Springfield Named a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists

Press Release
Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau
For immediate release: May 5, 2010
Contact: Natasha L. Longpine, Planner, Ozarks Transportation Organization, 417-836-5545
Terry Whaley, Executive Direcotr, Ozark Greenways, Inc., 417-864-2014

Springfield, Mo. – Springfield was among 16 communities that recently earned the title Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists. Springfield earned the bronze level for its work in encouraging citizens to ride bicycles for fun and basic transportation.

The League of American Bicyclists, founded in 1880, is a national bicycle advocacy organization. The Bicycle Friendly Community program recognizes communities for successfully promoting bicycling through education, encouragement, law enforcement, engineering, and evaluation.

"This is truly a momentous occasion," said Bruce Adib-Yazdi, Chair of the Sustainable Transportation Advocacy Resource (STAR) Team, a committee of Ozark Greenways, Inc. "While our advocacy team has been working hard on this for the past 10 years, it is still the first of many steps towards a community that embraces cycling as a choice to get around town."

"Springfield being recognized as a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community is a great accomplishment," said Chris Flouer, President of Ozark Greenways, Inc. "Ozark Greenways and others have worked very hard over the past several years to position the community for such an achievement. This recognition not only celebrates what the community has accomplished, with trails and street improvements, but will challenge and encourage us to continue working toward a platinum level."

For more information about Springfield, visit www.SpringfieldAdventures.com or call the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-678-8767. For information about Ozark Greenways, visit www.OzarkGreenways.org.