Use the Benchmarking Report; Preserve Federal Funding for Biking and Walking
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A new report released by the Alliance in January ranks all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities on bicycling and walking levels, safety, funding, and other factors.
Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report comes at a critical moment, as Congress takes up the imminent passage of the next federal transportation bill, which dictates how billions of tax dollars will be spent over coming years.
The Benchmarking Report reveals that, in nearly every city and state, pedestrians and bicyclists are disproportionately at risk of being killed, and currently receive less than a fair share of transportation dollars. While 12 percent of trips in the U.S. are by bike or foot, 14 percent of traffic fatalities are bicyclists and pedestrians. Pedestrian and bicycle projects receive less than 2 percent of federal transportation dollars.
Thank you to the many organizations that have used the Benchmarking Report and cited this important statistic in local press releases since the release last week -- the media coverage has been wide and impressive. If you haven't already, we invite you to download the report and use it as fuel to make the case for biking and walking as the debate heats up on Capitol Hill in coming days.
The report compiles persuasive evidence that bicycle and pedestrian projects create more jobs than highway projects, and provide at least three dollars of benefit for every dollar invested. The report also highlights the health benefits of active transportation, showing that states with the highest rates of bicycling and walking are also among those with the lowest rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and made possible through additional support from AARP and Planet Bike. To learn more, download a free e-copy or purchase a printed report visit: www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/benchmarking
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| Save the Date: National Women Cycling Forum
| | In the United States, women cycle at much lower rates than men -- making up just 24 percent of total bike trips in 2009. But that trend is shifting. A growing number of women from all backgrounds and communities are beginning to ride and getting more involved in the bicycle movement. As female leaders and cyclists, we're eager to learn from our peers, share our experiences and explore ideas to engage more women.
Join the conversation: Attend the National Women Cycling Forum on March 20, 2012 from 2-4 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC.
Hosted by the Alliance and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, this forum will provide insight from a diverse panel of women in bicycle advocacy, engineering, government and industry. It will foster collective discussion about best practices, creative ideas and potential next steps in addressing the pervasive gender cycling gap at a national and local level. And it will invite input on the Women Cycling Project -- a joint effort of the Alliance and APBP to create a new, interactive, online presence for women cyclists and advocates. This event will be held in conjunction with the 2012 National Bike Summit -- and your presence at this annual event has never been more important. Congress is making important and long-term decisions about the next federal transportation bill and women's voices and stories are essential to preserving billions in funding for bicycling projects and programs across the country. Register for the Bike Summit by February 20 to save $100. When you make your DC travel plans, make sure you arrive in time for the the National Women Cycling Forum on Tuesday, March 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. This event is open to all interested attendees -- both women and men. Sign up for the Forum here, so you'll get all the details in coming weeks. Plus, mark your calendars for a Women Cycling Social on Wednesday, March 21 from 6 - 8 p.m. at a venue just a few blocks from the Summit hotel. Stay tuned for details! Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Have additional questions? Contact Carolyn@PeoplePoweredMovement.org. |
Federal Transportation Bill Moving in U.S. House and Senate: Next Federal Policy Webinar Feb 8
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 After months and months of stops and starts, the federal transportation bill is moving in earnest in the U.S. House and Senate. We are entering a truly critical period in the coming weeks and we need advocates across the country to be ready for action.
Please join us for our next Federal Policy Webinar, Wednesday, February 8 at 1 p.m. Eastern, hosted by the Alliance and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.
We'll be joined by our partners at America Bikes who will have up-to-the-minute information from Capitol Hill and insight on collective strategies to preserve dedicated funding for biking and walking in the next federal transportation bill. Register here!
