Presidio Named a Bicycle Friendly Community

Presidio of San Francisco (June 17, 2003) — It is no secret to cyclists who know the Presidio, but the League of American Bicyclists has named this recreational haven a Bicycle Friendly Community, following a detailed audit of the Presidio’s efforts to provide safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists and to encourage residents to bike for transportation and recreation.
 
The award will be presented by the executive director of the Washington D.C. based league at a June 17, 11 am ceremony at Inspiration Point in the Presidio. It is located on Arguello Boulevard.
Through policy and design, the Presidio has focused on increasing opportunities for physical activity. The Trust’s Board is meeting tonight to consider approving the Presidio Trails and Bikeways Master Plan which would add even more access for cyclist enthusiasts. There are about nine miles of roads and paths in the Presidio for cyclists to enjoy.
 
The Presidio was one of just six communities in the United States to receive the bronze award, the fourth highest level of the League’s Bicycle Friendly Community national awards program.
According to an August 2002 employee transportation survey, a remarkable eight percent of employees bike to work in the Presidio. The Presidio YMCA provides youth bike programs for area youth that include safe cycling skills, bicycle maintenance, and a bike trip over the Golden Gate Bridge.
 
All Presidio projects, including road construction and maintenance, are reviewed to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Any projects that may impact bicyclist and pedestrian safety are considered to have an “environmental effect” and must be mitigated accordingly by a panel of experts from various fields, including transportation.
 
The League of American Bicyclists considered several factors in evaluating the Presidio and other communities. Reviewers examined the traffic engineering facilities and policies and bicycling promotion efforts of the communities. The cities’ enforcement of traffic laws on motorists and cyclists, their efforts to educate both groups on traffic safety, and their processes to plan for and evaluate policies and facilities for cycling also were considered.
 
Elissa Margolin, Executive Director of the League, said, “Thanks to its long-term commitment to better bicycling, Presidio residents benefit every day from reduced traffic, better air quality, and improved public health.”
 
The League’s Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is a national grassroots effort to increase the number of trips made by bike, promote physical fitness, and help make communities more livable. The Campaign works in the most effective way possible€”town by town, city by city€”to encourage bicycling and achieve a bicycle-friendly America.”