By: Barbara Archer, City of Davis

The City of Davis is asking for community input as part of the application to the League of American Bicyclists (League) to renew its Platinum-Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) status. The survey is open now and will close on Oct. 5: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BFC_2025.

The Bicycle Friendly Community status recognizes cities that demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting safe, accessible and welcoming conditions for bicyclists of all ages and abilities. The City has held a Platinum-Level designation from the League, which is their highest status possible, since 2005 and was the first community in the nation to receive this designation.

The League is requesting additional input from the community to gain a better understanding of local bicyclists’ experiences. The survey explores each person’s connection to Davis (as a resident, employee, bike advocate, etc.), how often and why someone bikes, each person’s experience with bike education and infrastructure, potential improvements and what the City is already doing well. This feedback offers the League valuable local context and will be shared with the City to help guide future bicycle-related priorities and improvements.

Since the City’s last Bicycle Friendly Community designation in 2020, Davis has made significant strides in advancing bicycle infrastructure, safety and culture, including:

• Completed the Local Road Safety Pan (LRSP)
• Constructed the Pole Line Road/Olive Drive bike and pedestrian connection
• Held weekly bike rodeos at elementary schools every fall and spring
• Hosted the annual Loopalooza community biking event
• Offered multiple bike scavenger hunts in partnership with UC Davis
• Enforced Assembly Bill 413, “The Daylighting Law,” that removed select vehicle parking spaces at intersections to improve sightlines, enhance pedestrian visibility and increase overall safety
• Performed widespread restriping of bike lanes and narrowing of motor vehicle lanes throughout the City

Looking ahead, the City of Davis continues to champion a safe, connected and vibrant bicycle community through the following initiatives:

• A Caltrans Sustainable Communities grant to develop a comprehensive Active Transportation Plan (to replace the City’s 2014 Bicycle Action Plan)
• Construction of a protected cycle track on Cowell Blvd
• An updated city-wide and campus-wide bike map
• Biking and walking upgrades along 14^th Street
• Completion of the City-wide bike and pedestrian wayfinding signage project
• Revisions and updates to the bike parking policy to support emerging technologies
• Final design of the Arlington and Russell roundabout, which will feature substantial bicycle and pedestrian improvements

Final award and designation results are expected to be announced by the League in December 2025. For the history of the City’s bike lanes and the City’s Platinum Level award, visit: www.cityofdavis.org/about-davis/history-symbols/first-bicycle-lanes-in-davis. For additional information, contact Active Transportation Coordinator Cory Frost at: cfrost@cityofdavis.org or 530-747-5846.