A regional task force has drafted an application to the League of American Bicyclists to recognize Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln as well as Burleigh and Morton counties as a Bicycle Friendly Community.
Will Hutchings, planner for the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization, outlined the application before the Burleigh County Commission Monday. No action was taken.
The application will be presented before the MPO Policy Board for action Jan. 19.
According to Hutchings, the urban area has more than 100 miles of off-street multi-use paths and the network is growing to keep up with the spike in population.
It features more than six over or underpasses that allow cyclists to safely cross busy roadways and two protected Missouri River crossings, he said.
Criteria for the selecting communities include engineering, education with community and school safety programs, how much the community encourages biking, enforcement of safety when bicyclists and motorists interact and study/planning for bicycle infrastructure.
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His report showed the metroarea encourages children through adults to bike through bike safety/helmet use programs, "Bike to Work" programs, cycling and triathlon events.
The Bismarck-Mandan region lies in the top 25 percent of all small cities for its share of commuters who bike to work and there are four times as many biker commuters than in 2000, according to Hutchings.
The League of American Bicyclists is a national bicycling advocacy and education organization. Its Bicycle Friendly Community program awards Bronze, Silver and Gold designations for qualifying community as well honorable mentions. The honorable mention is in place for a year, but the other three designations last four years, Hutchings said. Fargo and Grand Forks have been among the 350 communities recognized in the program. Commissioner Doug Schnonert asked if the designation qualified the city for more grant money. Hutchings said not likely, but could give the area more nation limelight for destination bicyclists.
He said the MPO welcomes comments from the public about the draft application and said people can view the plan at the MPO website at http://www.bismarcknd.gov/MPO.
Reorganization
Burleigh County Commissioners reorganized for 2016 and named Commissioner Brian Bitner its chair and Commissioner Jerry Woodcox its vice-chairman.
