Bicycle Friendly America Program

The Bicycle Friendly America program provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities, universities and businesses that actively support bicycling, and ranks states annually based on their level of bike-friendliness.

Across the U.S., the interest in bicycling is skyrocketing-- and it's easy to see why. A bike is a ticket to health, mobility, freedom and fun. Bicycling isn't just a way to get from one place to another; it's an avenue to a better life. And when communities, businesses and universities get on board, great things happen.

How do you capture and capitalize on the tremendous benefits of biking? The League's Bicycle Friendly America (BFA) program has the answers.

Over the past 10 years, the League has worked with hundreds of engineers, government officials, and bicycle advocates to identify the DNA of bicycle friendliness. Using that expert knowledge, we've determined the specific projects, policies, programs and plans that really make a difference. And the BFA program gives you the specific tools to turn that knowledge into action.

Providing a roadmap to improve conditions for cyclists at the state and local level, the BFA program has expanded and evolved to serve four distinct areas. Click on the links below to learn about each of the programs:

Bicycle Friendly Communities
Bicycle Friendly States
Bicycle Friendly Businesses
Bicycle Friendly Universities

Click here for a map of BFCs, BFBs and BFUs in your area!

With comprehensive online applications, the program collects data on activities within five broad areas:

Engineering: Physical infrastructure and hardware to support cycling

Education: Programs that ensure the safety, comfort and convenience of cyclists and fellow road users

Encouragement: Incentives, promotions and opportunities that inspire and enable people to ride

Enforcement: Equitable laws and programs that ensure motorists and cyclists are held accountable

Evaluation: Processes that demonstrate a commitment to measuring results and planning for the future

But the BFA program is more than an assessment. All applicants get customized feedback on their application and access to technical assistance. If you aren't bicycle friendly yet, we'll help you get there. And once you've made the ranks of a Bicycle Friendly Community, Business or University, the BFA program helps you get to the next level.

Upcoming BFA application deadlines:
Business June 20, 2013
University - July 24, 2013
Community - July 16, 2013
State - January 2014

Download our new Bicycle Friendly America Brochure and click the links on the top right of the page to learn more about each of the BFA programs.