Bicycle riders will gather at Montpelier City Hall plaza on Tuesday to hear a formal mayoral announcement at 5:15 p.m., followed by a community bike ride. According to the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition, the mayor will announce the city's new status as a League of American Bicyclists-designated Bicycle Friendly Community:
Mayor John Hollar will formally announce the news that Montpelier has been awarded the "Bicycle-Friendly Community" bronze level by the national advocacy group, the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). The city's recently established Bicycle Advisory Committee pursued this distinction as one of its initial projects.
Immediately following the announcement, a community bike ride will convoy through town to Montpelier High School, where The Central Vermont Food Systems Council Harvest Festival is being held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Montpelier is only the second Vermont community to be recognized by the League of American Bicyclists. Burlington is listed as a silver level Bicycle Friendly Community. The organization ranks communities, businesses and universities with bronze, sliver, gold and platinum bicycle friendly status. Vermont ranks 23rd in the organization's overall listing of bicycle friendly states.
One of the Montpelier City Council's current goals is to become “a nationally known bike and pedestrian friendly city.” Since setting that goal, the city has hosted a bike summit, formed a bicycle advisory committee, and secured funding to develop a bicycle master plan.
