Lawrence held on to its bronze-level status as a bicycle-friendly community, receiving nationwide recognition given by the League of American Bicyclists. It’s the third time that the city has been honored since first winning the bronze in 2004.

The awards go to communities that make “impressive, measurable efforts to integrate bicyclists into the community,” according to the organization’s Web site.

League of American Bicyclists has four levels of recognition – platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Awards are announced twice each year.

Since the program began in 2003, the organization has named 96 communities in 32 states as bicycle-friendly.

In granting such designation, the group looks for cities that educate the community, have a transportation plan that includes bicyclists, have police officers who enforce bicyclists’ rights and responsibilities, encourages cycling and evaluates its programs.