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Renew Your Membership for 2012
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Advocates at the 2010 Alliance
Leadership Retreat
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Whatever your goals for 2012, joining the Alliance or renewing your membership will advance your organization. The Alliance is the only national organization that offers:
- The Alliance Leadership Retreat (registration opening this month!) that gives you the chance to share best practices, solve collective challenges and reignite your passion
- Funding, resources and technical assistance through our Advocacy Advance initiative with the League of American Bicyclists -- and new resources and expertise through our Open Streets Project
- An interactive listserv of your peers, more than 20 Mutual Aid conference calls, an Online Resource Library with more than 1,000 resources... and so much more!
But the Alliance is more than a list of benefits. It's a community of passionate advocates, like you, working toward a common goal: transforming our communities into great places to bike and walk. Remember: Alliance membership is based on a calendar year, so if you haven't renewed in 2012 your membership has lapsed!
You are the People Powered Movement. Please, join the Alliance or renew your membership today!
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Honor Your Bike-Ped Peers at the 2012 Alliance Advocacy Awards Reception
|  Thanks to your participation, the Alliance received more than 100 nominations this winter for the 2012 Alliance Advocacy Awards.
Who will take home the prize for Advocate of the Year? Which group will be crowned Advocacy Organization of the Year? Join us March 20, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. at Harriet's Restaurant in Washington, DC, to find out.
The 2012 Alliance Advocacy Awards Reception is free and open to the public, so kick off the National Bike Summit by honoring your peers and partying with a couple hundred of your closest bike-ped friends. Whether you're a longtime member of the Alliance or want to learn more about our work and meet leaders from our organizations, add this event to your Bike Summit schedule.
The Alliance is also coordinating other events during the Bike Summit - stay tuned to the March edition of Streetside for a full list.
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| Apply by Feb 24: Host an Action 2020 Workshop
 Advocacy Advance -- a partnership of the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking and Walking -- is now accepting applications for its Action 2020 Workshops.
The goal of Advocacy Advance is to double federal funding for biking and walking through increased spending at the state, MPO and local level where many funding decisions are ultimately made. The partnership plans to meet this goal by producing best practice reports, providing technical assistance, awarding grants and facilitating Action 2020 Workshops.
These workshops bring together advocates, agency staff, and elected officials and are designed to ensure that participants have the knowledge, skills and resources to access untapped or under-utilized federal funding sources at the state, regional and local level to build bicycling and walking infrastructure and programs.
Applications to host a workshop are due Friday, February 24.
Read more on the Advocacy Advance blog.
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Apply for an Advocacy Advance Grant
 Advocacy Advance is offering $25,000 in Capacity Building Grants to Alliance member organizations in 2012.
Capacity Building Grants support the development and professionalization of state and local advocacy organizations to increase rates of biking and walking. These matching grants, funded by Planet Bike, will be used for organizational development, hiring staff, building membership, and for other organizational tools to foster a sustainable advocacy organization.
Inquiry applications are available online and are due by March 9.
In addition, Advocacy Advance is pleased to offer $35,000 of Rapid Response Grants in 2012 to help state and local organizations take advantage of unexpected opportunities to win, increase, or preserve funding for biking and walking. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and are available online.
For more information, contact Brighid O'Keane, Advocacy Advance Program Manager, at brighid@PeoplePoweredMovement.org. |
Join Alliance Staff on the NYC-DC Climate Ride
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Carolyn (far right) at the completion of the California Climate Ride |
What better way to celebrate National Bike Month than riding from the Big Apple to the nation's capital to raise money and awareness about bicycle advocacy?
Join Jeff Miller, Alliance President/CEO, and Carolyn Szczepanski, Communications Coordinator, for the New York City to Washington, DC, Climate Ride from May 19-23, 2012. The Climate Ride is the nation's largest environmental cycling event and "green conference on wheels," promoting awareness about and action to address climate change. Days are spent pedaling through the countryside, chatting with fellow advocates and enjoying great food, while evenings feature top-notch speakers from various aspects of the diverse movement for green energy and sustainable transportation. Take it from Carolyn, who attended the 2011 California Ride: This is an experience not to be missed!
Sign up to ride with Team Alliance for Biking & Walking today!
