With the May 11, 2017 announcement, Ventura joins a group of communities, in all 50 states, that are transforming their neighborhoods. There are now 416 communities nationwide currently recognized with a BFC award for their efforts to make biking better.
This is the first time that the City of Ventura has qualified as a Bicycle Friendly Community. Local bicycle club and advocacy organization, Channel Islands Bicycle Club, assisted with the application and has supported the many improvements for cyclists in Ventura that resulted in this recognition.
“We applaud these communities for making improvements for people who bike in ways that build upon their existing strengths and are based upon their particular needs, whether that is infrastructure, education, or encouragement,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director at the League of American Bicyclists. “We are encouraged by the way that communities are using bicycling as a part of their solution to issues of health, job access, traffic safety, and the environment and using our program to make progress in those issues.”
The Bronze BFC award recognizes Ventura’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. The BFC program provides a benchmark for communities to evaluate these conditions and policies, while highlighting areas for improvement. The national scope of the program also promotes competition and comparison between communities.
Each community that applies for a BFC award receives a report card. The report cards for communities that receive an award are available in the League of American Bicyclists’ award database.
“We are very proud of the many recent infrastructure projects in Ventura, such as the clearly marked bike lanes and green ‘bike boxes’ at intersections, that help cyclists and motorists share the road in Ventura,” said Leslie Ogden, Government Liaison at Channel Islands Bicycle Club. “We encourage new riders to sign up for a Street Skills class through the City of Ventura and learn the techniques for safe road cycling.”
The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. The Bicycle Friendly Community program was created in 1995 and has processed more than 1,200 applications since 2002.
To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit: www.bikeleague.org/BFA
About the Channel Islands Bicycle Club
The Channel Islands Bicycle Club (CIBike) represents over 300 cyclists from Ventura County and beyond. The Club sponsors weekly road bike rides and co-sponsors the annual “Cool Breeze Century Ride” every August. CIBike advocates for safe cycling facilities and provides grants to organizations that promote cycling for recreation, health, sport, and transportation. CIBike is partnering with the City of Ventura to offer the Street Skills classes.
