FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARBONDALE - Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Carbondale Civic Center/City Hall with a Silver Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award, earning it a place alongside more than 1,100 businesses across the country contributing to the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. 

“During National Bike Month, we’re proud to recognize businesses that are helping bicycling thrive in their communities,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. "From everyday encouragement to broader advocacy, Bicycle Friendly Businesses like the Carbondale Civic Center help build a culture where more people feel welcome to get rolling." 

The Carbondale Civic Center/City Hall joins a total of 1,130 current BFBs nationwide, including everything from government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, museums, hospitality establishments, bike shops, and other employers, all united in a commitment to transform American workplaces to be more welcoming to both customers and employees who bike. The Bicycle Friendly Business award recognizes an organization’s contributions in shifting up and accelerating the movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. 

“Having the Carbondale Civic Center/City Hall awarded with a Silver BFB once more is thrilling for our team and community! Our former Senior Planner, Molly Maxwell, helped earn Carbondale this status in 2021, and overall laid an amazing foundation for a vibrant bike culture not just at the Carbondale Civic Center/City Hall, but for our entire community.” says Public Relations Officer, Eva Fisher. “With Carbondale continuously expanding upon our bike infrastructure with projects like the Mudline Multiuse Bike Path, the Saluki Greenway, and the bike lane expansion on Wall St. we're providing safer spots for our community to ride. New offerings like the Carbondale Bikes! Group ride series, provide learning opportunities and a larger network of bicyclists for our community to connect with.” 

The community is invited to join on the next Carbondale Bikes! Group ride on May 28th, meeting at the Town Square Pavilion (121 N. Illinois Ave. ) at 5:30 PM. Following the Carbondale Historic Bike Tour, riders will discover local history and landmarks while enjoying the city’s connected network of bike paths, lanes, and routes through town and campus. Find more info here. 

The Carbondale Civic Center/City Hall provides amenities for employees and visitors to utilize, such as designated bike parking racks and fix it stations.  

A huge asset in working towards making Carbondale an even safer, more inviting, bikeable city is Carbondale’s 'Complete Streets Committee'. It is made up of city planners, community development director, engineers, public works staff, and economic development department. This is a huge step forward to ensure that cyclists, pedestrians, and micromobility users are considered seriously as transportation users. 

As part of the BFB network, the Carbondale Civic Center will have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more welcoming to people who bike. When employees & our communitiesbike, great things happen! 

To learn more about Carbondale’s bike assets visit: https://www.explorecarbondale.com/712/Bike-Carbondale-IL.To learn more about the BFB program, or to apply, visit the League online at bikeleague.org/business.  

About the Bicycle Friendly America Program 

To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, including the Bicycle Friendly Community® (BFC), Bicycle Friendly State® (BFS), Bicycle Friendly Business® (BFB), and Bicycle Friendly University® (BFU) programs, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA. 

Since 1880, the League of American Bicyclists has been people-powered, with a goal to make bicycling safer and easier as a means of transportation and recreation. Today, the League continues to improve lives and strengthen communities through bicycling. We are more than 200,000 members and supporters strong, with more than 1,000 state and local advocacy groups and bike clubs, as well as thousands of businesses, universities, and communities together leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. Learn more at www.bikeleague.org. 

For media requests contact Public Relations Officer, Eva Fisher, at 618-713-0711 or email at efisher@carbondaleil.gov. 

“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open…for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”
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