By Camas Frank ~
If the City of San Luis Obispo were a person, it would have to make more space on the mantle for yet another award — and this time it’s a gold medal.
On Nov. 16 the League of American Bicyclists put SLO on its list of “Bicycle Friendly Communities” or BFCs.
Of course the town was already a silver level BFC, but as players of online roleplaying games can attest, it always feels good to level up.
The folks over at Bike SLO County — formerly called the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition — were certainly pleased with the announcement.
“Bike SLO County couldn’t be more excited to hear the news that SLO was designated as a Gold Bike Friendly Community, ” Dan Rivoire, SLO City Councilman and executive director of Bike SLO County, said in a press statement. “As we join three other Gold Level cities in California and 23 Gold Level cities throughout the U.S., people in our city and county are starting to really realize how awesome it is that our community is building safer streets for everyone.
“Today, we’re feeling especially proud of our hard work and evermore thankful to local residents, supporters, and city staff that are getting new bike friendly projects on every passing month.”
According to his analysis, the State of California has 55 BFCs with four of them in SLO County. As a countywide nonprofit, they’re looking to add more all the time, but for now the cities of Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande and Morro Bay can polish their figurative Bronze medallions.
The basics of a BFC designation requires that a community, “welcomes bicyclists by providing safe accommodations for bicycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation. Making bicycling safe and convenient are keys to improving public health, reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality and improving quality of life.”
Lest the City of SLO rest on its laurels, unlike the Olympics, there are two heftier categories than Gold. If the City applies itself a little bit more, maybe by completing the lauded but long suffering Bicycle Transportation Plan, it could earn a Platinum or even Diamond designation in years to come.
For more information see: bikeleague.org/bfa.
