At the international Pro Walk/ Pro Bike Conference, Mayor Greg Nickels was presented with a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community award by the League of American Bicyclists.

The award recognizes Seattle's commitment to, and investment in, improving conditions for bicyclists. More than four percent of Seattle residents commute by bicycle, 10 times the national average.

"Seattle is honored that our work on enhancing cycling citywide has been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists," said Nickels. "Our Bicycle Master Plan laid out aggressive 10-year goals to triple the amount of bike usage and reduce bike accidents by a third, which is essential given the impact of cars on the environment. Being honored as a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community shows Seattle is in high gear in moving toward those goals."

Judges from the League of American Bicyclists were particularly impressed with Seattle's critically acclaimed Bicycle Master Plan. The plan lays out a 450-mile bicycling network that is being implemented over the next 10 years. Other highlights for the judges were:

Increased funding and rapid implementation of projects such as bike lanes, shared lane markings, and multi-use facilities;

Investment of $300,000 in the Bike Smart Seattle program, which will reach every household with bicycling encouragement and education;

Recreational facilities such as the Colonnade Urban Mountain Bike Skills Park; and

Bike Station Seattle, which offers bike parking, rentals, and repairs downtown.

"Over the last 20 years Seattle has shown incredible leadership in creating a Bicycle Friendly Community," said League President Andy Clarke. "The city has the basics of extensive bike parking and a great bike map; it has signature projects like the I-90 and Burke-Gilman trails; and is now embarking on innovative bicycle boulevards, signals, education, and marketing programs. We commend Mayor Nickels for his vision in creating a world class, sustainable city, for his leadership in facing up to the challenge of climate change, and for recognizing that the simple act of getting more people on bikes is at the heart of both."

A strong advocacy community, including the Cascade Bicycle Club and the long-standing Bicycle Advisory Committee, supports Seattle's active and diverse bicycling culture. This, coupled with the investment by city government and local businesses, has pushed Seattle to be recognized as a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community. Seattle joins the prestigious company of San Francisco, Boulder, Colo., and Madison, Wis., at the gold-level.