More bicyclists are jumping onto Santa Monica roads, and now the city by the sea has gotten recognition for it.
The League of American Bicyclists has bestowed upon City Hall a Silver award to signify its place as a bicycle-friendly community, officials announced Tuesday.
Jennifer Klausner, executive director of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, is expected to present the award at 5 p.m. today to Mayor Pam O'Connor.
"The Bicycle Friendly Community Silver award is presented only to communities with remarkable commitments to bicycling. You should be very proud of this accomplishment," wrote Nicole Wynands, program manager for the League of American Bicyclists.
Before the award is presented, Santa Monica Spoke and city officials will lead a bicycle tour highlighting new bicycle routes, parking and other facilities in the city, many of which have been installed within the past two years since the adoption of the Bicycle Master Plan, which will dictate how Santa Monica's streets will change to become more bike-friendly in coming years.
Those interested in participating in the ride can gather at 3:30 p.m. in the courtyard behind City Hall.
Santa Monica was also named the fifth most bicycle-friendly city in the nation by Walk Score, a company that provides information about how easy it is to walk, and now bike, through neighborhoods.
In 2011, Walk Score ranked Santa Monica the 12th most walkable city in the country and fourth most walkable city in California.
