The League of American Bicyclists announced 55 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) in all 50 states. The program is intended to encourage communities to improve conditions for bicycling and to provide a roadmap and guidance for doing so.  The program recognizes communities at the platinum, gold, silver, and bronze levels that provide safe accommodations for bicycling and encourage people to bicycle for transportation and recreation, with goals of improving public health, reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and improving quality of life.

Urbana was promoted from the silver level, making it Illinois's first gold level member.  Silver level members in our region include Chicago and Evanston.  Bronze level members include Batavia, Champaign, Elmhurst, Naperville, Normal, and Schaumburg.