Riders don't pay to participate - they fundraise to support their chosen organization. Each person pledges to collect $2,400 to cover the costs of their ride and, collectively, direct thousands of dollars to groups that work to protect the climate and promote sustainable transportation -- like the Alliance.
When you sign up, you can choose the Alliance as your sole beneficiary OR direct your funds to multiple groups, like Transportation Alternatives in New York City or the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. So mark your calendars for the NYC-DC Climate Ride, May 19-23, 2012. And sign up today to ride with Team Alliance!
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Upcoming Mutual Aid Calls
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The 400+ attendees for our Mutual Aid Calls in 2011 can't be wrong: These conference calls are an ideal forum to gain insight from your Alliance peers on the specific issues and topics that are important to your organization. All calls begin at 2 p.m. Eastern and run for one hour.
This month:
- February 8: Working with your Members of Congress- Now, more than ever, building and cultivating relationships with your members of Congress is critical to protecting and advancing bicycle and pedestrian issues on a federal level. Whether you're gearing up to attend the National Bike Summit in March or working in your home community to protect critical funding for sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways in the next federal transportation bill, this call will give you insight into successfully engaging your delegates in Washington, D.C. Register here.
- February 22: Framing our Message for the Public, Press and Policymakers- For the average American, overworked Congress member or overloaded journalist, it can be difficult to immediately grasp the many benefits of biking and walking. Well-worn bike-ped catch phrases like "active transportation," "bicycle mode share" or "walkability" may alienate - rather than entice - potential supporters and allies. How can you create messages that resonate culturally, economically and financially with the audiences you seek? Attend this call to hear from communications experts and fellow advocates who will give you insight into framing and messaging that will resonate. Register here.
- February 29: Growing your Open Streets Initiative- Over the past five years, more than 50 open streets initiatives have taken root across North America. Cities of all sizes have reaped the economic, health and community building benefits of open streets, and many are now looking to expand both the frequency and length of their events and initiatives. But how do you go from an event that happens once a year to something that is engrained in the culture of the city? Join us for a discussion on how cities have overcome obstacles and grown their initiative. Register here.
Registration open:
Mark your calendars:
- April 4: Bike to Work Day / Month Events: Best Practices and Innovations
- April 18: The Business of Community Bike Shops
- April 25: Vision Zero
Do you have a call idea? Contact Carolyn@PeoplePoweredMovement.org.
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Congratulations Raffle Winners!
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Thank you to all the generous Alliance supporters who donated during our end-of-year fundraising campaign. And thank you to all the new and renewing members who have joined the Alliance for 2012.
But special congratulations are in order for the winners of our raffle prizes. Drum roll please.....
 A year's supply of CLIF Bars goes to:
The Tern Link D8 goes to:
The Breezer Uptown Infinity goes to:
- Individual donor: Paul Frenz
Thank you to our generous supporters at CLIF Bar, Breezer and Tern for boosting our 2011 fundraising campaign. If you haven't already, join the winners and make a gift to the Alliance TODAY!
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Thanks for reading Streetside!
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If you have ideas or suggestions about Streetside or other Alliance communications, please contact Carolyn@PeoplePoweredMovement.org.
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Livable Memphis Completes Advocacy Advance Innovation Grant: In December, Livable Memphis, a recipient of a Fall 2010 Advocacy Advance Grant, completed its "Overton-Broad Connector" Innovation Grant proposal. The advocates used their $25,000 award to introduce two model innovations to the local community. The New Face for an Old Broad event in November 2010 took the Better Blocks concept to a new level by temporarily reprogramming a street to show how bicycle and pedestrian facilities can encourage economic development. The grant also supported Livable Memphis's advocacy efforts to complete the Overton-Broad Connector, a park trail segment that will increase access to mixed-income communities. Read more.
