Newton Recognized as a "Bicycle Friendly Community"

The League of American Bicyclists recognized Newton today as one of its "Bike Friendly Communities," awarding it with an honorable mention for its efforts to build and promote bike infrastructure and education.

According to a press release issued by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Newton was one of three communities recognized by the League today; Arlington also received a bronze-level award and Salem received an honorable mention. 

“We are very pleased to see more Massachusetts communities honored for their bicycle friendliness,” MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey said in the press release. “Our mission is to provide safe, healthy and efficient transportation, and bicycle friendly communities are help support our GreenDOT policy objectives.”

The League rated the communities based on a number of criteria, including bicycle education and public outreach, police participation, bicycling infrastructure and improvements aimed at increasing the number of community cyclists.

Newton, Salem and Arlington join three other Massachusetts communities previously recognized as "Bicycle Friendly Communities" including Boston, Somerville and Northampton.

Bike safety and infrastructure has been a focus in Newton over the last couple of years, as Mayor Setti Warren and the Transportation Advisory Committee .

In addition, Bike Newton , which includes information and resources for local cyclists as well as routes and trails labeled according to skill level.