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2010 Retreat: A Weekend to Remember!
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by Jeff Miller, Alliance President/CEO
I barely know where to begin in reflecting on the
2010 Leadership Retreat and thanking everyone who helped to make the weekend
such an unforgettable experience.
From September 10-13th, we hosted our biennial
gathering of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy leaders in Chattanooga, Tennessee,
on board the Delta Queen and in the wonderful space provided by Outdoor Chattanooga. The incredible turnout exceeded even my
highest expectations. In total, we had 106 leaders from 37 states and
four Canadian provinces. Even more exciting, though: more than half of
the leaders were experiencing their first Leadership Retreat.
 Over the course of three days, advocates from
across the continent got to know each other in a way you can't replicate on
conference calls or webinars. Whether lounging in the sunny park during the day
or chatting long into the night, we shared ideas, challenges and solutions that
will undoubtedly make our movement stronger. To prime the pump on crucial
issues, like diversity and federal policy, we convened large group discussions.
To exchange insight and explore topics in smaller groups, advocate leaders and
national experts led more than 20 workshops. Be sure to check out the Alliance Resource Library to download all the materials from those workshops.
But we didn't just learn and strategize. We had a
blast, too. Bolstering the longstanding Thunderhead love affair with Ultimate
Frisbee, we gave each participant a snazzy, glow-in-the-dark, Alliance-branded Disc.
It certainly came in handy on Sunday night, as we squared off on the lawn for a lively
Ultimate game before a hilarious talent show and rocking dance party.
 Ali Mangkang of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition nailed
the power of the Leadership Retreat by saying it allowed her to "see the big picture for biking and walking, to feel
connected to a movement that is growing, and creating real change." Carol
Sildorf, Executive Director of One Less Car (MD), told me how wonderful the
retreat was, how much she learned and how she was re-energized. "I told all the
new Executive Directors there how lucky they were to start their jobs with this
retreat," Carol said. "I wish I had been able to come to this event two years
ago... I can't tell you how much I learned this weekend - it really was
incredible."
It was truly gratifying to hear her further
describe how the new leaders had a two-year lead by simply coming to this three
day retreat because it was packed with so much information and networking
focused on bicycle and pedestrian advocacy leaders.
 The Alliance staff, board, and more than 25
leaders who shared their expertise in engaging and interactive workshops all
did an amazing job. A very special shout out goes to Jeremy Grandstaff, the
Alliance's Member Services Director, who coordinated everything from the
curriculum to committee input to the significant logistics of housing and
feeding more than 100 people for three full days. Our new communications staff,
Carolyn Szczepanski, also made significant contributions with a fabulous
presentation on working with the media and key new resources and materials. Jake
Knight, an Alliance intern during the summer, came down from Indiana to lend indispensible,
behind-the-scenes assistance that kept the Retreat running smoothly.
The evaluations shine with enthusiastic comments and high scores showing that
the Alliance delivered another Leadership Retreat that has surely energized and
inspired all who attended. I'm both proud and humbled by the incredible crew of
leaders we get to work with. Thank you for being part of this People Powered
Movement.
Don't forget to browse all the Retreat materials in our Resource Library.
And, even if you weren't at the Retreat, check out the incredible pictures captured by superstar photographer Yvonne Bambrick, Director of Communications and Events for the Toronto Cyclists Union.
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Three More Chances to Start Your Winning Campaign in 2010 |
 Summer has slipped away, the afternoon darkness is creeping in and Christmas catalogs are already starting to infiltrate your mailbox.
But there's still time to rev your campaigns into high gear and make 2010 a year to remember.
The Alliance's Winning Campaigns Training is the first stop on that road to success. During the
three-day workshop, you'll learn all the tactics to become an effective
strategist, organizer, fundraiser and media source. Are you looking for a way to capitalize on the research of the Advocacy Advance Team? Here's a perfect opportunity to plan a campaign
around rumble strips, climate action plans, or obtaining federal funding. Whatever campaign you choose, though, Alliance staff and longtime leaders in the bicycle and
pedestrian movement will help you create a detailed blueprint with specific next steps to ensure your effort is successful.
