Bicycle Friendly Community Program Undergoes Refresh
Share the Road Cycling Coalition (STR) announced today that the Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) award program is undergoing review and will relaunch with new application intake dates to be announced in early 2023.
Ed McMahon, Board Chair stated: “After more than a decade of success the Board of Directors at STR agreed it was time to undertake a review of the program. The program is based on the four E’s of Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Evaluation & Planning, and we want to ensure areas such as equity, diversity and inclusiveness are assessed as part of the program. Other areas such as the application process and timelines will also be reviewed.”
The Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) program, an initiative of the Washington-based League of American Bicyclists, was launched in Canada by STR in 2010. STR, Ontario’s leading cycling advocacy and policy organization, worked to develop BFC designations for the province of Québec with our colleagues at Velo Quebec, the Montreal-based cycling policy and advocacy organization.
At the heart of the BFC program is a rigorous application process through which a community’s cycling progress and investments are measured. The applications are reviewed by a panel of experts and with citizen input. The award categories are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Ontario currently has no Platinum or Diamond communities, and 3 Gold Bicycle Friendly communities (Ottawa, Toronto, and Waterloo). Communities must re-apply at least every 4 years to hold a designation and benefit from STR’s in-depth guidance to help new and returning communities work towards designations.
The Canadian Automobile Association of South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has been a partner in Share the Road’s BFC program since it launched in 2010. CAA SCO generously covers application fees for municipalities, and raises the profile and outreach of BFC through its communications channels, such as the CAA Member Magazine and social media.
“Cycling safety is a key priority for CAA SCO. The BFC awards program provides a structured approach for communities to make cycling a safer, more accessible mode of transportation and physical activity, and receive recognition for their efforts,” said Michael Stewart, community relations consultant, CAA South Central Ontario.