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. The City 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. In addition, public art is an integral part of Tempe's bikeway system. All of the bike/pedestrian bridges and multi-use path projects include an art element to reflect the character of the community and add a sense of connectivity between the bicycle and the man-made environment.

Most Compelling Community Statistic: Completed in 2010, the Western Canal Multi-use Path Project connects Tempe with the cities of Phoenix, Mesa and Chandler completing a critical link in the Valley's pedestrian freeway. It links four public parks, three schools, numerous recreational facilities and employment centers and dozens of retail outlets. It converted miles of nearly unusable unpaved maintenance roads with high transmission power lines into a shaded, accessible linear park and public amenity. The path was designed in response to public interest in providing new opportunities for bicyclists, joggers and pedestrians to enjoy amenities and recreational opportunities. In September 2010, it received the prestigious Valley Forward Crescordia Award thereby acknowledging Tempe's commitment to improve bicycle facilities.

Most Compelling Statistic: There are over 20,000 bicyclists on the Arizona State University Tempe campus each day.