There are three more chances to attend in 2010.
- We'll be in Asheville, North Carolina, from November 5-7, for a Winning Campaigns Training hosted by a local coalition of advocates and retailers. Early registration rates have been extended to Oct 20.
There's no better way to end the year than laying the groundwork for your next big victory. Not to mention, Winning Campaigns Trainings are at least as fun as they are informative! Sign up today!
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CDC Contract Boosts Benchmarking Project
|  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advancing the Alliance for Biking & Walking's Benchmarking Project with $129,000 in funding for the 2012 report. With support for the 2008 and 2010 Benchmarking Reports, the CDC has become a key partner in the production of this vital resource, which collects and analyzes bicycling and walking data from all 50 states and the 50 most-populous U.S. cities. The Alliance's Benchmarking Project collects and analyzes a wide array of data related to bicycling and walking, including: demographics, funding, staffing, facilities, safety, mode share, policies, bike-transit integration and public health indicators. The 2010 Benchmarking Report has been referenced by hundreds of newspapers, journal articles, blogs, and newsletters, and government agencies and advocates working to increase bicycling and walking in their communities. More than 4,000 copies of the 2010 Report have been distributed or downloaded. The Alliance continues to seek additional funding and partners to strengthen the Benchmarking Project with an online searchable database of project findings. The Alliance is scheduled to release surveys for the 2012 Benchmarking Report later this month. For more information, visit our Benchmarking Project webpage. |
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New Advocacy Advance Report on Bicycling and Climate Change |
 We know that 70 percent of
oil is burned for transportation and that our car
culture contributes nearly 30 percent of U.S. greenhouse gases. By bicycling, we take ourselves out of that world-burning equation. But
how do you get more people in your community to start subtracting
Vehicle Miles Traveled, too? A new report from the Advocacy Advance Partnership lays it out step
by step. In Climate Change and Bicycling: How bicycling advocates can help craft comprehensive Climate Action Plans research from the League of American Bicyclists explains the process and provides examples
from across the country. "Climate Action Plans are strategic and comprehensive tools to combat
climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions," writes Darren Flusche, League
policy analyst and the lead author of the report. "They are being written
and implemented by cities, states, and universities in lieu of
aggressive federal action," Flusche continues. "Bicycling is a convenient, enjoyable, and
efficient way to make short trips - 40 percent of all trips in the
United States are two miles or less - and it does not emit CO2. As a
result, policymakers are increasingly turning to promoting bicycling as a
way to meet GHG reduction targets. Bicycling advocates can help shape
Climate Action Plans to include pro-bicycling policies." True to its title, the report gives a comprehensive overview, including:
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How pro-bicycling policies have been written into the Climate Action
Plans of states, cities, and universities
Examples of plans that include bicycling
How bicycling advocates can best support these efforts
How to ensure that governments follow through on the promises made in
their plans.
Read the full report here and don't hesitate to get in touch with Darren if you have questions or need a hand putting the report into action in your community. |
| Crunch Time for the 2 Mile Challenge |  You already bike to work or pedal to the coffee shop. Why not use those trips to help the Alliance win a $25,000 grant
that we'll put to work for YOU! We first told you about the 2 Mile Challenge back in May. Now it's crunch time. The competition ends on October 31 and we need your help to win. The 2 Mile Challenge is a national competition created by CLIF BAR to encourage people to replace short car trips with bicycle travel. The competition is between three teams, each headed by a national nonprofit. The Alliance was selected to lead the Gold Team. Are you a Gold Team member yet? To become a member, you simply sign up for a team and log each time you take a trip by bicycle. The team that has the most trips by the end of October wins a $25,000 grant for its organization. Right now, the Alliance is in second place and we need your trips to get us over the top! To help you go for the Gold, here are some helpful tips: -
You're on the board even before you start pedaling. You'll
get 10 points just for signing up!
- Log every trip you take. Bike to work? That's one trip. Bike
home again? That's another. Remember to log each one.
