'Bicycle Friendly' Salem Gains National Recognition

SALEM, MA — Salem has been named one of the best 500 cities and towns in American for those who like to ride their bikes.

The League of American Bicyclists credited the city for its efforts to promote and accommodate cycling by naming it one of 497 communities across the country, including 14 in Massachusetts, to as a "Bicycle Friendly" community.

The bronze award credits Salem's investment in bike education programs, bike events that encourage people to choose biking, pro-bike policies and bike instruction.

"This designation is a recognition of our city's work to become a 'car choice' community, where driving is just one option for residents, employees, students and visitors to get to their destination," Mayor Kim Driscoll said.

Salem has recently expanded the reach and connectivity of off-street paths throughout city neighborhoods. These paths are open to not only cyclists but also pedestrians, joggers, in-line skaters and people using mobility devices.

Salem takes part in the Bluebikes bike-sharing program.

The city's commitment to biking as a viable transportation source is part of its climate resiliency strategy.

Learn more about the Bike Friendly Community program here and learn more about Salem's Bicycling Advisory Committee here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)