I love to see a story like this!  I wish all cities and towns were considered bicycle friendly.

ALEX C. HICKS JR. | Order a reprint
The League of American Bicyclists gave Spartanburg a bronze designation as a bicycle friendly community on Tuesday. Partners for Active Living had a goal three years ago to establish the city as a bicycle friendly community by 2007. Here, L-R, Ralph Paquin, of Spartanburg ; Mark Janes, of Greer; and Andrew Danfy, of Spartanburg prepare to start the ride.

The League of American Bicyclists presented the city of Spartanburg with a bronze designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community this morning. Spartanburg is the first city in the state to receive the designation and one of only seven across the United States to be named a Bicycling Friendly Community this year.

Partners for Active Living had the goal of receiving the designation this year when it began campaigning to make the city more conducive to bicycling in 2004. Since then, bike lanes have been marked along various roadways, bike racks are available downtown, a bike lending program has been initiated and educational programs aimed at educating the public about safe ways to bike are available.

The city received an honorable mention from the League last year.

Now, if we can just keep the dogs from chasing us while on our bikes!!!!

~lisa