BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA - League of American Bicyclists

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
Since: 2004 Popula�on: 117,182 Square Miles: 49.1
Contact Informa�on: Dekova Batey 352.334.5070
bikeped@cityofgainesville.org
For more info: www.bikeleague.org
BFC
SILVER
Community Highlights: Gainesville boasts one of the highest
percentages of bicycle commuters among major popula�on centers
in the U.S. at 5.25 percent. With so many cyclists on Gainesville’s
streets, bicyclist and motorist educa�on are cri�cal. The city’s
police department works with the community and the Bicycle/Pedestrian
Advisory Board to address traffic enforcement in targeted
areas related to bicycle hazards and Share the Road issues. Gainesville
has a Safe Routes to School program to improve safety and
encourage children to bicycle and walk to school. The Florida Traffic
and Bicycle Safety Educa�on Program works in associa�on with the
local Community Traffic Safety Team on mee�ng with the county’s
school principals to strengthen current efforts. The University of
Florida Police Department has a bicycle safety school, with classes
offered every Tuesday night and Saturday morning for those who
receive �ckets for bicycle viola�ons on campus.
Most Significant Recent Accomplishment: Gainesville successfully
coordinated a land alloca�on from CSX railroad company, which
had been in a nego�a�on gridlock for about ten years. Thanks to
the City of Gainesville Public Works Department, State of Florida
and the Trust for Public Land, a rail-trail through the historic heart
of Gainesville is underway.
Minneapolis is great place
to ride a bike, and the BFC
program has provided us with
a great tool for collaboration
between our local bike industry,
advocates and city staff. With
the BFC program, we’ve been
able to align ourselves with
other great cities and set goals
for a bike program that is truly
world-class.
– Nick Mason, Dero Bike Rack Co. &
Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
Since: 2008 Popula�on: 373,188 Square Miles: 58
Contact Informa�on: Shaun Murphy 612.333.2450
Shaun.Murphy@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
BFC
SILVER
Community Highlights: Minneapolis has the second most number
of bicycle commuters of the larger ci�es in the U.S., right behind
Portland, Ore., and is a four-season bicycling city. Minneapolis
invested in a connected network of on- and off-street facili�es
reaching over 120 miles, launched educa�on programs for cyclists,
and encouraged more people to get on their bikes. The city’s
bicycle ambassador program employs four full-�me staff to, “build
a culture of courtesy, acceptance and safety for all mode-shares,
including motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.” The city promotes
bicycling by offering subsidized shower, locker, and bicycle storage
facili�es at two downtown parking facili�es.
Most Significant Recent Accomplishment: Minneapolis has secured
funding and laid the groundwork for the largest bicycle sharing
program in the country – 1,000 bicycles at 75 loca�ons. Significant
private and public contribu�ons are propelling this project forward
and is scheduled to open in 2010.
Most Compelling Community Sta�s�c: The 3rd annual city-wide
bicycle count turned out 140 volunteers, who counted for a total
of 300 hours. This has resulted in the city’s first bicycle traffic map
and revealed the city’s busiest bikeway – 6,500 bicyclists cross the
Washington Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River in a typical
24-hour period.
American Bicyclist — Bicycle Friendly America 2010 25