Silverton has earned the prestigious Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community award from The League of American Bicyclists, a national organization based in Washington D.C.
Silverton joins 464 communities across the United States that are recognized for transforming the American landscape by embracing bicycling as a way to build more vibrant, healthy, sustainable and connected communities. It is one of only ten Bike Friendly Communities in Oregon.
The Bronze Bike Friendly City award recognizes Silverton’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in cycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-cycling policies.
Silverton is an active member of Healthy Eating Active Living (H.E.A.L), a national organization that provides grants to promote healthy diet and exercise.
Mayor Kyle Palmer notes that the award benefits Silverton in numerous ways. The League of American Bicyclists will include Silverton in their advertising directories for Bike Friendly cities, provide signage to Silverton, and make bike safety materials available to residents. Cycling tourists spend $90 million each year in the central Willamette Valley. “We are fortunate to have citizen volunteers to help with these efforts,” Palmer added.
Recent improvements for bicyclists in Silverton include new bike parking in the downtown core, bike lane improvements on streets, and collaboration with bike friendly merchants. Several road improvements are underway that will make it safer for students to ride bikes to school.
The Silverton City Council will update the Transportation Systems Plan next year and contemplates scheduling a number of bike improvements associated with its efforts to support active living as a community value during the next five-year planning cycle.
