Shawnee, KS, becomes first KC metro-area city to receive the LAB's "Bicycle-Friendly City" award

The League of American Bicyclists named Shawnee, Kansas, a Bicycle-Friendly Community for the City's efforts to provide safe facilities for bicyclists and encourage its residents to bike for transportation and recreation.

Through policy and design, Shawnee has focused on increasing opportunities for physical activity and is recognized as a national model for its efforts to reduce obesity. MARC bicycle planner Aaron Bartlett presented the award on the League's behalf at the City's August 11, 2003 City Council meeting.

Shawnee was the first city in the Greater Kansas City area to draft and adopt a bicycle transportation plan that incorporates both on-road and off-road bicycle facilities. The plan could serve as a bike-friendly model for many communities in the region.

The League of American Bicyclists considered several factors in making the award. Reviewers examined bicycle facilities; policies and bicycling promotion efforts; enforcement of traffic laws on motorists and cyclists; traffic safety education efforts; and processes to plan and evaluate policies and facilities for cycling.

The Bicycle Friendly Community campaign is a national grassroots efforts designed to achieve a bicycle-friendly America by encouraging safe bicycling in communities of all sizes.