| Save the Date: 2011 Membership Development Training |
The first Membership Development Training in 2009 was such a phenomenal success that we're bringing it back in 2011.
A robust membership base is the strongest tool we have to win campaigns, become fiscally sound and grow our movement. To be most successful and consistent, advocacy organizations need a strong membership plan and the will to implement it. Two years ago, we brought together top professionals from the world of membership development to give bicycle and pedestrian advocates the necessary tools and skills to boost their ranks and better engage their members.
A total of 56 participants from 40 groups, representing 21 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces attended the 2009 workshop in San Francisco. This year, we're hosting another Membership Development Training in Chicago, September 28-30, 2011. As in 2009, this training is applicable to all levels, whether you're just getting started with building your membership base or looking to tweak an already successful program.
Mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more details in coming editions of Streetside and on the People Powered Blog.
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Winning Campaigns Trainings Announced for 2011
It's impossible to capture even a hint of the energy and inspiration of an Alliance Winning Campaigns Training in a simple newsletter. Over the past few months, as we wrapped up our 2010 series, we tried to give you a taste, by sharing the rave reviews of amped-up participants. But short testimonials don't do the workshop justice. You've got to experience it yourself to understand the impact.
In 2011, we're giving you six opportunities to jumpstart your next winning campaign with the guidance of our expert facilitators and the assistance of your bike-ped peers.
In 2010, the Alliance hosted its three-day trainings in six cities across North America. In total, the workshops drew 117 advocates from a wide array of organizations. By working through the workshop's curriculum, those participants tweaked or launched 59 different campaigns to boost biking and walking in their communities.
Now that it's a new year, it's time for a new round of trainings. So save the date for a 2011 Winning Campaigns Training in your area.
- April 1-3: Hosted by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Davenport, IA
- May 20-22: Hosted by Bike Maryland, in Baltimore, MD
- June 3-5: Hosted by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, in Seattle, WA
- August 26-28: Hosted by the League of Michigan Bicyclists, in Lansing, MI
- October 14-16: Hosted by the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, in Los Angeles, CA
- November 4-6: Hosted by the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, in Columbia, SC
Click here to register for a 2011 training!
Like 2010, we're happy to announce a measure of friendly regional competition for 2011, too. The host organization that draws the MOST participants to its training in 2011 will win a free international getaway from VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations that they can raffle off or use as a fundraiser.
In 2010, Local Motion in Burlington, Vermont, packed their Winning Campaign Training with attendees and narrowly edged out the good folks in Oakland for the free bicycling trip to Italy valued at $3,500. "This goes to show that small communities can make BIG impacts," Adele Dienno, Local Motion's event's coordinator, says of the organization's win. "Thanks to all those who came from as far away as Nova Scotia; to VBT and its president, Gregg Martson; and to the Alliance and our presenters, Jeremy Grandstaff and Ron Milam."
Who will take home the 2011 prize? Register now for a training near you!
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Key Vote on the Horizon: Meet with your Members of Congress Now
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 The midterm elections brought a fresh crop of conservative politicians to Washington, DC, raising concerns that 2011 could be a tough year for bicycle and pedestrian funding at the federal level. The new Congress is now in session and, already, the outlook for bike-ped interests is challenging at best.
We're entering a critical moment for our movement - a time during which grassroots action will play an absolutely vital role in maintaining crucial programs that promote biking and walking. Already, our friends at America Bikes are forecasting a critical vote before March 4th that could deal a significant blow to bike-ped funding.
