[IndianaTrails] Carmel: Bicycle-Friendly Community

[Kevin Heber]

FYI -- in case you hadn't heard, Carmel has achieved the Bronze-level
Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists,
joining Bloomington on the list for Indiana.  In case you are wondering how
far Carmel's many miles of asphalt trails went toward getting the award, the
answer is, not as far as you might think.  The award has more to do with
fully embracing bicycling as a mode of transportation, whatever the purpose.
Bicycle-conducive policies are at least as important as facilities to the
ALB.  Of facilities, bike lanes are perhaps rated highest because they fully
integrate bicycles with traffic flow.  In fact, most awarded cities have
very few sidepaths or trails.  In the end, the award means much more than
just a sign at the city limits. 

Having bike advocates as elected officials was key in Carmel's case.  Most
cities on the current list --
http://bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/AllBicycleFriendlyCommunities.htm --
house an ample supply of well-educated workers which stoke the local
economy, many being avid cyclists.  It's no accident that most of these
places also rate high in quality of life indices, especially for urban
areas.  

Kevin Heber
kevin at indianatrails.org
317-410-0755
www.indianatrails.org


League of American Bicyclists Awards Carmel a Bronze Level

Bicycle Friendly Community Award
Carmel, IN - The League of American Bicyclists has designated Carmel a
Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly Community. This prestigious award was
announced today at City Hall by City Councilman, Ron Carter.
	"I am extremely pleased that Carmel has been awarded this
designation.  Being a Bicycle Friendly City will be very beneficial to
Carmel in a number of ways: providing citizens a way to maintain their
health, appealing to those who may be looking to relocate to Carmel, and
adding another option for transportation around the city," said Ron Carter,
City Councilman.
The designation of Carmel as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community
recognizes the city's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling and
its practice of making focused investment in bicycling programs and
facilities. This is the fourth time that the Carmel has applied for the
designation, and its first award. 
"The City of Carmel feels it's important to expand its bicycling
opportunities because it's a form of recreation in which all age groups can
participate.  Receiving a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community
designation from the League of American Bicyclists is an honor for the City
of Carmel.  This is something we have been working towards for years and I'm
pleased to see that the planning and hard work has paid off," said Mayor Jim
Brainard.
-more-
In the past year, the City of Carmel has implemented several strategies to
improve its bicycle friendliness.  Carmel hosted a League Cycling Instructor
training class which resulted in the certification of 8 new instructors
including two local firefighters and continued to expand the local Bike to
Work Day and Walk/Bike to School Day programs. Through state and federal
grants, and local bond issues, the city also raised significant funding for
alternative transportation projects.  Finally, the City of Carmel passed a
new bicycle parking ordinance which requires that all new development and
building expansions include bicycle parking.