Frequently Asked Questions

Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions communities have about the Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) program. If you don’t see your question on the list, email [email protected] for assistance.

1. About BFC – General Questions

What is the Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) program?

The BFC program gives communities a structured way to evaluate how well their streets, policies, programs and culture support safe, comfortable, and equitable bicycling for people of all ages and abilities. It not only allows communities to benchmark their progress, but it also provides a practical road map for improvement that includes local feedback and is a platform for public recognition that honours progress. In Ontario, the Share the Road Cycling Coalition (The Coalition) administers the BFC program in partnership with local municipalities and advocates.

The application is adjudicated by a group of experts – professional planners, engineers and people with expertise in municipal affairs. We are fortunate to be well served by such a stellar group of professionals, all of whom volunteer their time.

Who can participate in the BFC program?

Any community — regardless of size — can participate. This includes cities, towns, counties/regions. Participating requires the support or approval of the governing body (e.g., the local municipality) but the application does not have to be completed by staff: local cycling advocates, community groups, or a mix of stakeholders can lead the work, provided there is final official oversight and approval.

What is the “5 E” (or more) framework underlying BFC?

The BFC assessment is built around key components that together contribute to a bike-friendly community. These include:

Engineering (infrastructure): bike lanes, paths, racks, secure parking, physical design that protects cyclists;
Education: programs to teach people of all ages how to ride safely, share the road, and follow traffic laws;
Encouragement: events, outreach, incentives, community-building to make biking appealing;
Enforcement / Equity & Safety: policies and enforcement that help keep all road users safe and ensure equitable access;
Evaluation & Planning (or “Evaluation/Policy & Planning”): data collection, planning, monitoring and long-term commitment to improvements.

By assessing a community across all these dimensions, BFC helps identify strengths and gaps — and tailor an improvement plans appropriate for that community.

2. Benefits & Why It Matters

Why should a community aim to become Bicycle Friendly?

There are multiple benefits:

Congestion Mitigation:
Affordability and Access: Cycling offers affordable, flexible transportation, and can increase access to jobs, services, and recreation — especially for people who cannot or prefer not to drive.
Connections to transit:
Public health: More people cycling means more active transportation and improved population health.
Safety: A focus on infrastructure, education, and enforcement can reduce collisions and improve safety and predictability for all road users.
Environmental & Climate: Reduced car dependence lowers emissions, improves air quality, and supports climate goals.
Economy & Quality of Life: Bike-friendly communities can attract residents and businesses, increase tourism (cycle-tourism), reduce parking demand, enhance neighbourhood livability, and make the community more attractive overall.
Community & Equity: Encouraging cycling provides more transportation choices for people of all incomes, ages, and abilities, supporting equity and inclusion.

What does ‘being bicycle-friendly’ look like in practice?

A bicycle-friendly community offers a mix of safer, connected cycling infrastructure (bike lanes, multi-use trails, secure bike parking), supports cycling through education and encouragement programs (bike-to-school, community rides, outreach), plans for cycling in official policies and budgets, collects data to monitor progress, and makes cycling safe and accessible for a broad spectrum of people (children, seniors, people with mobility limitations).

3. Awards & Recognition Levels

What are the BFC “award levels”?

The program recognizes communities at different levels — for example, Honourable Mention, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum. The award reflects how comprehensively a community demonstrates progress across the “E” framework, and how ambitious or advanced their cycling environment and policies are.

Does every community get an award after applying?

Not necessarily. The purpose of the BFC application is not just to award high-performing communities — it’s also to help communities understand their gaps, highlight where to focus next, and build momentum for cycling improvements. Even if a community doesn’t meet the threshold for an award in a particular cycle, the application process still provides valuable feedback and an action plan as valuable tools for staff, cities and elected officials.

4. How to Apply / Renew — For Municipalities

How do we start a BFC application?

Begin by assembling a BFC application team (municipal staff, local cycling advocates, Councillors, community groups, etc.). Review the offline application form (available on the “Getting Started” page), collect relevant data, engage local reviewers (e.g., three reviewers from within the community), and submit the application via the online platform before the deadline. And don’t forget, The Coalition is here to help along the way via [email protected] We also schedule information webinars – to stay current with updates, sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page!

Can more than one person collaborate on the application?

Yes. The online platform allows multiple collaborators, and communities may choose to divide sections among staff, advocates, or partner organizations. In fact, we strongly recommend that you do so – a collaborative approach fosters internal communication and will make for a better result.

What is the application cycle / deadline schedule?

