Posted December 2003
The League of American Bicyclists has honored Chattanooga with its Bicycle Friendly Community designation because of the city's commitment to providing safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists and its efforts to encourage bicycle travel for transportation and recreation.
Through policy and design, Chattanooga has focused on increasing opportunities for physical activity and is a model in America's efforts to reduce obesity, according to the LAB. Chattanooga is one of 13 communities given the Bicycle Friendly Community designation this fall; a total of 27 cities have been honored with the award in 2003.
Chattanooga has been granted the League's Bicycle Friendly Community bronze-level award, the fourth highest prize in the national awards program. A total of 17 American communities have earned the bronze-level designation. Just three cities—Portland and Corvallis, Oregon and Palo Alto, California—have received the second highest gold-level award. The League has not yet bestowed the highest-level platinum award on any community.
"Chattanooga and our other Bicycle Friendly Communities display uncommon political commitment, technical expertise, and community involvement to become better places to bicycle," said Elissa Margolin, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists. "The rewards for residents are huge: reduced traffic, better air quality, increased travel choices, and greater opportunities to lead more active lifestyles."
League staff and reviewers consider several factors before granting Bicycle Friendly Community status, including:
• The physical environment for bicycling – on-street facilities, trails, parking etc.
• Education programs to promote a "share the road" ethic among bicyclists and drivers
• Promotional initiatives to persuade people to ride or ride more often
• Enforcement of traffic laws for both motorists and bicyclists
• Future plans and evaluation techniques to improve conditions further
The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America on behalf of its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org and www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org.
2003 Bicycle Friendly Community award winners
Platinum Level
none
Gold
Corvallis, Oregon
Palo Alto, California
Portland, Oregon
Silver
Denver, Colorado
Folsom, California
Fort Collins, Colorado
Missoula, Montana
Santa Barbara, California
Stanford University, California
Tempe, Arizona Bronze
Bronze
Arlington, Virginia
Beaverton, Oregon
Bloomington, Indiana
Boca Raton, Florida
Brentwood, California
Brunswick, Maine
Cary, North Carolina
Chattanooga, Tennessee
College Station, Texas
Gilbert, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
Miami Beach, Florida
The Presidio of San Francisco, CA
Redmond, Washington
Schaumburg, Illinois
Shawnee, Kansas
Washington, DC
The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading business and economic development organization for the Chattanooga region. For over 100 years, the Chattanooga Chamber has provided community engagement and opportunities for businesses, large and small, including networking, business promotion, business discounts, and public policy advocacy, as well as leadership development and training opportunities.
In addition, the Chattanooga Chamber is a one-stop-shop for site selectors and business decision-makers considering investments and job creation projects in the Chattanooga region. The Chattanooga Chamber is also responsible for marketing Enterprise South Industrial Park, a top-tier industrial park that offers significant strategic business advantages. In addition, the Chattanooga Chamber administers the Chattanooga Hamilton County Business Development Center, the largest business incubator in the U.S. in terms of the number of start up companies it houses, and the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth, an innovative effort to nurture technology-based start-up companies.
As the first stop for people interested in moving to the Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Chamber provides a range of relocation information including demographics, informational videos, connections to Chattanooga Area jobs, and frequently asked questions.
