Mill Valley was awarded a “silver medal” this month by a nationwide program that recognizes communities promoting bicycling, and the designation comes with a list of suggestions that city leaders say they will use to help bump up that ranking.
Flanked by Mount Tamalpais, which is known as the birthplace of mountain biking, Mill Valley for decades has been a hotbed for two-wheeled travel, said Stephanie Moulton-Peters, the city’s mayor.
“It’s part of Mill Valley’s DNA,” she said.
Now dubbed a “bike-friendly” city by the League of American Bicyclists, Mill Valley has joined 464 communities nationwide that have successfully applied for that designation. The mayor called it a welcome affirmation in the wake of recent City Council initiatives to improve safety and access for cyclists in Mill Valley. The city last year completed an $18 million overhaul of Miller Avenue, which included retrofitting the thoroughfare with bike lanes — a project Moulton-Peters said was a huge boon for riders.
The “silver medal” award signifies the city has room for growth — with the opportunity to reach “gold,” “platinum” or “diamond” hinging on a list of improvements the league identified for Mill Valley when its representatives surveyed and studied the city.
“Receiving the designation is really a celebration of the community,” said Debbie Alley, who leads a committee that advises the City Council on bike and pedestrian-related aspects of city planning. “It’s nice to get that award, but it’s also nice to have some specific feedback.”
In its report, the bicyclists’ league gave Mill Valley a high score for its bicycle education programs in schools and its infrastructure. In order to achieve “gold” status, though, the report suggests allocating more bike parking, creating a bike-share program, increasing the connectivity of bike routes and promoting cycling as an alternative mode of travel.
“The recommendations will inform our future improvements,” Moulton-Peters said.
The mayor noted Mill Valley needs to work on creating synergy between cyclists and motorists on roads — an often-contentious relationship throughout the county. Promoting cycling is an important initiative for the city, she said, because having fewer cars on the road is a benefit to everybody.
Quoc Phan, who co-owns a bike shop on Miller Avenue, agrees — he’s a huge proponent of cycling as a mode of transportation. Those who opt to forgo their cars, he said, are getting exercise during their commutes, avoiding the stress of traffic congestion and reducing their carbon footprints.
“It’s a much healthier lifestyle overall, both physically and mentally,” he said.
The majority of customers at Tam Bikes are mountain riders, but Phan sees road biking as a growing movement in Mill Valley.
“It’s a great way to get things done around town,” he said.
