Long Beach has been upgraded to a “Silver Bicycle Friendly City” by the League of American Bicyclists. This award puts the City of Long Beach in a select group of cities across the nation; only five other cities were upgraded from Bronze to Silver, and only 39 cities overall have Silver status.
This award recognizes bike safety educational programs in each of our elementary and middle schools; the creation of the nation’s first bike friendly business districts, which has resulted in an increased number of visitors and residents “biking to shop and dine locally;” and investment in bike related infrastructure.
More than 20 bike-related businesses have opened or significantly expand in Long Beach in the past 18 months.
Since being award Bronze Status in 2009, Long Beach has increased the number of miles of bike lanes by 25 percent. The city has instituted bike-friendly business district programs in the Bixby Knolls, Retro Row, East Village and Cambodia Town business districts. More than 175 businesses have enrolled in the Bike Saturday business program, and more than 60,000 elementary and middle school children have participated in the City’s Safe Routes to School educational program. In addition, the Bike Fest and Tour of Long Beach has grown into a major event for the city, the region and charity sponsor Miller’s Children’s Hospital.
In the next year, an additional 15 miles of bike facilities are planned throughout Long Beach, many in the northern and western portions of the city. A bike share program similar to those in many European cities, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, and Denver, will soon offer residents and visitors the opportunity to rent bikes in one location and return them to another.
The League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community program evaluates and recognizes investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.