- If you forget to log your trips today, log
them tomorrow. You can catch up and input as
many as four trips in one day.
- Link your 2MC account to your Facebook page and Twitter
account. You'll get bonus points for your effort and show your friends and
contacts that you care about bike-ped advocacy.
- Invite others! Don't just tell your friends and family, "challenge"
them. On your 2MC dashboard, you'll see a "Start a Challenge" arrow under your
stats. Plug in the e-mails for those you want to invite/challenge.
You'll earn extra points for yourself and entice others to join up, too!
- If you work with an Alliance member organization, remember
that each time your organization promotes the Challenge and encourage your
member to participate, you increase your group's chances of winning scholarships and publications.
Get your members and friends to sign up for the Challenge and join the Gold Team. We have four weeks left; let's get pedaling! |
Sign the PeopleForBikes.org Pledge
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 Our
partner, Bikes Belong, recently launched a new effort to get 1 million people
to unite their voices and sign a pledge in support of bicycling. Their campaign is called PeopleForBikes.org, and the goal is to make our nation a better place to ride by sending a powerful message to our
elected leaders, the media, and the public that bicycling is important and
should be promoted. Already, more
than 100,000 Americans have signed the pledge, including Lance
Armstrong, Gary Fisher, and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. Please,
take a moment to visit the website and sign the pledge.
It's quick and easy. All the campaign needs is your name and e-mail
address. But just
a few seconds of your time could lead to big changes across the nation. Imagine
the power of combining the voices of all Alliance members with those of other
bicycling organizations and all individuals from coast to coast who ride for
transportation and pleasure. If PeopleForBikes.org can engage 1 million people who
want streets and policies that promote safer, more convenient, and more appealing
conditions for bicycling, Washington will listen. It will boost our platform
when the next federal transportation bill finally takes center stage and
introduce thousands of pro-bike Americans to our organizations and our
important work. Wherever
you live and wherever you ride, all of us have a stake in building more bike
lanes, paths and trails; securing more bike project funding; and influencing
local and national policies to better support bicycling. Let's help PeopleForBikes.org bring needed
reinforcements to our movement. Sign
the pledge today and then forward it along to all your friends and family! |
Update on Transportation Rescissions
| In August, we alerted you about a threat to federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects in your state. Now, the results of the latest round of rescissions are in - and programs that benefit biking and walking were hit hard. As we noted, Congress passed a jobs bill that contained a $2.2 billion rescission of transportation funds from state Departments of Transportation. Just-released data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that many states cut disproportionately from programs that fund biking and walking when they determined what funds to send back to Washington. (For data on each state from the FHWA, click here.) The Transportation Enhancements program, for instance, was heavily tapped. According to the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC): "In most states, TE is between 2 percent and 3 percent of all federal aid for highways. However, in this most recent rescission, funds from TE funding codes composed 26 percent of the total rescinded funds nationally." Thirty-three states returned a disproportionately large amount of funds from TE and four states used TE funds to make up more than half of the total rescission. In total, $580 million came from TE - more than from any other single program. There was some good news, though: The District of Columbia and nine other states didn't send back any money from TE. (Read the full brief from the NTEC here.) But, as Darren Flusche, policy analyst for the League of American Bicyclists points out, TE wasn't the only program affected. "CMAQ [Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program], an important source of bicycle and pedestrian funding, was hit hard," Flusche writes on the League's blog. "States rescinded $388 million from CMAQ. In addition, $116 million is now gone from statewide planning and research." So what now? "The only way to avoid these losses in the future is to make our voices heard and urge the DOTs to spend money on biking and walking as aggressively as they spend on highways," Flusche suggests. "See our reports on rescissions, CMAQ and HSIP for advice on how to do that." If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Alliance Member Services Director, Jeremy Grandstaff. |
Next Federal Policy Call October 14
