FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sun Prairie, WI – February 3, 2025
On January 28, 2025, the League of American Bicyclists honored the efforts of Sun Prairie to build better places for people to bike with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. Sun Prairie first received honorable mention in 2015, before becoming a Bronze level BFC in 2019.
“Bicycling is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s a powerful tool for building healthier communities, fostering sustainability, and connecting people,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The cities and towns recognized in this round of Bicycle Friendly Community awards are leading the way by investing in infrastructure and programs that make biking an easier, safer, and more accessible choice. Their leadership demonstrates that supporting bicycling is an investment in a healthier future for everyone.”
The Silver BFC award recognizes Sun Prairie’s commitment to improving conditions for all people who bike through investments in bike education programs, regular bike events that promote and encourage people to choose biking, pro-bike policies, and bike infrastructure.
Peter Dettmer, President of Sun Prairie Moves, a local bicycle advocacy group, says, “this award is a collective effort, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the individuals, elected officials, city staff, and organizations that have contributed to making Sun Prairie a more bike-friendly community.”
“In the past decade, the city has prioritized improving transportation for the residents of Sun Prairie. The improvements we’ve made in bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian safety improvements, and public transit is the result of a commitment by City Council, City Staff, and Community Stakeholders to improving the livers of residents. I’m proud that we’re being recognized as a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community. – Mayor Paul Esser.
Since receiving bronze level in 2019, the City of Sun Prairie adopted an Active Transportation Plan in 2023. The vision in that plan is that Sun Prairie has safe walking, biking, and rolling paths that connect all residents to the places they want to and need to go. The plan strives to increase walking and biking, improve safety, and promote equity. The City has programmed several of the Top 20 Standalone Projects for Targeted Intervention into the 10-year CIP, is in the process of adopting a Vision Zero Safety Action Plan, and has received federal grant funding to create a Bicycle Wayfinding System for the City’s recreational trails as well as to create an updated Safe Routes to School Plan alongside the Sun Prairie Area School District.
The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program sets the standard for how communities build and benchmark progress toward making biking better. The five levels of the BFC award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze, plus an honorable mention category – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve and awarded communities must renew their status every four years. While the award process considers very visible elements such as bike infrastructure, other essential elements include efforts around adult and youth bike education, encouragement through events like Bike to Work Day, evaluation mechanisms, and enforcement all through the lens of equity.
Dettmer says, "this silver award is a significant milestone, but it's not the finish line. We must continue to build upon these successes by investing in safe bike lanes, improving pedestrian infrastructure, and promoting cycling as a viable and enjoyable transportation option for people of all ages and abilities.”
