BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA - League of American Bicyclists

“Anytime cycling is brought to the
forefront as transportation, it’s a great
thing. Bicycling is healthy, and using a
bike for transportation puts the idea out
there for people who may not have
considered it before.”
- Anthony Quintile, a board member of
the Flagstaff Biking Organization
ARIZONA
Contact Informa�on: Michael Sanders Phone: 602.712.8141
msanders@azdot.gov
For more info: www.bikeleague.org
BFS
BRONZE
State Highlights: Arizona DOT produces a Share the Road guide to
educate bicyclists and motorists on the legal and safe ways of interac�ng
on roadways. All state employees who drive a state vehicle
must complete driver training with these guidelines. Current police
training includes an interac�ve training on understanding bicycle
crashes and applying traffic laws to cyclists. Also, the state has 72
ac�ve League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) and recently developed and
implemented a Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Awareness Campaign
Pilot Program. The campaign promotes safety �ps for bicyclists,
pedestrians and motorists through a variety of materials.
Arizona DOT’s policy includes provisions for bicycle travel in
all new major construc�on or reconstruc�on projects and u�lizes
intergovernmental agreements with local agencies for maintaining
bicycle facili�es in addi�on to upda�ng the state’s Roadway Design
Guidelines within the last year. Each jurisdic�on is encouraged to
have at least one full-�me Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator and
to make bicycle and pedestrian connec�ons between communi�es
a priority.
In addi�on to the approximately 2,800 miles of non-motorized
natural surface trails open to cyclists, Arizona plays host to many
great recrea�onal and encouragement events. El Tour de Tuscon
and Great Arizona Bicycle Adventure, a mul�-day ride that starts in
northern Arizona and terminates at the Mexico border, are must-do
events for cycling enthusiasts from around the world.
Most compelling sta�s�c: Arizona has 41 LCIs and seven Bicycle
Friendly Communi�es (BFCs). BFCs include:
• Gold - Tucson/East Pima County Region.
• Silver - Sco�sdale and Tempe.
• Bronze - Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Flagstaff.
MINNESOTA
Contact Informa�on: Tim Mitchell Phone: 651.366.4162
�m.mitchell@dot.state.mn.us
BFS
BRONZE
State Highlights: Minnesota’s transporta�on goals include promoting
and increasing bicycling as an energy-efficient, non-pollu�ng
and healthful transporta�on mode. The state DOT works to
promote mul�modal transporta�on op�ons that enhance mobility
and provide access to all road users and has a policy to reduce
traffic fatali�es to zero. In addi�on to offering resources for bikeway
design on the MNDOT Web site, the governor annually releases a
proclama�on declaring Bike to Work Week.
The work throughout the state has led to more paved trails
than any other state and quadrupling the number of League Cycling
Instructors in recent years. The mul�-day Weekend on Wheels in
Winona showcases the scenic bikeways of the state. Though the
state has been home to major players in the bike industry, not to
men�on bicycling’s biggest ally on Capitol Hill in Congressman
Oberstar, its achievements have come without an organized state
advocacy group. With the recent forma�on of Bicycle Alliance of
Minnesota, the state should challenge for a higher ranking and award
designa�on.
Most compelling sta�s�c:
• Minnesota has the third most miles of rail-trails in the U.S.
with 1,461 according to the Rails to Trails conservancy.
• The 2008 Census American Survey results show that Minneapolis
is second in people who commute to work by bicycle in
major ci�es — increasing commuters by 12 percent since 2007.
“The state non-motorized transportation committee (SNTC) is
proud to have Minnesota ranked fifth in the nation. This ranking
has helped us evaluate our priorities and will influence our goals
over the coming years. SNTC will continue to work with MNDOT
on improving non-motorized transportation around the state and
engage people to choose bicycling and walking.”
- Minnesota Statewide Non-Motorized Transportation Committee
Chair, Susan Koschak
American Bicyclist — Bicycle Friendly America 2010 7