The League of American Bicyclists hosts a program called The Bicycle Friendly Community Program.The Bicycle Friendly Community Program inspires communities to improve conditions and opportunities for bicycling and provides
incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities
that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle Friendly Community
welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and
encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation.
Check out the Bicycle-Friendly Businesses and and Bicycle-Friendly Universities too.
State Bicycle-Friendly Ranking
Cities in Iowa who have received a Bicycle-Friendly Community designation.
Platinum
none
Gold
none
Silver
Iowa City (pop. 73,398) - upgraded May 2013
Bronze
Ames (pop. 61,792) - added May 2016
Bettendorf (pop. 39,102) - updated Spring 2023 - went Bronze May 2016 - added for Honorable Mention May 2014
Cedar Rapids (pop. 133,562) - updated Fall 2021 - added March 2012
Cedar Falls (pop. 40,388) - updated Fall 2021 - added May 2009
Coralville (pop. 22,318) - updated Fall 2021 - added Dec 2016
Iowa City (pop. 74,828) - added Fall 2021
University Heights (pop. 1,006) - updated Fall 2021 - added March 2012
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Not Renewed per 2024 list
Des Moines (pop. 207,510) - was Bronze - renewed June 2015, added May 2011
Honorable Mention
none
Not Renewed per 2024 list
Fairfield (pop. 9,476) - added May 2014
West Des Moines (pop. 56,609) - added March 2012
We know there should be many more communities on this list? Why are there so few?
For the most part, then program is not widely known and it is a long process to get accepted. Currently there is not an entity in Iowa that really pushes this program.