The City of Columbia was designated as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists in September 2008, and has been successful in maintaining this four-year designation through two renewal periods, most recently for 2020-2024.

Receiving a designation as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” is a designation with real meaning; it is difficult to earn and important to renew.  As of December 2020, there were 485 recognized Bicycle Friendly Communities (345 Bronze, 101 Silver, 34 Gold, 5 Platinum).

For more information, see the Bicycle Friendly Communities Program.

The City of Columbia was first designated as a Bronze Level Walk Friendly Community (WFC) by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center in October 2015, and this designation was renewed after application was made in 2020.  Walk Friendly Communities is a national recognition program aimed to encourage communities to establish or recommit to higher level of walking.

The WFC program recognizes communities that are working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access and comfort. The WFC designation of honorable mention, bronze, silver, gold and platinum, is given to applicant communities that have demonstrated a commitment to improving and sustaining walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans and policies. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and FedEx.

The City of Columbia is the first Bronze level community within the state and remains the only community within the state to receive designation at any level.  A full list of comparison for each level can be found on the Walk Friendly Communities website.