Fort Collins Named #2 Place to Live in USA

Fort Collins recently was named the number 2 (#2) place to live in the US by Money Magazine. According to their online posting:

"One of the first things you notice about this Rocky Mountain city is that practically every new road has a bike lane. Even the wheelless can get in on the action now that Fort Collins has a bike library: Residents and visitors can check out a bicycle for up to seven days, free." http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/snapshots/PL0827425.html
This is down a notch for Fort Collins since the same poll put our fair city at #1 in 2006. Not to worry, though, since we lost the number 1 spot to Plymouth, Minnesota. Have you ever tried to ride a bicycle in Minnesota in winter? Neither have we, but still . . . . We'll take #2 any day!

Above, two bike library patrons check out bikes for the week: "We want to try them a bit before deciding if we should buy our own bikes." bike li

Madison Progresses toward Platinum

Madison, Wisconsin achieved Gold level status in 2006. That designation was renewed in May, 2008. According to the City of Madison’s Traffic Engineering Department: “In the fall of 2006 Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz formed the Platinum Biking City Planning Committee with the overall goals of

1) achieving the Platinum designation level through the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Communities program, and

2) putting forward a roadmap - or bike path - for Madison to become the best city in the country for bicycling.”

In April 2008 that plan was adopted by the Madison Common Council. Have a look: http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/trafficEngineering/documents/PlatinumAdopted040808sm.pdf

There is no reason why Fort Collins can’t have such a plan.

Portland’s 2008 Bicycle Friendly Community Application

Portland's Spring 2008 application for the Platinum Level award is required reading for anyone in Fort Collins interested in seeing us win the Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly Community award: http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=194342


According to the League of American Bicyclists "Portland entered the program in 2003 at Gold and has worked . . . to achieve Platinum. Bicycle use in Portland has increased
by 144% since 2000, and they are experiencing double digit percentage growth annually
in their levels of cycling."


Fort Collins recieved the Silver level award in 2003. It has been renewed twice now for a total of six years at Silver (taking us through 2009).