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Billings Awarded Bike-Friendly Status

The League of American Bicyclists has designated Billings as a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) at the bronze level. The League awards this four-year, multi-level designation to communities that have made impressive, measurable efforts to integrate bicyclists. Out of 51 applications, Billings was one of 10 selected. All Bicycle Friendly Communities enjoy quality of life benefits to which many other communities aspire. The BFC program is providing a helpful road map for communities to make that transition.

The Billings designation was based on exemplary efforts toward "raising support and awareness for bicycling through a broad array of bicycle-oriented events which use the outdoor and recreational amenities unique to the region."

“It is important to recognize communities as they begin to build bicycle friendliness into their network. But a designation only goes to communities with established records in two or more of the five categories,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists.

The five categories reviewers consider are:

• Education: Does the community have systems in place to train children and adult cyclists?
  
• Engineering: Are bicyclists included in the city’s transportation plan?
  
• Enforcement: Do police officers understand and enforce bicyclists’ rights and responsibilities?
  
• Encouragement: Does the community participate in Bike Month, offer bike rodeos, host community bike rides, or otherwise encourage cycling?
  
• Evaluation: Does the community have methods in place to ensure their bicyclist programs are making a difference?

The only other Montana Bicycle Friendly Community is Missoula, designated since 2003 and now at the silver level.

National 2008 Bicycle Friendly Community Press Release

More information about the Bicycle Friendly Community Program

What is that Apparatus Taped to Various Structures or Trees Along the Trail?

The City of Billings Planning Department is using a Jamar infrared counter to track the amount of use the trails are experiencing. While the counters can't distinguish types of trail use, they do record 24 hours a day and can show when trails are used most. This information can be combined with other data, weather data or area demographics for instance, to discover even more about trail use. Here is some of the interesting information that has been collected so far:

A physical count is also planned for spring 2009 to identify runners, walkers, bikers and roller bladers….. or any other type of usage. All the data collected will be compiled into a trail traffic count map so results can be compared as more trails are added.

Trails Projects and Updates 2008-2009

Main Street Pedestrian Underpass

This project involves tunneling under Main Street in the Heights. A bike/pedestrian path will align with the Alkali Creek drainage via the Main Street pedestrian underpass. Final construction is anticipated for summer 2009. The Underpass will be a huge addition to the trail network as it provides a critical, safe access across seven lanes of traffic on Main. Eventually it will link the trails on the east and west side of Main Street. Map of proposed Main Street Underpass.

Bannister Drain and Lampman Parkway Trail

These trail segments will be built south of Stewart Park and across Monad to the Famous Dave’s trail segment along King Avenue West. There will be a street crossing on King (similar to the refuge island on Central). From King, the trail segment will then drop down along the BBWA (ditch) by Pierce Flooring – it will then veer to the east and link to the existing Midland Trail (by the new Marriot and Hilton Hotels). Eventually this trail will also head west and connect with the segment at TransTech and then hopefully to Zoo Montana.

Trails with Roads Projects

Public Works has been busy with several road projects that also include trails on one side of the roadway. These trails provide connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians and ensure a safer route for children and people of all skill levels, so they won’t have to negotiate with vehicular traffic on bike lanes.

King Avenue from 32nd Street West to Shiloh - Be sure to check out the new trail along the roadway on the south side of King Avenue West. This segment added almost a mile of trail and provides a much needed opportunity for those trying to navigate their bikes, roller blades or scooters along King.

Aronson Street Extension - The new Aronson Street Extension from the Heights down to Airport Road was designed as a “complete street.” This means there is a bike path along one side and a sidewalk along the other. This new trail will provide the first step in that critical connection from downtown to the Heights.

2008 CTEP Requests

The following Trail projects have been submitted for funding through the local CTEP funding process. Although there is not enough money to fund all the projects – they frame the potential/future trails in Billings. The governing bodies and ultimately the Policy Coordinating Committee review and hold public hearings on these projects with a final local approval in November, at which point they proceed to the Montana Department of Transportation for a review and approval process.