We know you want to help protect key dollars that enhance the transportation network in your community. One of the most important ways you can make a difference is creating or cultivating relationships with your local U.S. Representatives and Senators. One great way to start or strengthen that relationship is to set up an in-district meeting with your local member of Congress or staff. During those meetings, impress upon your congressional representatives that biking and walking projects are good for their districts and popular among their constituents. Show them that there is a strong, unified and organized base of voters in their district that support biking and walking. Talk to them about a local trail project or road improvement that has been a great success - or remind them of an area that is particularly dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. Invite them to join you on a ride or walking tour to experience the fun and freedom of active transportation for themselves and introduce them to the many men and women, from both sides of the political spectrum, who rely on this healthy and cost-effective option to commute or recreate. In this fiscal environment, where dollars are scarce and cuts are being proposed across the board, we're going to need new and resolved allies on Capitol Hill. We don't know yet what specific attacks may come in the next few months, so your ask to your members of Congress is simple: Support federal funding for biking and walking. We'll keep you posted with updates as things unfold here in Washington, DC. Feel free to contact Jeff Miller, at the Alliance, or Caron Whitaker, at America Bikes, for tips and pointers on setting up and conducting a productive meeting with your members. |
Next Federal Policy Call January 20
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The 112th Congress was sworn in just this week, but things are already moving fast here in Washington, DC.
As we noted in the article above, federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects will undoubtedly be on the chopping block in coming weeks and months. We'll need a massive mobilization of the grassroots to protect the critical programs that fund popular and successful active transportation projects in your area.
So stay connected to the latest news by joining the Alliance's next Federal Policy Call on January 20th at 2 p.m. EST.
We'll host America Bikes and other national partners to discuss the latest issues and updates from Capitol Hill. Bring your news and ideas, too. Our federal policy call is a two-way discussion about how advocates can best coordinate to make an impact in Washington, DC.
Remember to register for the call here, so you'll receive the briefing memo with helpful information that will guide the discussion.
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| Transform Your Organization through Strategic Planning: Apply by Jan 31 |
 In 2010, funding from New Belgium Brewing Company allowed us to offer and offset much of the cost of facilitating a Whole System Strategic Planning Process for four member organizations.
The Whole System Strategic Planning approach brings together organization stakeholders to establish a shared, clear, and compelling vision - and guides those stakeholders to craft a set of specific actions to achieve that vision. The results are transformational: increased buy-in from the organization's stakeholders; clearly defined and prioritized actions for moving forward; and an energized commitment to the organization's future.
Just ask the folks at the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. The Seattle-based organization was among the groups selected for assistance during the competitive application process in 2010. Barbara Culp, the group's executive director, says: "The Strategic Planning process has positively changed how we do business in the office, and the board of directors, staff and membership are eager for the planning summit this spring to help clarify and focus the organization to meet the ever-shifting bicycle advocacy movement."
In 2011, continued funding from New Belgium will allow us to expand this offering to two more organizations.
Is your organization struggling because you lack a compelling or widely held vision? Are you looking for ways to increase your volunteers or membership? Do you want to engage new audiences in your work? If you answered "Yes" to any of those questions, your organization could be a winning candidate for Strategic Planning assistance.
The Alliance will be accepting applications through January 31, 2011. Click here for more information and to download the application. For questions about or guidance with your application, contact Jeremy Grandstaff, Member Services Director, at Jeremy@PeoplePoweredMovement.org.
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Alliance Reopens Search for Advocacy Advance Program Manager
|  We have big plans for 2011 and we're looking for a passionate, experienced organizer to join our team at the Alliance for Biking & Walking.
Based out of the Alliance's office in Washington DC, the Advocacy Advance Program Manager will manage multiple components of the Advocacy Advance Program, an exciting initiative which aims to double federal funding for biking and walking projects over the next two years.
Advocacy Advance is a dynamic partnership between the Alliance and the League of American Bicyclists, funded through the generous support of SRAM. Under the supervision of the Alliance's President, the Manager will:
- Reach out to, organize and coach advocacy organization leaders on prioritized initiatives
- Manage the Advocacy Advance Grants program to grow and assist state and local organizations
- Coordinate and lead trainings on campaign organizing, membership development, and organizational development for state and local advocacy organizations, including training development, planning, facilitation and logistics
- Work closely with League of American Bicyclists' staff on coordinated programs
Qualifications include:
- A strong interest in bicycle and pedestrian advocacy and organizational development
- Experience as an organizer, leader and trainer in transportation, land use policy or a grassroots organization
- Experience building capacity of community organizations
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation, planning, and organizational skills
- Strong oral and writing skills
For the full job description, click here. Applications are due Monday, January 10.
