BALTIMORE, MD (December 2, 2019) – Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young, along with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation Director Steve Sharkey today announced that the City of Baltimore has received official designation from the League of American Bicyclists as being a ‘Bicycle Friendly Community’. The League honored Baltimore City with a Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award, joining 488 communities across the country in the movement for safer streets and better bicycling.

“The City of Baltimore is proud to receive this award and to be recognized by the League of American Bicyclists for our commitment to cycling,” said Director Sharkey. “This award is a testament to how far Baltimore has come to meet the needs of pedestrians and commuters. With the recent adoption of the city’s new Complete Streets policy, we further our commitment to developing a comprehensive network of bike lanes and trails that connect Baltimore communities and improve livability for residents throughout the city.”

The BFC award recognizes Baltimore City for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices.  With this latest round of 53 new and renewing awardees, there are currently 488 Bicycle Friendly Communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  The Bronze award recognizes Baltimore City’s commitment to improving conditions for all people who bike through investments in biking education programs, bike infrastructure and Complete Streets policies.

“Cities like Baltimore are leading the nation when it comes to important livability factors that people want where they call home, like safe and accessible places to bike,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The City of Baltimore joins 53 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Communities as part of a movement toward more vibrant, healthy, sustainable and connected places.  Our nation and globe are facing complex public health and road safety challenges, and we’re proud that Baltimore along with other cities like it is embracing bicycling.”

More than 850 communities have applied for recognition by the Bicycle Friendly Community program.  The five levels of the BFC award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze, plus an honorable mention category – provide clear incentives for cities to continuously improve.  Awarded communities, including Baltimore City, must renew their status every four years to ensure that they maintain existing efforts and keep up with changing technology, national safety standards, and community-driven best practices.  

The City of Baltimore will continue its commitment to providing smart and sustainable transportation solutions for its residents and is proud to be joining cities nationwide as a certified

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