Bicycle Friendly Community

South Bend, IN | Bronze Level

Community Highlights: The city puts on a successful Bike to Work Week celebration, drawing over 1000 participants. The major event of the week, Bike the Bend, is a recreational, non-competitive, family-oriented bicycling event that allows participants to create a ride up to 35 miles on trails and streets, restricted from motor vehicle traffic for the day. South Bend is investing another $1.9 million to expand their trail system to allow cyclists to cross the city along the St. Joseph River solely on a shared-use path. Bike safety information is distributed in the local newspaper, local advocate’s blog, city website, rotating displays and safety programs. Safety programs have expanded to three elementary schools, where students participate in helmet fittings and educational sessions led by trained volunteers and the South Bend Police Department.

Recent Accomplishment: South Bend has recently completed the "Cultivate Colfax" initiative—a project that is promoting development and local businesses while enhancing pedestrian, bicycle, and motorist safety. This work targeted Colfax Avenue, a major east-west arterial street leading into downtown South Bend. This also includes an uninterrupted 1.3 mile bike lane downtown and a road diet to the busiest part of the street.

Most Compelling Community Statistic: According to the Census Bureau's 2008 American Community Survey, an estimated 2.29 percent of South Bend commuters traveled to work by bicycle. This number is up from the .41 percent bicycle mode share at the 2000 Census. This 2.29 percent mode share puts it on the top of the list for cities in Indiana.