Communities across the country are working hard to encourage more people to ride bikes, which is beneficial for everyone. To recognize this progress, the League of American Bicyclists has awarded 58 places with the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. These communities are being recognized for their efforts to create a nation where every person has the option to safely and conveniently choose to ride a bike. In Arkansas, two communities, Bentonville and Conway, have been upgraded from Bronze to Silver level. The cities of Rogers, Benton, and Washington Counties have been certified at the Silver level. Fayetteville is the only city in Arkansas to have achieved the Gold level. Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Springdale have been certified at the Bronze level.
“Today, we celebrate 58 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Communities that exemplify an ongoing commitment to make bicycling safe, comfortable, and accessible to all,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “This round of awards is a testament to the dedication of the growing network of changemakers who with the League are raising the standard of what it means to be a Bicycle Friendly Community.”
Bentonville, Arkansas
“We are honored and proud to receive the silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community Award from the League of American Bicyclists. This recognition is a testament to our city’s commitment to building a community that prioritizes safe, comfortable and accessible transportation for all residents. Bentonville is dedicated to establishing cycling side paths and transportation channels that provide safe and accessible routes. Biking is more than a means of transportation in Bentonville, it’s also a way of life for many that promotes a healthy lifestyle. This award reflects Bentonville’s dedication to creating a city where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the benefits of biking, whether for recreation or daily commuting in the safest manner possible.” – Mayor Stephanie Orman.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate our city’s achievement of bicycle-friendly silver status. This accomplishment showcases the progress we have made in promoting active transportation and improving the quality of life for all of our residents with improved infrastructure and a better, safer mobility network. The Connecting Bentonville Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan has played a vital role in transforming our city into a more bike and pedestrian-friendly place, and we extend our gratitude to the City for their continued investment in this initiative.” – Jessica Pearson, Bentonville Move Coalition Manager.
“Trailblazers congratulates the City of Bentonville on receiving the Silver Designation for Bicycle Friendly Community awards from the League of American Bicyclists. Trailblazers takes immense pride in supporting Bentonville’s dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment for people riding bikes. Throughout our close collaboration with the City of Bentonville during the application process, Trailblazers had the privilege of supporting the city in its commitment to residents and vistors. Bentonville exemplifies the spirit of “Movement For All,” actively working towards building a vibrant and accessible bicycle community.”—David Criswell /Sr. Director of Active Transportation Trailblazers.
Conway, Arkansas
“I am thrilled and honored that Conway has been designated a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community,” said Mayor Bart Castleberry. “This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe and accessible environment for cyclists, promoting health and well-being, and fostering a vibrant community for all. With construction of the Connect Conway Greenway Trail on the horizon, let’s continue pedaling towards a future where cycling is not just a mode of transportation, but a way of life that enhances the lives of everyone in our community.”
The City of Conway thanked the following individuals and organizations for their help:
- Conway Advocates for Bicycling (CAB)
- Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
- Conway Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board (BPAB)
- Conway Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Conway Corporation
- Conway Department of Parks & Recreation
- Conway Police Department
- Conway Transportation Department
- Jeremy Chrysler, former chair of Conway Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board
- National Interscholastic Cycling Association – Arkansas
- Terry Coddington
About the Bicycle Friendly Community℠ Program
Bicycle Friendly Community awards reflect local leaders’ ongoing work to build better places to bike and evaluate those efforts as part of a national movement. Each of the five levels of the Bicycle Friendly University award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, plus an honorable mention category – provide a clear path for cities and towns to continuously improve. Visit bikeleague.org/community to learn more about the BFC program.
About the League Of American Bicyclists
Since 1880, the League of American Bicyclists has been people-powered, with a goal to make bicycling safer and easier as a means of transportation and recreation. Today, the League continues to improve lives and strengthen communities through bicycling. We are more than 200,000 members and supporters strong with more than 1,000 state and local advocacy groups and bike clubs as well as thousands of businesses, universities, and communities together leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.
