May 2015 – Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists

Arizona ranked 19th most bike friendly

The League of American Bicyclists has released its latest ranking of Bicycle Friendly States. In the eighth annual assessment, Arizona ranked 19th nationally, slipping from 15th last year. Visit bikeleague.org/states to see how all the states ranked and individual states’ report card with more details. Here is a direct link to Arizona’s report card BFS2015_Arizona.pdf
The Bicycle Friendly States ranking is based on a number of key indicators, including infrastructure and funding that provide on-the-ground bicycle facilities; education and encourage programs that promote cycling; and passage and enforcement of bicycle-friendly laws that make it safe and comfortable for people of all ages to ride.

Despite ranking 19th; Arizona has a high percentage of population living in in Bicycle Friendly Communities; see here for more about cities and towns in Arizona that are ranked bicycle friendly.
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So what makes a state bicycle friendly? The League of American Bicyclists summed it up here: Attributes Of A Bicycle Friendly State

Advisory Committee Urges Pima County to Fix Dangerous Road

The Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee recently sent a letter to the Pima County Department of Transportation Director, Priscilla S. Cornelio, outlining areas of concern regarding a “dangerous” road in Green Valley; Camino de la Canoa near White House Road. The letter recommended lower speed limits, additional signs, and a bicycle lane.

Local News Coverage: Area Cyclists Voice Concern Over “Deadman’s Curve”

Read More about the Advisory Committee: Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee

Coconino County Designates Stretch of Road for the U.S. Bicycle Route System

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors recently approved a resolution to designate five stretches of county-owned road as part of an official cross-country network of bicycling routes.

The United States Bicycle Route System is a developing network of interstate long-distance cycling routes in the United States. The system utilizes multiple types of bicycling infrastructure, including off-road paths, bicycle lanes, and low-traffic roads. The USBRS is the bicycle equivalent to the system of United States Numbered Highways. Envisioned to traverse the entire country, the USBRS is analogous to other national cycling route networks such as the Dutch LF-routes, the United Kingdom’s National Cycle Network, and is as comprehensive as the international EuroVelo network that spans Europe.

Call for Pictures

The Coalition is assisting the Arizona Office of Tourism to raise awareness of AZ bicycling opportunites and increase bicycle-related tourism in our state and we need your help.

The Arizona Office of Tourism is working on a description of the bike route from the Grand Canyon to Phoenix (via Flagstaff, Sedona, Cottonwood, Jerome, Prescott, Wickenburg, etc.). They are looking for photos of either cycling or notable sites/scenery.

Please submit any photos that you have taken to illustrate bicycling in Arizona along this route. Please either email us photos, or submit on our facebook page; this article will be posted on facebook. Photographers will receive photo credit if used by AOT.

New Yuma Sidewalk Ordinance

The city of Yuma recently adopted sweeping reforms to regulate the operation of bicycles on sidewalks within the city. The subject of legal operation of bicyclists on sidewalks is nearly undefined in state law, and as a result varies dramatically from city to city. Just a tiny sample: Tuscon is generally not allowed at all, in Phoenix it is generally allowed unless prohibited by sign, in Tempe it is generally allowed unless prohibited by sign but stipulates only in the same direction as adjacent traffic flow. Continue reading New Yuma Sidewalk Ordinance