Kansas has made great strides in recent years in improving the bicycle friendliness of the state, including safer roads, more equitable laws, and changes in attitudes towards bicycle transportation. Kansans are beginning to realize, and embrace, the potential for bicycles to improve their health, wealth, and quality of life.
Here is the latest information about bicycle friendly communities, bicycle friendly businesses, and bicycle friendly universities in Kansas:
Kansas Bicycle Friendly State
The Bicycle Friendly State program "ranks states annually based on their level of bike-friendliness".
Kansas is currently ranked as #48 in the Bicycle Friendly State rankings. Here is the current report card.
Kansas' ranking has fluctuated quite a bit over the years:
Kansas Bicycle Friendly Communities
"A Bicycle Friendly Community welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation."
Kansas currently has three Bicycle Friendly Communities:
- Lawrence – Bronze, awarded in 2004.
- Manhattan – Bronze, awarded in 2012.
- Shawnee – Bronze, awarded in 2003.
In addition, Leawood made the "Honorable Mention" list in Fall 2011, Topeka made the "Honorable Mention" list in Spring 2013, and Wichita made the "Honorable Mention" list in Spring 2015.
Kansas Bicycle Friendly Businesses
The Bicycle Friendly Business program "recognizes employers' efforts to encourage a more bicycle friendly atmosphere for employees and customers".
Current recognized Bicycle Friendly Businesses in Kansas:
- Anderson Rentals, Inc., Lawrence, KS – Bronze 2011
- Bicycle X-Change Shops, Wichita, KS – Silver 2015
- Big Poppi Bicycle Company, Manhattan, KS – Bronze 2012
- Foth IE, Overland Park, KS – Bronze 2010
- City of Leawood City Hall, Leawood, KS – Honorable Mention Spring 2012
- City of Mission, Mission, KS – Honorable Mention 2010
- PKHLS Architecture, P.A., Newton, KS – Bronze 2013
- REI, Overland Park, KS – Silver 2014
- Rosedale Development Association, Kansas City, KS – Silver 2012
- City of Shawnee, Shawnee, KS – Silver 2013
- Sprint Nextel, Overland Park, KS – Honorable Mention 2010
Kansas Bicycle Friendly Universities
The Bicycle Friendly University program "recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bicycle-friendly campus for students, staff and visitors".
Kansas currently has one Bicycle Friendly University: Kansas State University, awarded the Bronze Level in 2015.
What is "Bicycle Friendly"?
The "Bicycle Friendly" program is an initiative of the League of American Bicyclists:
The Bicycle Friendly America program provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities, universities and businesses that actively support bicycling, and ranks states annually based on their level of bike-friendliness.
The Bicycle Friendly America program has been a boon in raising awareness and encouraging people to make their communities better places to ride a bike.
How To Apply
If your community, business, or university is proud of its bicycle friendliness, please encourage your leaders to apply to the League and share the good news!
Conversely, if your community, business, or university is not as friendly as cyclist may wish, please encourage your leaders to contact the League and learn how to make improvements. Becoming bicycle friendly is a great way to attract cyclists to a community, business, or university, and pays great dividends in health, cost savings, and quality of life.
Learn more from the Bicycle Friendly America Brochure and Bicycle Friendly America Guide.
