Decatur is Officially a Bicycle Friendly Community!

Across the U.S. bicycling is on the rise, thanks in part to cities like Decatur taking steps to make riding safer and more comfortable for all residents. Today, the League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) and Decatur has been named a Bronze Level BFC!

“We are excited that the City of Decatur recognizes that simple steps to make biking safe and comfortable pay huge dividends in civic, community and economic development'” said League President Andy Clarke. “Bicycling is more than a practical, cost effective solution to many municipal challenges – it’s a way to make Decatur a place where people don’t just live and work, but thrive.”

To learn more about the BFC program, click here.

Over the past several years, the City of Decatur has added bicycle lanes, bicycle racks, and sharrows. Two new bike stores have opened. and there are group bike rides that occur on a regular basis in Decatur.  Bike Valet parking was added to the two major festivals, the Decatur Arts Festival and the Decatur Book Festival. Walking and riding bikes around the city has become more commonplace as people feel safer and  more comfortable on their bikes.

“A year ago, I would have never thought that I would have the  courage to ride down Ponce de Leon during rush hour. With the addition of the sharrow road markings and the steadily increasing number of bicyclists, I now feel very comfortable riding my bike around the city. ”  A Local Bicyclist