| You know  that decisions made in Washington DC have a huge impact on your community. We know you have information from the field that can inform your colleagues around the country and those of us working in the nation's capitol. Our Federal Policy conference call helps us all share insights that will advance biking and walking issues in the halls of Congress. Join the Alliance as we host America Bikes, National Complete Streets Coalition, Safe Routes to School National Partnership and other national partners on October 14 at 1 p.m. (EST), to get insight about recissions, President Obama's transportation funding plan, the newly formed Equity Caucus, new energy for Republican co-sponsors of the Complete Streets Act and more. Bring your news and ideas to the call, too. This is a two-way discussion about how advocates across the nation can coordinate to make an impact in Washington, DC. Signing up in advanced will ensure you get the up-to-date briefing memo before the call. To register, click here. |
Alliance Partners with Filmmakers for Bicycle Contest
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 Almost fifty years ago, Paul Goodman
outlined a plan to ban private cars in Manhattan. Help continue his legacy and you could win a new bicycle. JSL Films, in partnership with the World Carfree Network, the
Alliance for Biking & Walking, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, and
Dissent Magazine, are presenting the Paul
Goodman Changed My Life bicycle contest. In 1961, Paul Goodman - a social thinker, activist, poet and novelist - published the essay "Banning Cars from Manhattan." Forty years later,
though his influence is felt throughout our culture, his books have
fallen out of print and his name is all but forgotten. But widespread
adoption of alternative transportation is a more pressing topic than
ever. Now, JSL Films, producer of the upcoming documentary Paul Goodman Changed My Life, is
working to continue Goodman's legacy with a unique, pro-active contest. To participate, write your
local government - your mayor, or city council - with five ideas that
could be implemented in your area to promote forms of transportation
that reduce global warming. Send a copy of that letter to the folks at JSL Films and they'll randomly draw one person from North
America to win a new bike donated by Breezer. Enter today - the contest expires on October
31. |
Welcome Fall Interns
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We've got a new crew of talented interns helping us this Fall. Please join us in welcoming:  Alexandra Boardman, our fall Program Intern, hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is currently a junior at Tulane University, in New Orleans, but is studying this semester at American University. She is majoring in political science and environmental studies. Over the next several months, Alexandra will be helping Jeremy with the Advocacy Advance Grants program and Winning Campaigns Trainings. In her free time, she enjoys running, spinning, and exploring Washington, DC.  Jaouad Braksa, our fall Technology Development Intern, was born and grew up in Morocco. In 2005, he moved to the United States and is now a senior at George Mason University, studying Information Systems and Operations Management. He plans to use his technical background to assist the Alliance in managing, streamlining, and updating our technology infrastructure. He's excited to be applying his skills to aid in building a more sustainable future. |
| Alliance Member News |
Be sure to check out what Alliance members have been up to in the right column of this e-newsletter and on our People Powered Blog. | |
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 | Georgia Hosts First Statewide Bike Summit
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Attending the National Bike Summit gave the folks from the Peach
State a juicy idea.
In March, a group of bicycle advocates from Georgia traveled to
Washington, DC for the 10th annual networking and lobbying event hosted
by the League of American Bicyclists. They didn't just meet
their bike-ped peers from across the country; they also recognized a
need within their own state borders. "When the dust settled after a hectic schedule of running the halls of
both the Senate and the House, there was a general consensus among the
Georgia delegates that once a year just 'ain't enough,'" wrote Ali Mangkang of
the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. "From there,
an idea took shape that Georgia
should aim for its own statewide summit - a meeting of
retailers, advocates, enthusiasts and policymakers, representing Georgia's many
bicycling communities." Well, they made it happen and the event takes place this weekend. Read more.
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Madison Open Streets Event Draws 50,000 | 
The first time was impressive. The second time was gigantic.
The third time? Off the charts. In June 2009, the City of Madison hosted the inaugural Ride the Drive, with lead sponsorship from Trek and plenty of
help from the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. Closing off major roads
for car-free fun, the open streets extravaganza drew 10,000
participants. A year later, in June 2010, the second event turned out
nearly 25,000 cyclists and pedestrians. So what happens when you add Lance Armstrong to the mix? An eye-popping
crowd of more than 50,000 riders. "Every time we hold it, it doubles or triples," says Amanda White, the
Ride the Drive coordinator for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. But the Tour de France champion isn't the only reason the Bike Fed's
open streets events have taken off. According to White: "The messaging
for the event is very inclusive: 'Come out with your kids, with your
friends. Whether you want to wear spandex or blue jeans, come out and
enjoy the day.'" Read more.