The BFC program runs in regular cycles, and communities are encouraged to re-apply periodically to maintain or improve their designation. The next application deadline for the 2025 cycle is March 31, 2026. The Coalition will confirm future deadlines in advance of each cycle, so applicants should sign up for our newsletter for updates.

Is there a fee to apply through STR?

After significant consultation and based on a need for cost recovery to support the resources required to administer the BFC program, this year after 15 years of managing the program, The Coalition is implementing a fee structure for applicants.

At the same time, we are also announcing a suite of benefits – in addition to the exiting benefits which are:

A comprehensive feedback report summarizing feedback from our expert judging panel, that celebrates progress and highlights practical and valuable advice as well as options for next steps
A digital “badge” file that can be posted to your website and or used with printed materials
One outdoor sign, crafted with durability in mind to meet safety and visibility requirements. There is also an option to order additional signs for placement throughout your community.

We are pleased to now offer the following new benefits for applicants:

A discount for registration to the annual Ontario Bike Summit, aligned with the size of the municipality or region (see below)
Discounted options for a BFC “Go for Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum” workshop, co-designed with each applicant and the Coalition and tailored to each municipality or region.
Prices vary depending on the length and construct of the workshop (half-day or full-day) and discounted rates apply – up to 20% for applicants. The BFC workshop is designed to inspire and inform, convening decision makers and local cyclists and advocates to enhance awareness and secure input.

The fee structure for the BFC program is as follows, with discounts outlined for Ontario Bike Summit (OBS) registration. Applicants can be staff, advocates or elected officials:

Population under 2,000 $750 30% discount for one registrant

2000 – 5,000 $1,250 30% discount for two staff

5,000 – 10,000 $1,750 discount for up to three staff

10,000 – 20,000 $2,250 discount for up to three staff

20,000 – 50,000 $3,000 discount for up to four staff

50,000 and above $3,500 discount for up to five staff

5. What Happens After You Apply — Review, Feedback & Next Steps

What happens once we submit our application?

The Coalition staff and our judges will review the submission and meet to discuss the results. Applicants receive a comprehensive feedback report summarizing strengths, gaps, and opportunities. This report can serve as a roadmap for bicycle investments, policy changes, programming, and advocacy. Also included are some options for ongoing partnership with and assistance from The Coalition, inclusive of community “Go for Gold” workshops that foster collaboration and the sharing of best practices in an inspiring and informative way. We are invested in your success and want to support you through the journey.

If we don’t get an award this time — is it still useful?

Yes. The feedback report is valuable regardless of award status. It helps local decision-makers and advocates understand what works, where improvements are needed, and what specific actions can move the community toward a future award — or simply make cycling safer and more common.

How can we use the BFC feedback report?

As a platform that honours progress and outlines options for investments and change, share it with local stakeholders (municipal staff, elected officials, public-health, transit, schools, local businesses, advocacy groups). Use it to prioritise short-term (quick win) actions, embed cycling in official plans and budgets, and track progress over time.

Do we need to re-apply? How often?

Yes — to maintain or improve your rating, re-application every three years is required. Because communities evolve (in infrastructure, policy, population), periodic re-assessment ensures the BFC designation reflects current conditions and encourages continuous improvement.

6. For Advocates & Residents — How to Support BFC in Your Community

I’m a resident / cycling advocate. How can I help my community become bicycle friendly?

You can play a critical role by:

Sharing the BFC concept with municipal decision-makers (councillors, planners/engineers, city staff, community leaders) and share your support and encouragement with them
Mobilizing community support — gathering letters of support from local groups (environmental organizations, businesses, main-street associations, transit advocates, cycling clubs)
Volunteering to help gather data, complete parts of the application, or act as a local reviewer

Helping spread the word about the benefits (health, equity, environment, quality of life) — using the BFC framework to show why cycling matters

What is the value of BFC for residents (not just municipal staff)?

For residents, BFC means safer streets, more transportation options, better connectivity to transit and services, more equitable access to mobility, and ultimately — a healthier, greener, more vibrant community. BFC helps ensure that cycling is not a convenience only for some, but a realistic, safe, affordable and attractive option for many.

7. Resources & Further Reading

Where can we find more information, case studies, and tools to support our BFC application?

The Coalition offers a range of resources on our site — including past BFC community case studies, design guides, grant information, educational and advocacy toolkits. We also encourage communities to reference best-practice guides, municipal cycling/pedestrian master plans, local cycling data, and international resources (e.g., from the League). You can also contact us, to see about connecting to other municipalities and resources that might prove helpful: [email protected]