This morning the League of American Bicyclists awarded EcoMetro city Portland with platinum level recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community, rising from the previous gold level status. The only other city in the US with platinum level recognition is Davis, California. No cities in Minnesota have applied for the Bicycle Friendly Community ranking, you can start the application process for your community here. Keep reading for our local biking resources and coupons.

The League cited double-wide bike lanes as Portland's most significant recent accomplishment, saying "Their bicycle use numbers reflect this, having experienced their third consecutive year of double-digit growth. The city auditor estimates that 16 percent of Portlanders use the bicycle as either their primary or secondary means of transportation to work."

Here's our biking information from the 2008 Blue Sky Guide. You can preview bike coupons in our merchant directory.

Bike commuting is a mental and physical challenge, and it’s also a great way to work exercise into your day and avoid the cost of commuting.  Many people’s top concern about bike commuting is safety on the road — fortunately our area has a good solution and alternatives for winter weather riding.

If you think there’s no way to bike to work, or don’t know the best route to get downtown, check bikely.com for routes posted by other commuters and displayed on detailed Google maps. We found routes from southeast Minneapolis to Target HQ and a fun historic Grand Rounds ride. Keep your cargo safe with bike lockers that are fully enclosed and weatherproof. Lockers are available near the light rail line, downtown, and at other locations for $40 annually. See Metro Transit for more information. Also, you’ll find all buses and trains have bike racks, except during the State Fair when some are limited.

Hop in the saddle and take a biking class from Sundays Energy (2637 27th Ave S). Other bike events including picnics, group rides and classes can be found through the Twin Cities Bicycling Club, which also has a list called “Biking 101” to get you rolling. The Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour in September is a good time to find a bike seminar, meet friends, and ride either a 15-mile or 30-mile route.

Have a lot of stuff? Get yourself a SUB — that’s a Sports Utility Bicycle — from xtracycle.com. Helmets, lights, a jersey and a waterproof bag will get you set up for a safe and comfortable ride. For peace of mind, there is even 24/7 roadside assistance and insurance for your bike through betterworldclub.com.

To see how much you can reduce your impact by going without a car, visit carboncounter.org, and get pedaling.


Some of the Portland community highlights, from the League of American Bicyclists (read the full list at their site):
• Portland’s bikeway network includes 270 miles of on-street bike lanes, bike boulevards, and paved trails; another 40 miles of unpaved trails offer mountain biking opportunities in city parks.
• Six bike corrals have been installed, each replacing one on-street car parking space with 12 bicycle spaces.
• 400 bikeway destination signs have been installed (with 400 to come) on the bikeway network.
• More than 400 bicycle light sets are distributed annually to low-income bicyclists by the city, Tri-Met (the transit agency) and the Community Cycling Center.
• 2,250 elementary students annually receive a 10-hour bicycle safety course as part of a larger Safer Routes to School initiative. The course is delivered by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and has helped increase bicycling to school by 5% in just one school year.
• More than 9,100 people participated in the 2007 Bicycle Commuter Challenge, including 1,700 first-time bike commuters
• 20,000 participants in the Providence Bridge Pedal make Portland home to the second largest community bike ride in the United States (after Bike New York).
• 2,000 hardy riders fill the annual Worst Day of the Year ride in early February.
• The Bicycle Transportation Alliance boasts 3,000 members in the city and is just one of many advocacy and riding groups that organize thousands of rides, events and bicycling activities year-round.
• The city boasts 40 bike shops and more than 150 bicycle-related businesses that provide thousands of green-collar jobs and with an economic impact of more than $65 million (2005).