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Rails-to-Trails Calls Out the AAA
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A few weeks ago, Laughlin, the president of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, was flipping through his
latest issue of the magazine published by the American Automobile Association and one article stopped him in his tracks. The
July/August edition carried an ugly editorial from the director of AAA
Mid-Atlantic, who argued that biking and walking projects, like
multi-use trails, shouldn't get a red cent from the Federal Highway
Trust Fund. Laughlin, a AAA member himself, immediately shot off a letter to the company. He pointed out that
millions of Americans are cyclists, pedestrians and trail-lovers, in
addition to being motorists. He noted that more than 19,000 miles of
trails have been funded through the Trust Fund for the costs of just one billion
dollars per year. Robert Darbelnet, president of AAA, was quick to respond to the Laughlin's
letter, but didn't address the RTC president's concerns. So last month, the group sounded the alarm and started a national campaign to protect crucial federal funding. Read more here.
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Wyoming Advocates Petition for Safe Path | 
A trail of national prominence in the Grand Tetons is poised at an
important crossroads - and advocates in Wyoming want to ensure park
officials take the path best cycled. Imagine you're a future visitor to this stunning expanse in the Cowboy
State. Which would you prefer? Option #1: You and your family take in the magnificent mountain vistas
as you pedal along a paved trail, far enough from the highway that the
automobile traffic barely registers in your relaxed mindset.Option #2: You take in the buzz and fumes of other families' Winnebagos,
dodge flying gravel and hope the thousands of motorists speeding by at
55 miles per hour, a mere 20 feet away, save their texting for later and
keep their tires on the road. The Friends of Pathways are fighting for Option #1. According to Tim Young, the group's executive director, the proposed
path from Gros Ventre River to the town of Moose will be a
critical link in the evolving network through Grand
Teton National Park. But the design for the six-mile path is a mere 20 feet from the
highway. The advocates from Jackson Hole are urging
officials to push it back to at least 50 feet, to serve the safety
and comfort of visitors. Read more here.
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Walk+Roll Wins Key Republican Supporter | 
Thanks to some dedicated advocates in Cleveland, the
federal Complete Streets Act is now a bipartisan bill.
For many, the name Steve LaTourette is familiar. This spring,
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood made headlines when he jumped on a
table at the National Bike Summit in animated support for bicycling and
walking. LaTourette caught some media attention too, when he jokingly
quipped that LaHood must be on drugs to suggest cycling deserved
significant federal funding.
Well, what a difference a group of dedicated advocates makes. Last week, LaTourette signed on to the Complete Streets Act - a bill now in
Congress that would ensure that communities across America design, build
and operate their roadways with all users in mind, including
bicyclists, public transit users and pedestrians. The Ohio Congressman is
the first Republican to join the growing ranks of lawmakers who support
complete streets. But what nudged LaTourette to add his name? Action from advocates at Walk+Roll Cleveland and local bike shop owners. Read more here.
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New "Bicycle Friendly Destinations" Program Debuts in Cincinnati
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In June, the city of Cincinnati passed an ambitious plan to double
the number of people who ride bicycles for everyday use. Queen City Bike is moving that agenda forward thanks to a $10,000 grant for a new "Bicycle
Friendly Destinations" programs.
The grant, announced earlier this month, comes from The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, but the idea came, in part, from the
business community. Every year, the regional chamber of commerce convenes a Leadership Class
that brings together area powerbrokers to come up with new ideas to
enhance civic life. Living up to the bike-friendly attitude that's been
spreading across the Buckeye State, those leaders agreed that better
bicycling has the potential to lure and retain promising employees. The
folks from Queen City Bike, who helped flesh out the concept, were given
the reins for the Bicycle Friendly Destinations program. "More and more cities are realizing that supporting bicycles is
important for their future," Gary Wright, President of Queen City Bike,
says. "Young people especially measure a community by how bicycle
friendly it is. I'm proud to say that Cincinnati is one of the places
that gets it." Read more here.
