Bicycle Friendly Community

North Little Rock, AR | Bronze Level

Community Highlights: North Little Rock is home to the Arkansas River Trail, a seven mile multi-use trail linking the downtown area of the city to the Big Dam Bridge which spans the Arkansas River to the west. The Big Dam Bridge, the longest bicycle-pedestrian bridge in the world, has greatly enhanced the popularity of bicycling as a recreational activity in the community and served as a backbone to connect trails and bicycle routes from the surrounding neighborhoods. Mayor Hays, an avid cyclist, sets an example for the city staff and local citizens and acts as a champion for cycling issues within the city. The City has adoped a Complete Streets policy to ensure accessibility of its transportation network for all citizens. As a result, the city is attracting new businesses interested in health benefits and cycling facilities, increasing not only the local tax base and economy, but enhancing the City's growing cycling culture.

Most Recent Significant Accomplishment: The City invested $4.5 million to develop of the Junction Bridge (former lift-span railroad bridge) as a dedicated bicycle-pedestrian bridge across the Arkansas River to link the downtown districts of North Little Rock and Little Rock.

Current Activities that Promote Bicycling: North Little Rock hosts the two largest organized bicycling events in Arkansas - the Tour de Rock 100 and the Big Dam Bridge 100 Century Tour. Tour de Rock, now in its 6th year, averages 1,200 riders each year, and the third Big Dam Bridge 100 in 2008 attracted 1,700 riders. Both ride events start and end in North Little Rock, and the City provides substantial logistical support and traffic control.