HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20110714_BicycleFriendly.docPRESS RELEASE: Contact: Tybee Island City Hall
For immediate release (912) 786-4573
Tybee to Receive “Bicycle Friendly Community” Award
Tybee Island, Ga. – (July 14, 2011) After an Honorable Mention in its 2010 bid to become recognized as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” be the League of American Bicyclists, the City of
Tybee Island received acknowledgement in 2011 at the group’s Bronze Level. The director of the Bicycle Friendly America Program, Bill Nesper, will be visiting Tybee on July 25th to
make the official presentation of this award at 4:30 PM at Tybee’s Park of Seven Flags. The Park of Seven Flags is at the intersection of Tybrisa and Butler Avenue on Tybee. Following
the dedication of the “Bicycle Friendly Community” sign at the park, attendees are invited to hop on their bicycles to ride the bike route north approximately one mile for refreshments
and a “Meet and Greet” at the pavilion in Memorial Park.
The city has been working to achieve this recognition since late in 2009 under guidelines and suggestions from the League of American Bicyclists. Some of the efforts have included: more
communications from the city about bicycling events and programs on cable access, the City’s web and Facebook pages, and on the City Hall announcement marquee; participation in the
annual “Bike to Work” events each May; sponsoring of bicycle safety workshops; certification of police and city staff as bicycle safety instructors; a renewed bicycle registration effort;
and, extension of the city’s bicycle route and new signage to mark it and to encourage its use. With large numbers of tourists and their vehicles during the summer months, parking spaces
are hard to come by, and the city feels that whatever can be done to encourage bicycle use can help ease the congestion and frustration, in addition to the health and environmental
benefits to be derived from reducing the automotive carbon footprint on the island.
Mr. Nesper oversees the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program, which includes the Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Business – for which the city
strongly encourages local businesses to investigate and apply - and Bicycle Friendly University recognition programs. Bill first joined the League as a Membership Assistant in 2002
and moved in 2005 to manage the League education programs and Bicycle Friendly Community Program. Prior to joining the League, he was a touring musician and Artist Manager. He holds
a BA in History from the University of Florida and is completing an MA at George Mason University. Nesper rides his bike nine miles to work and is a member of the Association of Pedestrian
and Bicycle Professionals, and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.
Come out and experience some “Tybee time” on your bicycle, relax with other Tybee and visiting cyclists, and enjoy the “bicycle friendly” atmosphere on Monday, July 25th, at 4:30 PM
at the Park of Seven Flags.
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee
Post Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs.
Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest,
the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off
the Walter W. Parker Pier and Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs,
and making sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.
org/.
About the Bicycle Friendly America Program: The Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs are generously
supported by program partners Bikes Belong and Trek Bicycle’s One World, Two Wheels Campaign. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicycl
efriendlyamerica/. The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle‐friendly America.
The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.
Photo courtesy Tybee Island Tourism Council
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