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Alliance Seeks Spring 2011 Interns
| The Alliance is seeking enthusiastic candidates to serve as Spring 2011 interns here at our office in Washington, DC. An internship at the Alliance is a unique opportunity to gain a wealth of hands-on experience and an array of marketable skills - not to mention, a great chance to get involved in the national bicycle and pedestrian advocacy movement.
The start and end dates of these internships are flexible, but run generally from February to May. The deadline for applications is January 14th. Read the short descriptions below and click on the links for the full listing on our Job Board.
Spring Communications Intern
The 2011 Spring Communications Intern will have a unique opportunity to work firsthand with a national non-profit. Work includes regular editing and writing for web and print communications (including the Alliance's blog and monthly e-news), administering and editing an online resources and photo library, outreach and research for Alliance publications, assisting with mailings, outreach to sponsor and partner groups, and other general communications tasks. For a full description, click here.
Technology Development Intern
The Database/Technology Development Intern will gain firsthand knowledge working with the member organizations of our international coalition. This project-based work includes assisting with the development and integration of current Alliance Internet-based and internal technologies including web sites, listservs, contact databases, and other applications. For a full description, click here. |
Nominate a Latino Elected Official for a VeloCity 2011 Scholarship
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 In an effort to boost bicycling in U.S. cities, two bike industry leaders are giving a handful of Latino elected officials a free trip to Seville, Spain.
From March 23-25, Seville will play host to Velo-City 2011, the premiere international conference on bicycling. Given the unique opportunities for Spanish speakers, SRAM and Bikes Belong are offering as many as 12 scholarships to Latino officials from the U.S. to take advantage of the conference and the common language to fully immerse themselves in Seville's cycling transformation.
Adolfo Hernandez, advocacy director for the Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago, is working with SRAM and Bikes Belong to promote the opportunity and review the applications. He says the example set by Seville could make a huge difference back home in your community.
"We will introduce our Latin American elected officials to Seville's elected officials in meetings, tours and workshops designed to highlight the benefits that the city has experienced," he says. "Our elected officials will have an opportunity to hear firsthand from their Seville peers about the challenges, successes and political impact of the city's commitment to increase the levels of bicycling. Our hope is that elected officials return with a sense of how quickly change can come about and ideas about how to transform our American cities in cycling cities."
The deadline for applications is January 14th, 5 p.m., EST. But don't wait. There's a benefit to being first in line - some of the scholarships will be awarded early. Read more and download the application here. |
Discounted Registration for National Bike Summit
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 Hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, the National Bike Summit is an annual opportunity to show members of Congress the size, strength and passion of our national movement for biking and walking. From March 8-11, 2011, hundreds of advocates, supporters and business leaders will converge in Washington, D.C., to hear inspiring speakers, participate in insightful presentations and, most importantly, meet with their elected officials to advocate for policies and programs that promote more and better bicycling across the nation. With a challenging fiscal and political landscape on Capitol Hill, this year it's especially critical that your elected officials hear from you. Our friends at the League are offering the discounted League member registration rate for Alliance members, too. Register before February 3 and you'll save $80! Just click here for the discount code. (If you are already a League member please do NOT use this code, as it will not provide any additional benefit.) See you in DC this March! |
New Webinar Series on Transportation and Health
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 This month, the American Public Health Association kicks off a new webinar series that highlights and delves into how transportation systems impact health in diverse communities across the nation. The four-part series starts next week with the first discussion examining " What Healthy Communities Need from their Transportation System." Then, in February, Alliance president Jeffrey Miller will be a panelist for " The Health Benefits from Active Transportation" webinar. To read the full descriptions and register for the webinars, click here. For questions, please contact APHA's Eloisa Raynault at eloisa.raynault@apha.org. |
| Thank You Fall Interns, and Welcome New Member Services Fellow |
The Alliance was privileged to have two exceptional interns this fall: Alexandra Boardman and Mike Samuelson.
