Stillwater NewsPress

Local News

October 19, 2012

Stillwater earns bronze level bicycling honor

Staff Writer Stillwater NewsPress

STILLWATER, Okla. — Stillwater has been named a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

 “We are excited that Stillwater is being recognized as a bicycle friendly community,” said Mayor John Bartley. “By making biking safe and comfortable, we will see dividends in civic, community and economic development.”

Bartley received the certification from Keith Reed, a  representative of the Stillwater Bicycle Committee and member of the Red Dirt Pedalers and the OSU Cycling club. Members of the Red Dirt Pedalers, OSU Cycling club and others in the Stillwater bicycling community attended the ceremony.

The addition of the new “sharrow” lane markings, “share the road” signage and bike racks on the OSU buses were a crucial part of the city receiving this designation, according to a release from Sherry Fletcher, marketing and public relations director for the city.

“In addition to making Stillwater a safer place to ride, these changes have helped to increase public awareness of the pedaling public,” Bartley said. “The award is also a validation of the efforts of local bicycle advocates who have worked tirelessly for years to make Stillwater a safer and more enjoyable place to ride. This award is just one of many good things happening in the Stillwater bicycling community.”

Stillwater is the third Oklahoma community to be recognized as a bronze level community, following Norman and Tulsa.

There are now 242 bicycle-designated communities in 47 states in the United States. The bronze award recognizes Stillwater’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies, the release states.

 Reed said receiving the award was a result of an overall community effort, not just the work of the bicycle clubs. Reed said he wanted to alert people that bicycling is a big deal.

“Bicycling is more than a practical, cost-effective solution to many municipal challenges – it’s a way to make Stillwater a place where people don’t just live and work, but thrive,” Reed said.

The League of American Bicyclists’ website, bikeleague.org, states more than 500 communities have applied for the award, and the five levels of the award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve.

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