FAQs

Who should complete the questionaire and/or application?

The state bike coordinator should complete the ranking questionnaire and the award application. Statewide bicycle advocacy organizations may complete or assist in the award application, but the application should be submitted by the state coordinator or other state government employee.

if the questionaire is not compeleted, is a state still ranked?

Yes, all 50 states will still be ranked. League staff will complete unanswered questionnaires to determine ranking. However, as state coordinators, bicycle advisory committee representatives or state bicycle advocates have a better understanding of the laws, policies and practices in their states, their questionnaires will be more complete.

What if my state ranks low, won't it be used against me? Why should i bother applying for an award or continue to update my ranking questionaire annually?

The goal of the BFS program is not to punish states that perform poorly, but rather to recognize those that support bicycling and use them as models for the rest of the country. Rankings will allow states to see how they stack up nationally.

All award applicants, regardless of designation, will receive detailed feedbacks from our expert review panel as well as local cyclists on things that are working well and areas that need improvement. In the successful Bicycle Friendly Community program, communities use the application and feedback as a template and action plan to improve their bicycling - often with tremendous results!

is there an application or renewal fee?

No. Thanks to the generous support of the Bikes Belong Coalition and Trek Bicycle we are able to waive all application fees.

Does my state need to be doing everything on the application in order to receive the award?

No. The completed application provides a detailed picture of a community. Award determination is based on the application score and the feedback from local cyclists.

Items left blank on submitted ranking questionnaires will be scored as "no" answers and scored accordingly.

i need help completing the questionaire/application, what should i do?

Review the technical assistance page which offers links to information needed and examples of best practices. If you cannot locate the answer to your question or the appropriate resource, please contact us at info@bicyclefriendlystate.org or call 202.822.1333.