The League of American Bicyclists has released its Fall 2009 Bicycle Friendly Communities list and Austin made the list on two separate occasions. Bicycle Sport Shop was awarded a Platinum designation, the highest awarded, and the City of Austin received a Silver Award, being only one of 2 governmental entities recognized in this year’s list.

The Bicycle Friendly Community Program provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle Friendly Community welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation.

Unfortunately, Texas ranked only 36th in bicycle friend states, a 6 place decline from 2008.

A Bicycle Friendly State promotes cycling through legislation, policies, programs, and by creating new places to ride, educating motorists and cyclists, and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation.

Perhaps a possible new resident at the Governor’s Mansion next year will help.