FORT WAYNE IS YOUR BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY – Message From The Mayor

I recently announced the City of Fort Wayne’s Blue Star Banner program will continue in 2016.

The Blue Star Banner initiative started in May 2014 and recognizes City of Fort Wayne residents and City government employees who are actively deployed. Through the first two years of the initiative, 52 banners have been displayed to honor service members.

Family and friends of deployed military personnel are encouraged to complete an application at www.cityoffortwayne.org/bluestarbanner. Once the applications are reviewed, banners will be made and displayed on light poles along West Jefferson Boulevard from the Time Corners area to Swinney Park. Banners will be displayed through November and then removed during the winter months.

Individuals or companies interested in making a donation to the Blue Star Banner program by being a sponsor may contact Karen Richards, Mayor’s Office, (260) 427-2146 and karen.richards@cityoffortwayne.org.

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I also wanted to share with you the City of Fort Wayne has once again earned the title of Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists.

The Bicycle Friendly Community award recognizes a community’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. Fort Wayne first earned the title in 2012.

Over the last seven years, the City of Fort Wayne has installed 275 bike racks at local businesses and added 12 miles of bike lanes. The Fort Wayne Regional Trails system boasts 90 miles of trails. The Community Development Division visits dozens of schools each year to educate students about bicycle safety. We also promote biking through events like Trek the Trails and the Bike to Work Day breakfast. Additionally, we’re an active partner in Kickstart, the month-long festival each May celebrating bikes, art, music and theater.

In 2010, City Council adopted the Bike Fort Wayne Plan, which lays out a comprehensive approach to making the community more bicycle friendly through three strategies: building infrastructure that promotes biking as a safe means of transportation, educating the public about the benefits of cycling and encouraging policy changes that support the promotion of cycling as a means of transportation.

Encouraging biking is an important part of building a vibrant, healthy and connected city. I’m proud of the work we’re doing to promote bicycling through our new Fort Wayne Bike Share program, installation of bike racks throughout the City, the addition of more bike lanes and a commitment to expanding our trails system.

Information about our efforts to promote safe and convenient biking can be found online at www.fwcommunitydevelopment.org/bike.