In Portsmouth, biking's on a roll

City of Portsmouth:

“Virginia's nationally recognized bike-friendly cities - think Charlottesville, Alexandria and Williamsburg, among a few others - have a new riding partner. Portsmouth received a bronze award from the League of American Bicyclists for its investment in safety, education, infrastructure and pro-cycling policies.

The winners were announced as part of National Bike to Work Week, which culminates today. About one in three communities that apply gets an award. Most other Hampton Roads cities have never tried; Virginia Beach received an honorable mention in 2006.

Four years ago, Portsmouth had just 1.2 miles of bike lanes, Susan Wilson, the city's transportation planning manager, said. That network - including road markings and shared-use trails - now covers about 10 miles. Bike racks have proliferated, and this year, the city changed an ordinance to allow biking along its seawall.”

~Writes Dave Forster of The Virginian-Pilot

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