PRESS RELEASE – City of Stillwater, MN
December 8, 2021
City of Stillwater, MN named a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists
Today, the League of American Bicyclists honored the efforts of Stillwater, MN to build better places for people to bike with a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. Stillwater joins 497 communities across the country in the movement for safer streets and better bicycling for everyone. The award recognizes Stillwater for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit its residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices.
“Biking has the power to transform our nation economically, environmentally and socially and
it’s so important that communities like Stillwater have laid the groundwork over several years to
make biking a safe, accessible option for all. With many more Americans turning to biking as a
fun way to get outdoors and as a necessary transportation option, we must keep the momentum
to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone going,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of
the League of American Bicyclists. “This Bicycle Friendly Community award is the culmination
of years of work put in by Stillwater and its citizen advocates for better biking. This award
round, Stillwater joins 57 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Communities in the movement
toward healthier, more sustainable and connected places. As we gear up for what we hope to be
a transformational new year for biking investments, we’re grateful that Stillwater and
communities like it are pedaling alongside us to power the better bicycling movement.”
The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program sets the standard for how
communities build and benchmark progress toward making biking better. This round of awards
includes 57 new and renewing awardees, joining a total of 497 current Bicycle Friendly
Communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Bronze-level BFC award
recognizes Stillwater’s commitment to improving conditions for all people who bike through
investments in bike education programs, regular bike events that promote and encourage people
to choose biking, pro-bike policies, and bike infrastructure.
Stillwater Mayor Ted Kozlowksi notes “One of our city’s goals is to make this community a
welcome destination for all, including bicyclists and pedestrians. We are grateful for the
collaborative efforts of community members and organizations to achieve this designation and
intend to keep improving our trail network and recreation systems into the future for healthier
living opportunities.”
More than 850 communities have applied for recognition by the Bicycle Friendly Community
program, which provides a roadmap to making biking better for communities of all shapes and
sizes. While the award process considers very visible elements such as bike infrastructure, other
essential elements include efforts around adult and youth bike education, encouragement
through events like Bike to Work Day, evaluation mechanisms, and enforcement all through the
lens of equity. The rigorous application process is an educational tool in itself, and includes an
opportunity for local bicyclists and active transportation advocates to provide input on their
experiences and perceptions of bicycling in their community.
The five levels of the BFC award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze, plus an
honorable mention category – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve. Awarded communities must renew their status every four years to ensure that they not
only maintain existing efforts, but also keep up with changing technology, national safety
standards, and community-driven best practices.
To learn more about the BFC program, visit bikeleague.org/community.
About the League of American Bicyclists
The League of American Bicyclists leads the national movement to create a Bicycle Friendly
America for everyone. With a history dating to 1880, the League is committed to engaging
diverse communities and building a powerful, unified voice for change around protecting and
promoting bicyclists’ rights. Learn more at www.bikeleague.org.
Thank you to Sustainable Stillwater MN, other local groups, and the city for making this award possible!
“The award means Stillwater has been recognized for improving conditions for bicyclists by investments in bike education, bike events, pro-bike policies, and bike infrastructure. Lots of work still needs to be done to improve bike routes and amenities, but this recognition is a great start. Bicycles are important as zero-carbon forms of transportation, not just recreation. But in terms of recreation, biking is a huge tourism draw and adds to the economic health of the city. Sustainable Stillwater MN will be working hard for you to keep up the momentum!”
~ Sustainable Stillwater MN