The City of South Bend has been recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.  South Bend, one of only 190 communities in the United States to be awarded Bicycle Friendly Community status, received this designation in September 2010 for its “remarkable commitments to bicycling.”  Achieving Bicycle Friendly Community designation fulfills an objective Mayor Stephen J. Luecke identified in his 2009 State of the City address.

Encouraging bicycling as an alternate form of transportation was also one of the key priorities identified by the public in City Plan, the city's 20-year comprehensive plan adopted in 2006.

Mayor Luecke in his 2007 State of the City address stated the City would:

• Develop major east-west and north-south bike routes each year during the first five years of City Plan implementation.  By creating 10 miles of new bike routes per year, 50 miles of bike routes would be added to South Bend's existing 8-mile network by 2011.
• Complete the riverwalk system from Logan Street to Darden Road.

To meet these goals, the City has developed a long-term plan for a 93-mile bicycle network.  As of fall 2011, about 59.9 miles of bicycle routes have been established within the City.  This network consists of multipurpose paths separated from streets (13.8 miles), striped bike lanes (16.4 miles), and other designated on-street routes (29.7 miles).

Plan

• Bike South Bend 2010-12 (City of South Bend Bicycle Plan) (2010)

Maps

• South Bend Bicycle Network Planning Map (November 2011)
• South Bend-Mishawaka-Elkhart Bike Map [BMC] (June 2009)

News Releases

• Ceremony marks national ranking (April 2011)
• Final phase of Northside Trail moving forward (February 2011)
• Cities and county honored for government cooperation (Oct. 2010)
• South Bend named as a Bicycle Friendly Community (Sept. 2010)
• South Bend tops Indiana cities in bicycle commuting (May 2010)
• Connecting communities: Darden and Riverside Trails (May 2010)
• Long-term bike network to pass halfway point in 2010 (April 2010)
• Luecke announces 2009 additions to bicycle network (May 2009)
• Work begins on Riverside Trail for 2009 completion (March 2009)
• South Bend unveils comprehensive bicycle network (Sept. 2008)
• Luecke announces 13 miles of bicycle routes for 2008 (June 2008)

Other Updates

• Northside Trail Design Public Hearing Info (November 2011)
• Mayor's Proclamation: May 2011 Bike Month (May 2011)
• Colfax Avenue (Cultivate Colfax) Final Configuration (May 2010)
• Colfax Avenue (Cultivate Colfax) Information (April 2010)
• Notre Dame Avenue Bicycle Route Type Designation (August 2009)
• Washington Street Bicycle Lane Designation (June 2009)
• Twyckenham Drive Bicycle Route Upgrade (October 2008)

Links

• Mountain Bike Trails at Rum Village Park
• Bike the Bend
  • May 15, 2011: A non-competitive community bicycling event where riders can enjoy 40 miles of streets and trails, restricted from vehicle traffic, in South Bend, Mishawaka, and St. Joseph County
  • View 2010 Photo Album
• Urban Adventure Games
  • July 30, 2011: Teams of two will travel around Downtown South Bend, Mishawaka and the Notre Dame area utilizing the streets, waterways, bike paths, and even some “top secret” modes of transportation – all while solving clues that help them move on throughout the race.
• Bike Michiana Coalition
  • Bike Michiana Coalition is a local bicycle-advocacy organization with the primary goals of facilitating communication between other bicycle groups and promoting advocacy action when special needs arise in the community
• Michiana Area Council of Governments' bicycle and pedestrian planning page
• Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association

Contact

For more information, contact the Department of Community & Economic Development.

• Chris Dressel, Planner / Bicycle Coordinator, 574.235.5847
• Michael Divita, Planner, 574.235.5843

Department of Community & Economic Development
Division of Community Development
227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • Suite 1200 S
South Bend, IN 46601
574.235.9660 • Fax: 574.235.9469