Image via Creative Commons/ Somerville Cyclist (CC BY 2.0)
One could easily argue that Cambridge is the crown jewel of Greater Boston biking. Not only is the city attempting to create the Grand Junction Bike Path, a mixed-use trail that slices Cambridge between Allston and Kendall Square, but they’re enacting a number of safety initiatives to increase the city’s status as a cycling haven. Just last week, City Councilor Dennis Carlone’s protective vehicle side guard initiative made it one step closure to being enacted. To that end, the League of American Bicyclists awarded Cambridge gold status as a bike friendly community.
Cambridge was one of 55 new or renewing cities to be included in the organization’s Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program, which doled out platinum, gold, silver or bronze designations for each. Also with a strong showing was Boston and Somerville, each taking home a silver. Milton took home a bronze.
“Visionary community leaders are recognizing the real-time and long term impact that a culture of bicycling can create,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “We applaud this new round of communities for investing in a more sustainable future for the country and a healthier future for their residents.”
The BFC program provides the framework for communities to become more accommodating for bikers. By highlighting aspects such as law enforcement, bike access to public transportation, community outreach and infrastructure improvements, urban centers can grow and fortify their reputations as cycle-centric areas.
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