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New Publication of Maine Bicycle Routes
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Updated and improved, the second edition of "Explore Maine by Bike"
was released this month by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and
the Maine Department of Transportation.
The full-color booklet details 33 bicycle routes across the state, from
10-mile jaunts to 100-mile adventures. Each route includes, not only a
cue sheet and map, but also descriptions and photos of the scenery,
notes on the terrain and insight into the road conditions. The BCM was contracted by the Maine DOT to develop the substance of the
book and the first edition debuted in 2003. While the Maine DOT designs,
publishes and prints the resource, BCM distributes it free of charge. And the second edition is even better than the first. According to
Allison Vogt, executive director of the BCM, the cue sheets have been
improved and more options have been added for cyclists seeking shorter
routes. "We've also made huge strides in the multi-use path and trail
infrastructure in the state, including the 85-mile Downeast Sunrise
Trail that was opened last month," Vogt says. Read more here.
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Park(ing) Day Successes
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It started in 2005 as a single patch of sod on a metered parking
space in California. That's when the creative minds at Rebar, an art and design company in San Francisco,
realized the absurdity that so much public space is gobbled up by the
movement and storage of private vehicles. So they decided to put a
single parking space to a different use, as a temporary park. In just a few years, the idea has taken off. Park(ing) Day has grown into a global event
that challenges people to rethink the way roads are used and reinforces
the need for broad-based changes to urban infrastructure. This year, on
September 17th, a number of Alliance organizations took part in the
creative, temporary redesign of their communities' streets. Click here to read about the events hosted by Bike Pittsburgh, Livable Streets (Boston) and the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.
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Alliance leaders to plant Susie Trees
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In 2002, the Alliance lost a vibrant visionary when one of the organization's founders, Susie Stephens, was struck and killed by a bus while legally crossing the street in St. Louis. But, since her daughter's tragic death, Nancy McKerrow has kept Susie's spirit alive. Every two years, she joins Alliance advocates at the Leadership Retreat and, in between, she spreads her daughter's story through her Susie Forest initiative. "The planning and the act of planting a tree is how I honor Susie," McKerrow says. Last month, in Chattanooga, dozens of Alliance leaders were moved by McKerrow's presence at the Retreat and many pledged to plant a tree in Susie's honor in the next year. As a playful way to reward tree planters, McKerrow debuted bottles of Susie Forest Beer - her homemade rebranding of Susie's favorite suds from New Belgium Brewing Company. Before the leaders departed the Retreat for their home towns, though, they gathered near the Delta Queen and planted a Susie Tree next to the Tennessee River. Read more about the Susie Forest initiative - or contact Nancy to pledge a tree planting of your own.
Photo courtesy of Yvonne Bambrick
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Alliance Proud Member of New Equity Caucus |
For every American, transportation options are necessary links to social and economic opportunity, including jobs, healthcare and education. But, according to our partners, Transportation for America: "Millions of poor
people and people of color live in communities where quality
transportation options are unaffordable, unreliable, or simply nonexistent. It
does not have to be this way." To address this disparity, T4America launched the Equity Caucus last week. The caucus is a powerful coalition of groups - including civil rights, health, housing, labor and faith-cased organizations - mobilizing to ensure that the next federal transportation bill creates affordable options for all; promotes healthy, safe and inclusive communities; invests equitably and focuses on results; and provides fair access to quality jobs, workforce development,
and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry. The Alliance has proudly signed on to the Caucus' Statement of Principles. Learn more here.
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Are you on Twitter and Facebook?
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The Alliance is and we want to connect with you. Twitter and Facebook are easy ways to get updates from the People Powered Blog and a friendly heads-up about our Mutual Aid calls, training opportunities, Action Alerts and grant deadlines.
Click here to connect with us on Facebook.
Click here to get our tweets from Twitter.
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