WAUSAU — Wausau is on the map as a great place to bicycle, the city announced today.
Wausau ranked first among small cities as a bicycle-friendly community and second overall in the nation by People for Bikes.
“I’m excited to see the people of Wausau getting recognition for all of their hard work to make the city more bicycle friendly. This couldn’t have been done without the work and support of the community here” said Wausau Mayor Robert Mielke in a news release. Community partners credited for the work include local bicyclists, riding organizations, elected officials, community organizations, municipal staff and state agencies.
The Places for Bikes City Rating system includes five categories: ridership, safety, acceleration, network, and reach. Wausau scored well in almost every category, and was a top scorer in acceleration, or the growth in bicycling in recent years.
Events such as Open Streets Wausau, Bike Fun Wausau, the many community rides, mountain biking events and the Ride to Work with the Mayor event have helped boost participation in bicycling in Wausau, according to the city. Projects such as the completion of key segments of the River Edge Parkway, the opening of the Sylvan Hill Bike Park, and the completion of Stewart Avenue and Phase I of Thomas Street have also helped propel Wausau’s bicycle friendliness.
“In the past 20 years of commuting to work on my bike, my commute has become easier and safer” said Susan Schmidt, a local bicycle commuter and former member of the Wausau Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, in the release.
Wausau’s top spot on the list among other communities may have been surprising, but many small and midsize communities are beginning to be recognized as great places for bicycling.
“Wausau has a well?connected network of low speed and low traffic local streets, many of which do not need special bike infrastructure to be comfortable and safe, and because of this Wausau scored well in both network and safety,” according to Brad Sippel, city of Wausau assistant planner.
Top three small cities:
- Wausau, Wisconsin
- Santa Monica, California
- Carmel, Indiana
Top three overall in nation:
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- Wausau, Wisconsin
- Boulder, Colorado
Source: Places for Bikes City Rating.
