Bettendorf has invested heavily in bike trails over the
last five years in hope of becoming a designated Bicycle Friendly
Community member of the League of American Bicyclists, said Steve Van
Dyke, director of economic development.
The league ranks each
state every year on how “bikeable” they are. Iowa currently is ranked
the 21st “most-bikeable” state in 2013. Washington state is first, and
Illinois ranks ninth.
Bettendorf plans to apply to be a “Bicycle
Friendly Community” in February, It could receive an honorable mention,
bronze, silver, gold or platinum designation.
The league judges
communities on their current and future trails plans, education and
enforcement of bicycle safety and laws, and how well an advisory
committee evaluates and encourages biking in the community.
While
Bettendorf Parks and Recreation Director Steve Grimes said the city’s
goal is to eventually obtain the highest level of certification, he said
it’s rare that a community applies and gets the platinum level right
away.
“This will definitely identify where our areas of strength
are and more importantly where our areas of weakness are,” Grimes said.
Iowa
City remains the most “bikeable” community in Iowa and possesses the
sole silver award among the five designated bicycle friendly communities
throughout the state.
Bettendorf’s Bicycle Friendly Community
Committee, which includes Grimes and Van Dyke, has proposed an
additional 19 miles of separated trails and five miles of bike lanes.
By
2023, the completion of the new Interstate 74 Bridge over the
Mississippi River will provide a path for pedestrians and cyclists to
travel directly from Moline to Bettendorf.
“Hopefully, this shows
younger citizens that Bettendorf is a progressive community that takes
into consideration active recreation and would be an attractive
destination not just for young families, but for younger individuals to
live and work in,” Grimes said.