PRINCETON NJ Press Release

Princeton Named a Bike Friendly Community

The Municipality of Princeton is Named a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists   

The League of American Bicyclists honored the Municipality of Princeton’s efforts to enhance its roads and infrastructure to better accommodate bicyclists with a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. Princeton joins 460 communities across the country in the movement for safer streets and better bicycling for everyone.  

“Princeton remains committed to reimagining its roadways beyond a car-centric model, fostering diverse transportation options that promote healthier, more sustainable lifestyles in the community,” said Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros, liaison to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. “We are proud to be a Bicycle Friendly Community for the twelfth year in a row.” 

Nearly 900 communities have applied for recognition by the Bicycle Friendly Community program, which provides a roadmap to make biking better for communities of all shapes and sizes. 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. The rigorous application process includes an opportunity for Princeton’s local bicyclists and transportation advocates to provide input on their experiences and perceptions of bicycling in their community through a survey that was distributed this past August.  

“In 2024, the Municipality made significant progress toward ensuring Princeton is a bike- and pedestrian-friendly community,” said Deputy Administrator Deanna Stockton. “We completed the third and final phase of the Witherspoon Street project, incorporating traffic-calming elements, raised crosswalks, and widened sidewalks to create a safer bike route for Community Park Elementary students. Additionally, we added bike lanes to Hodge Road, prohibited parking on Valley Road, and launched planning projects for Hamilton Avenue and the Harrison Street corridor to further improve bike safety.” 

This round of awards includes 91 new and renewing awardees, joining a total of 460 current Bicycle Friendly Communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Silver-Level BFC award recognizes Princeton’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. 

“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 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. Awarded communities must renew their status every four years to ensure that they not only maintain existing efforts, but also keep up with changing technology, national safety standards, and community-driven best practices.   

To learn more about the BFC program, visit: bikeleague.org/community. 

About the League of American Bicyclists: The League of American Bicyclists leads the national movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. With a history dating to 1880, the League is committed to engaging diverse communities and building a powerful, unified voice for change around protecting and promoting bicyclists’ rights. Learn more at www.bikeleague.org.