 Alex came to us from Tulane University, where she's majoring in political science and environmental studies. During her time at the Alliance, Alex helped us with data conversion, important event logistics, background work on Advocacy Advance Grants and much more. We're already missing her around the office and wish her the best of luck in her senior year!
 Mike came to us after finishing his degrees in Geography and Urban Studies at Macalaster College in Minnesota - and his interest in bike-ped issues was immediately apparent. During his tenure as Member Services intern, Mike assisted with database development, data conversion, event coordination, and gathering valuable direct feedback from our leaders on how the Alliance can serve the movement better. Lucky for us, Mike was recently selected and hired as our new Member Services Fellow. We're confident Mike's dedication, work ethic and sense of humor will enhance the Alliance in 2011, as he assists with all event coordination and registration, ongoing coaching of members, and many of our critical member services and operations tasks.
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| 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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 | BikePGH Celebrates Expanded Bicycle Network
It was a white paint Christmas for cyclists in the Steel City. Thanks to the efforts of Bike Pittsburgh, the holiday season included decking the streets with fresh white paint, marking new bicycle facilities across the East End. According to BikePGH: "Over the past year, we worked diligently with the City of Pittsburgh to plan for and design over 12 miles of new bike lanes that we have been waiting patiently to see installed." Well, Santa came a little early. In late November, city officials striped a number of new bike lanes and installed a slew of sharrows. The advocates at Bike Pittsburgh have been involved throughout the process, so the bicycling facilities create a viable two-wheeling network across the city's East End. But that wasn't the only November victory for BikePGH. After years of advocacy on the issue, the Pittsburgh Port Authority announced that it will outfit the city's remaining 190 buses with racks by November 2011. The quick pace of bike-ped progress hasn't eluded the larger public, either. Scott Bricker, BikePGH's executive director was honored as one of the city's "40 Under 40" in Pittsburgh magazine, too. Read more here.
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America Walks Releases Strategic Plan
On the heels of an energetic Equal Footing Summit in Chattanooga this fall, America Walks recently released its new Strategic Campaign Plan. The summit set the stage for the exciting re-launch of the pedestrian advocacy organization by pooling ideas and setting priorities - many of which are included in the 11-page blueprint for moving the group and the movement forward. "Over the past 50 years, our nation has systematically engineered walking out of daily life," Mindy Craig, America Walks president, writes in the introduction. "To shift this paradigm, we need a broad-based, focused voice to fund and initiate national and local actions to improve walking in America... We hope to enlist you as an ally in advancing walking in your community, business, organization or area of impact." Click here to read the Plan's highlights and sign up your organization as a supporter. |
Strong Complete Streets Policy Signed in TN
Thanks in part to local advocates, Tennessee has a new, strengthened bike-ped policy that puts complete streets into practice. Last month, Gerald Nicely, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, signed the short but sweet directive that requires state officials "routinely integrate bicycling and walking facilities into the transportation system as a means to improve mobility, access and safety of non-motorized traffic." The folks at Bike Walk Tennessee were the first to cheer. Pat Clements, the group's president, says advocates have been emphasizing that Tennessee's previous, 2004 bike-ped policy was "too easy to ignore." In announcing the good news about Nicely's signature on the new policy statement, Jessica Wilson, the state's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, recognized the important role of advocates, who provided specific feedback and helped to spur the needed changes. The timing was certainly fitting. The board of Bike Walk Tennessee had just gotten acquainted with some high-ranking folks. "We met with Governor-elect Bill Haslam's policy staff on Friday, as more or less an introduction," Pat said. "Complete Streets policy was one of several items we communicated to them. A day later, this policy was signed." Read more and examine the highlights of the policy here. |
Pedestrian Resources for a Winter Wonderland
 Linda Mainquist was converted to a pedestrian advocate when she watched a woman in a wheelchair struggle to travel down the roadway because the sidewalk was blanketed in snow. The dangerous situation galvanized the St. Paul, Minn., resident to action: "Something magical happens when you say, 'I'm the one who should do it.'" Mainquist contacted her local city councilmember, who put her in touch with St. Paul Smart Trips, the local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group. Smart Trips had already created a helpful resource for snowy conditions: A slick little door hanger that gave folks a friendly reminder to bust out their shovel and comply with city regulations. "I'm a neighbor who relies on the sidewalks being clear of snow and ice so that it's easy to get around safely," the flier explains. St. Paul Smart Trips isn't the only Alliance organization taking steps to make walking safe in the winter wonderland. According to the Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago: "Snow or ice-covered sidewalks force people to travel in the street-a thoroughly dangerous enterprise. Uncleared sidewalks may even discourage people from walking at all. When people can't walk easily to a destination, they might opt for making an unnecessary car trip." Click here to read more and download some great resources from our online library.
