Bicycle Friendly Community

Tempe, AZ | Silver Level

Community Highlights: Tempe has a historical 40-year commitment to improving bicycling facilities. In 1971, Tempe was the first city in Arizona to build a bike lane. Tempe has the highest population density and percentage of bicycle riders in the state of Arizona. Tempe is committed to providing a complete, seamless bikeway system that integrates with the bus and light rail system to make traveling by bicycle convenient and safe. The city places a special emphasis on a traffic calming policy, a policy not to add any motor vehicle capacity but to move more people at the same time. Tempe uses bike lanes combined with transit, does promotional campaigns, uses commuter alternative programs and creates bike parking to meet this goal.

Most Compelling Community Statistic: In the past two years, Tempe has seen the creation of two nonprofit organizations dedicated toward bicycling advocacy, funding and education. The Tempe Bicycle Action Group and Bicycle Saviours work with city staff and city council, restore bicycles for re-distribution into the community and support an enhanced bicycle community.

Best Result of Designation: Bicycling in Tempe continues to generate media attention and continued funding in an effort to further enhance the city's bicycle friendly status. The city is deeply committed to financing bicycle projects and supporting, politically and culturally, a community that is aware of the bicycle as a key ingredient to the long term sustainability of the city.