davis Cycling intercollegiate racing team has a long tradition as a collegiate cycling powerhouse. Davis is the home of the 2009 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championship men and women’s team.
• The Davis Farmer’s Market Farm to School Program will hold its 3rd annual “Tour de Cluck” bicycle tour of backyard chicken coops on May 26, 2012 to support its fresh food in school meals initiative.
• Davis Odd Fellows created the “World’s Greatest Bicycle Parade” which began in 2010.
• Some local hotels are now providing loaner bicycyles for their guests.
• Recent new Davis businesses have provided showers and lockers for their bike commuting employees and covered bicycle parking for clients.
• The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is now encouraging participants in Davis’ youth soccer leagues to arrive by bicycle to games and practices.

“We are proud of the roadmap that the Bicycle Friendly Community program provides and how Davis is using it to build a Platinum BFC,” said Bill Nesper, Director of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program. “We are inspired by the tireless efforts of individuals and groups, from everyday cyclists to city leaders to build great communities for bicycling.”

Davis was the first city in the United States to install official bicycle lanes in 1967. Davis has been a model city for hundreds of U.S. cities while developing a safe, integrated bicycle transportation network of paths and lanes in the community. As a community of 11 square miles, Davis now features over 100 miles of combined bicycle lanes and dedicated bike paths. Some intersections feature traffic signals specifically designed for bicycle traffic. There are also 19 bicycle undercrossings in Davis and 9 bridges.

For over forty four years, Davis has had one of the highest levels of bicycle use in the country.  Bike lanes and trails permeate the community and enable people of all ages to ride to school, to work, and for recreation and errands. Davis is also the only city in the United States that features a high-wheeled bicycle in its official city logo.

Other local bicycle support includes: police officers on bicycles, May is Bike Month activities, Bike to Work & School events, bicycle auctions, bike rodeos, printed bike maps, incorporating bicycling in various city recreation programs, city staff assigned to bicycle infrastructure and programs, a Bicycle Advisory Commission, seven active bicycle shops (including the UC Davis Bike Barn) and an active hand-built bicycle frame building community including Peter Wagner and his creations known as Whymcycles.

The application to become a official Bicycle Friendly Community is extensive and rigorous; currently only 190 of the 490 total applicants have received any of the BFC four-year designations. The renewal process and four levels of the award – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve.

In addition to the high percentage of new BFCs that had previously received no award or were listed as Honorable Mentions, more than half of the renewing BFCs moved to a higher award level including Breckenridge, Colo.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Steamboat Springs, Colo. and La Crosse, Wis.

2011 Fall Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) Winners

11 communities were awarded the BFC designation for the first time:

Bronze Level:

• Conway, Ark.
• Goshen, Ind.
• New Orleans, La.
• Omaha, Neb.
• Reno‐Sparks Washoe County, Nev.
• Saint Paul, Minn.
• Santa Fe, N.M.
• Sheboygan, Wis.
• Shorewood, Wis.
• The Woodlands, Texas
• West Windsor, N.J.

14 communities successfully renewed their designation and seven moved up to higher BFC designations (designated with a * after their name):

Platinum (highest level)

Davis, Calif.

Gold:

• Breckenridge, Colo.*
• Corvallis, Ore.
• Palo Alto, Calif.
• Steamboat Spring, Colo.*
• Scottsdale, Ariz.*

Silver:

• Arlington, Va.
• Burlington, Vt.*
• La Crosse, Wis.*
• Redmond, Wash.*
• Sacramento, Calif.*
• San Luis Obispo, Calif.
• Tempe, Ariz.

Bronze:

Chattanooga, Tenn.

Fall 2011 Honorable Mention Bike Friendly Communities

• Cincinnati, Ohio
• College Station, Texas
• Conyers, Ga.
• Dubuque, Iowa
• Erie, Colo.
• Gahanna, Ohio
• Greenville, N.C.
• Hagerstown, Md.
• Lafayette, Calif.
• Leawood, Kan.
• Lee's Summit, Mo.
• Logan, Utah
• Los Angeles, Calif.
• Memphis, Tenn.
• Miami, Fla.
• Orange County, Calif.
• Phoenix, Ariz.
• Pleasanton, Calif.
• Portland, Maine
• Rancho Cordova, Calif.
• Reston, Va.
• River Falls, Wis.

About the Bicycle Friendly America Program

In addition to the Bicycle Friendly Community program, the League of American Bicyclists also supports Bicycle Friendly University (UC Davis was awarded gold in 2011), Bicycle Friendly State, and Bicycle Friendly Business programs. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, click here. 

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information visit www.bikeleague.org.