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LivableStreets Making Progress on Bridge Access in Boston
In August 2008, the state of Massachusetts embarked on a massive $3 billion effort to shore up more than 100 dilapidated bridges. Advocates at LivableStreets in Boston seized the opportunity to bring the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians to the surface. It just so happened that the most visible and badly deteriorated bridge was right in their backyard. The Longfellow Bridge connecting Boston and Cambridge was the centerpiece of MassDOT's Accelerated Bridge Program. But, according to the Boston Globe, transportation planners didn't have any intention of addressing the on-street design elements. Until they started getting an earful from advocates at Alliance organizations, like LivableStreets."Officials had been proceeding with plans to rebuild the Longfellow as is, but they put those plans on hold in May, acknowledging a growing chorus calling for something bolder - to make the Longfellow more of a bike-and-pedestrian-friendly extension of the Esplanade," the newspaper reported in November. LivableStreets was a key player in growing that chorus for a better, more bike-ped-friendly bridge. Since the start of the Accelerated Bridge Program, they organized supporters to write letters, attend public meetings and add their input. And it's been working. Read more about the Better Bridges campaign here, download the latest Advocacy Advance Report on bridge access here, and get some insightful tips from LivableStreets' Jackie Douglas on the handy tip sheet from our Bridge Access Mutual Aid call.
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Tunnel Opening Marks Huge Victory for Marin County Bicycle Coalition
Looking out at an excited crowd of more than 300 cyclists and pedestrians, Deb Hubsmith, advocacy director for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, couldn't have smiled any wider. "This is one of the happiest days of my life," she said, as video cameras rolled and flashbulbs popped. The happy and high-profile occasion was the December opening of the $27-million Cal Park Hill Tunnel, a world-class facility that will connect Larkspur and San Rafael, California, reducing the travel time for as many as 800,000 bike commuters every year. Kim Baenisch, MCBC's executive director, explained that the result was well worth the marathon effort. "We've been working on this for 12 years now, so it's amazing to see it finally come," she told Streetfilms. "It's 1.2 miles tip to tip of paved path, including the stretch of tunnel, which is 1,100 feet long. This is a state-of-the-art facility with lighting and cell phone access and security cameras and beautiful smooth pavement and a ventilation system. I mean, what else could you ask for? And it's for bikes and peds!" Read more here.
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MassBike and BCU Spur Improved Bus Driver Training
 Speaking of progress in Boston, several other Alliance member organizations - MassBike, and the Boston Cyclists Union - have been building on their relationships with the local transit agency to enhance bicyclists' access to stations and safety on the streets. Back in April, advocates from MassBike and the Boston Cyclists Union met with officials at the MBTA to discuss how they could work together to better align cyclists and buses as allies, instead of enemies, on city streets. The result: An improved bicyclist safety training for bus drivers that draws on best practices from other areas, like Chicago. David Watson, executive director for MassBike, recently attended one of the trainings. "We are happy to report that the new training is a vast improvement over past policies and should go a long way to making bicyclists safer on the roads," MassBike reported in its newsletter. "During the training, a bus driver will review past incidents, participate in a classroom session with a bicycling advocate present to answer questions, go through a number of bicyclist-driver simulations, and finally be tested through road evaluations. The end result should be a bus driver who is knowledgeable and well-prepared for operating a bus safely around bicyclists." Read more here.
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