Press release submitted by Bettendorf Parks and Recreation.

The League of American Bicyclists has designated the city of Bettendorf as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the bronze level, joining 371 communities from across the country.

Only five other Iowa communities have been designated Bicycle Friendly Cities. A community recognized by the League as a BFC is one that welcomes cyclists with trails, bike lanes, share the road campaigns, organized rides, Bike to Work Day events, and encourages people to bike for transportation and recreation.

Bettendorf also achieved the bronze designation because of the formation of the Bettendorf Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BBPAC) and the appointment of the first bike/pedestrian coordinator in the Quad Cities. Anyone interested in becoming involved in the BBPAC can contact the Bettendorf Parks and Recreation Department at 563-344-4113.

Bettendorf has over 25 miles of recreation and separated trails. Bettendorf’s trails are part of two national trail systems, American Discovery Trail and the Mississippi Riverfront Trail. The American Discovery Trail goes from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The Mississippi Riverfront Trail goes from the head water in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It is a unique situation to have two national trails intersect in the Quad Cities. Combined with the various existing and planned recreational trails along Duck Creek, Crow Creek, and the Mississippi Riverfront, these separated trails are part of an extensive network of trails that are rapidly helping to make the Quad Cities a tourism destination.