CARY REMAINS NATIONAL BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY

CARY, NC – The League of American Bicyclists has renewed the Town of Cary’s prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community designation in recognition of Cary’s continued commitment to improving conditions for bicycling and its practice of making focused investment in bicycling programs and facilities.  Cary’s BFC award was renewed following a detailed audit of the Town’s efforts to provide safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists and to encourage residents to bike for transportation and recreation.  The BFC judges were particularly impressed with Cary’s new bicycle education video, which airs regularly on Cary TV 11 and is available on the Town’s Web site. Reviewers were also impressed with Cary’s annual Cycling Celebration, the addition of bike racks to Town transit buses, and its participation as a pilot in the Safe Routes to School program.

"The League is delighted to again recognize Cary for its efforts to welcome bicyclists and make bicycling safer and more enjoyable,” said Andy Clarke, Executive Director of the League.  “We applaud Cary and our other BFC communities for their willingness to invest over the long-term in creating a better, more livable environment for their citizens.”

Just 49 of the 114 applicants for the BFC award have been granted the designation; Carboro is the only other NC municipality to be recognized this year.

League staff and reviewers consider several factors before granting a community BFC status, including:

• The physical environment for bicycling on-street facilities, trails, parking, etc.
• Education programs to promote a "share the road" ethic among bicyclists and drivers
• Promotional initiatives to persuade people to ride or ride more often
• Enforcement of traffic laws for both motorists and bicyclists
• Future plans and evaluation techniques to improve conditions further
  
   

The League's Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is a national grassroots effort to increase the number of trips made by bike, promote physical fitness, and help make communities more livable. The Campaign works town by town, city by city - to encourage bicycling and achieve a bicycle-friendly America. The Campaign is supported by generous grants from the Bikes Belong Coalition (www.bikesbelong.org).

Kevin Coggins, owner of Spin Cycle, will present this year’s award to the Cary Town Council during their next regular meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 28 at the Herb Young Community Center.  For more, visit Bicycle Plan at www.townofcary.org.

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