California Bicycle Coalition Completes Advocacy Advance Start-Up Grant: The California Bicycle Coalition (CBC), a recipient of a Fall 2010 Advocacy Advance Grant, completed its $30,000 "Leveraging the Bike Power of the Golden State" Start-up Grant proposal in December. The grant funds, which were matched three-fold, helped relaunch the organization, hire a second full-time staff, support key advocacy initiatives and explore membership models for a statewide organization in a state that has 15 professional-staffed bicycle advocacy groups. CBC successfully advocated for a reform of the Caltrans California Traffic Controls Devices Committee, which will help ensure that complete streets standards are upheld throughout the state. Read more.
South Carolina Advocates Take "Cities for Cycling" Concept to the State Level:
Drawing inspiration from a national initiative, the Palmetto Cycling Coalition is developing a new way for state stakeholders to discuss best practices for introducing and maintaining bicycle programs in South Carolina. Cities for Cycling: South Carolina will bring together bicycle advocates with planning & engineering departments of cities and towns across the state to identify issues relating to bicycle transportation challenges and opportunities. Through collaboration among these various departments statewide, the PCC hopes to establish a forum for the exchange of bicycle transportation innovation, insights, and recommendations. Read more.
Oregon Advocates Propel Bike Share in Portland: In August, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Oregon's statewide advocacy organization, received a $3,000 Advocacy Advance Rapid Response grant to assist in its advocacy efforts to bring bike share to Portland. In December, the bike share program won its final stages of approval -- a unanimous vote of the Metropolitan Planning Organization followed by a final allocation decision by the Metro Council -- thanks, in large part, to the BTA. The bike share program will have 740 bikes located at 74 bike stations throughout downtown Portland, encouraging thousands of new riders in the central business district and enhancing safety associated with increased ridership. Read more.
Recycle-A-Bicycle Hosts Another Successful Youth Bike Summit: More than 200 participants from across the nation gathered in New York City for the 2012 Youth Bike Summit, hosted by Recycle-A-Bicycle this month. The Alliance had the honor of participating in multiple workshops, including a presentation on Women in the Cycling Advocacy Movement with the incredible young women from Girls Bike Club from West Town Bikes in Chicago. Read more.
Florida Advocates Celebrate Completion of M-Path: This month, the Green Mobility Network held a ride to celebrate the completion of the M-Path Bridge in Miami-Dade County. The bridge, a part of the M-Path Extension, is the final 1.2 miles of a multi-use path that was begun in the 1980s, and stretches from downtown Miami to the county's southern border. Discussions about a plan to complete this path have been happening since before the Green Mobility Network was founded in 2007. Read more.
Marin County Advocates Win Board-Level Safe Routes Policy: This month, the Mill Valley School District passed a new Safe Routes to School policy, initiated by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) that will encourage students in the district to walk, bike, or carpool to school. The policy gives support for safety education at schools, as well as support for the Mill Valley Safe Routes to School Program. The goal of the policy is to ensure that students in the district have access to safety education and support for walking and biking to school regardless of any changes in staff or elected officials. Read more.
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Register TODAY for the National Bike Summit: Register now for the 2012 National Bike Summit to be held March 20-22, 2012. Hosted by the League of American Bicyclists in Washington, DC, the summit is a key opportunity to meet fellow advocates and defend critical federal funding programs for biking and walking. Early registration ends February 20: Sign up TODAY!
New Report on Active Transportation in Rural Areas: The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy just released an important report -- Active Transportation Beyond Urban Centers: Walking and Bicycling in Small Towns and Rural America - showing that, contrary to common belief, bicycling and walking rates in rural regions are comparable to those in urban areas; that federal investment in active transportation in rural areas is significant; and this investment pays large dividends for local communities and economies. Read more. Go Green Foundation Launches National Challenge: The Go Green Foundation recently launched the Go Green Challenge, a grassroots call-to-action for America's youth. The goal of the challenge is to engage 2 million young people in the Spare Our Planet Program, a student-led competition designed to increase awareness about climate change and promote the use of biking, walking, public transit and carpooling. Sign up to be a Go Green champion in your community.
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