04-28-2011 Ceremony marks national ranking

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"We're proud of this national recognition of the progress we've made in South Bend with the development of trails along the St. Joseph River and bike lanes in our city streets. The Bicycle Friendly Community logo will become very familiar to bicycling enthusiasts among our residents and visitors,"Luecke said. "I'm happy we also can use this occasion to observe the passing of a milestone—50 miles of new bicycle routes in our community since 2007. "The Bicycle Friendly Community designation validates the tremendous efforts undertaken by the Bike Michiana Coalition, the City of South Bend and other cyclists to enhance our quality of life," said Judy Lee, president of the Bike Michiana Coalition, a local nonprofit bicycling advocacy organization. "South Bend is a model to other communities as the region's clear leader in making bicycling safe and accessible." South Bend was among 18 new Bicycle Friendly Communities, which were chosen in fall 2010 from 48 applicants. South Bend received a bronze designation in its second time applying. The three-year designation (up for renewal in July 2014) is based on a detailed application that provides a comprehensive picture of a community's commitment to bicycling through engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation/planning. Communities must demonstrate achievements in each of the five categories for designation. Communities with more significant achievements receive superior awards. "We will continue to work with our partners in the bicycling community, such as the Bike Michiana Coalition and Bike the Bend, to increase bicycling alternatives and make South Bend a more livable community,"Luecke said. Community representatives said the Bicycle Friendly Community designation impacts the whole community, not only cyclists. "Many homeowners, especially young professionals, are looking for locations that offer easy commuting and recreational opportunities," said Laurie LaDow, a Realtor with Cressy and Everett. "In my opinion, this designation will help to raise demand for real estate in South Bend and will help increase property values, especially for homes on designated bike routes." The designation also can draw visitors and tourist dollars to South Bend, according to Rob DeCleene, executive director of the South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau. "South Bend being designated a bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists is a huge coup for the community, and the City of South Bend should be commended for their efforts,"DeCleene said. "Bicycling has a very passionate following and represents so many positive aspects of a community fitness, environmental awareness, family-friendliness, etc. The entire sport just has an unspoken edge to it that is an essential attribute to positioning a destination to a savvy demographic, and will help in any progress we can make in establishing South Bend as a hip collegiate city."