NYC Awarded Bronze Medal for Biking

The League of American Bicyclists has awarded New York City a Bronze Medal "Bicycle Friendly Community" designation. The City was recognized for its commitment to dramatically expand the number of bike lanes, experimenting with new street designs to protect cyclists and undertaking a landmark study of where and how bicyclists are injured on City streets. New York City is one of seven cities across the country awarded a medal in 2007. "Cycling is booming in New York City and word is getting out that biking is a quick, environmentally friendly, and more importantly, safe way to get around town," said Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "We're thrilled to be recognized by the League of American Bicyclists and look forward to going for the gold in 2008."

"Never before has New York City been recognized as a national leader in biking," says Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "The City has turned a corner; we're seeing safer bike lane designs on streets like 9th Avenue and more attention to issues like indoor bicycle parking."

The City of New York will need to reapply in 2008 in order to retain its designation. In hopes of seeing a silver medal in the next round, Transportation Alternatives is advocating for better enforcement against dangerous and illegal driving, physically-protected bike lanes on major streets to ensure the safety of the 130,000 who bike daily and for bicycle access to buildings, so that people who want to bike to work can do so with the assurance that their bicycles will be out of harm's way throughout the workday. The League of American Bicyclists announcement is available at: bikeleague.org/news/092707bfc.php.