The League of American Bicyclists has honored the City of Durham with its Bicycle Friendly Community Award at the Bronze level.

“Durham has many great places for cycling, from the American Tobacco Trail and North-South Greenway Trail to many low-traffic neighborhood streets,” Durham Mayor Bill Bell said in a news release.

The League designates bicycle friendly communities twice each year. Applicants complete an online form with questions in five key areas: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation/planning. Local cyclists, national experts and League staff then review the applications.

The award has four levels – platinum, gold, silver, and bronze. Durham’s designation is valid for four years and will then need to be renewed.

The League is recognizing 18 new bicycle friendly communities and eight renewals in its fall 2010 award cycle. Chapel Hill is also being recognized at the Bronze level, and Carrboro’s designation was renewed and upgraded to the Silver level. Other Bicycle Friendly Communities in North Carolina are Cary, Charlotte, Davidson and Greensboro.