2012 Leadership Retreat: Early Registration Ends TODAY
The Alliance Leadership Retreat - the ultimate advocate networking event that only happens once every two years - is just around the corner. Don't miss it!
Alliance staff have worked with local and state-wide organizations to create an agenda that successfully meets the needs of our diverse members. The latest agenda features the event schedule, identifies the topics for our thirty workshop and break-out sessions, and even has logistical information that you can use to plan your travel and visit to Long Beach. Thank you for your help in creating what is sure to be an inspiring weekend of discussion and learning.
We are thrilled to tell you that our program for the 2012 Alliance Leadership Retreat is targeted to all member organizations and leaders of the Alliance. Whether your organization is large or small; whether your focus is walking and biking or just walking; whether you work regionally, locally, or state-wide; whether you are a leader of a community bike shop or membership advocacy organization; the retreat will serve you. Thirty peer-coordinated or expert-lead discussions are planned and you are sure to find plenty that will pique your interest. In short, this is a must-attend event for Alliance leaders.
We've extended the early registration to July 10 (TODAY) to give you the opportunity to review the topics, discussions, sharing, and networking opportunities available with this year's programming. And, with the recent Federal Transportation bill news, you won't want to miss this opportunity to discuss how we will continue to grow local and state-wide advocacy to secure more funding for biking and walking.
Be sure to register today to save your spot and ensure your organization benefits from these important conversations. Have questions about the retreat? Contact Jeremy@PeoplePoweredMovement.org.
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Advocacy Advance Awards $25,000 in New Grants
 In June, Advocacy Advance awarded its latest round of Capacity Building Grants to help grow and professionalize two energetic and promising organizations: Bike Walk Mississippi and Living Streets Alliance in Tucson, Ariz.
Bike Walk Mississippi will receive a $10,000 matching grant to hire a second staff person to increase their effectiveness throughout the state with targeted campaigns, and Living Streets Alliance will receive a $15,000 matching grant to hire their first full-time executive director to strengthen bicycle and pedestrian advocacy in Tucson. 
"Receiving this grant is a real game-changer for Living Streets Alliance," says Emily Yetman, Founder and President of Living Streets Alliance. "It will provide us with the resources we need to expand our programs and reach out to entirely new audiences in the greater Tucson region and beyond. Our Pedestrian Safety & Comfort Campaign will make our city a safer, more enjoyable and more convenient place to walk."  "Although a state typically ranked high in obesity and low in bicycle friendliness, Bike Walk Mississippi believes that local communities have both the drive and passions to do their part to transform Mississippi into a healthier, happier and more bicycle friendly state," says Melody Moody, Executive Director of Bike Walk Mississippi.
For more information about the awards, read our press release.
In addition to Capacity Building Grants, Advocacy Advance will grant $25,000 in Rapid Response Grants throughout the year to help state and local organizations take advantage of unexpected opportunities to win, increase, or preserve funding for biking and walking. 
LivableStreets Alliance is the latest recipient of an Advocacy Advance Rapid Response Grant and was awarded $1,000 to support advocacy efforts of their "Remove McGrath" campaign. Applications for Rapid Response Grants are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information and to apply, visit the Advocacy Advance grants page.
If you have questions about the Advocacy Advance program, contact Brighid O'Keane, Advocacy Advance Program Manager, at brighid@PeoplePoweredMovement.org. |
| Open Streets Guide Available Now | |
This month, the Open Streets Project released the Open Streets Guide in print. This guide demonstrates the benefits of open streets events and provides details on funding and organizational structure for nearly 70 initiatives across North America.
The Open Streets Guide shares best practices from across the continent and is an indispensable resource for those who want to start or improve open streets initiatives in their own communities.
Purchase a hard copy of the Open Streets Guide today!
For more information on the Open Streets Project, contact Mike@PeoplePoweredMovement.org.
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| Update on the New Transportation Law |
 Thank you to all those of you who called the offices of your Representative and Senators over the past few weeks. As you likely already know, the Transportation Conference Committee compromised on a new transportation bill, which passed both the House and Senate. The President signed that bill into law on Friday, July 6.
This new law is not good for biking and walking. It drastically reduces available funding for bike and pedestrian programs, weakens local control, and lumps many of the funding uses for bike/ped programs with new uses under "Transportation Alternatives." For an up-to-date analysis of the language of the bill, visit America Bikes.
In the weeks to come, we'll have another opportunity to bring advocates together to work through challenges and opportunities in this new landscape of federal funding. Please stay tuned to our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter (BikeWalk), and check in on the People Powered Blog for updates.
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Upcoming Mutual Aid Calls
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Our Mutual Aid conference calls are a great 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:
From recruiting new business members to making local businesses more bike- and walk-friendly for customers and employees, working with the business community is a great way to gain support and new membership. Additionally, by lending your expertise as a consultant, your efforts can pay off in greater visibility, legitimacy, and political power. On this Mutual Aid call, we'll discuss the opportunities and potential pitfalls of working with and consulting to local businesses, including coordinating with business districts.
Panelists
Lou Fineberg, Bike Pittsburgh
Erin O'Melinn, HUB: Your Cycling Connection
Allan Crawford: Bike Long Beach
July 25: Strengthening Safe Routes Programs
Safe Routes to School programs positively impact health and safety, ease traffic congestion, reduce busing costs, and are good for the environment. Safe Routes -- in all 50 states and with over 12,000 schools in participation -- has taken off at the state and local level, and advocates have developed great programs in the past seven years to help youth bike and walk to school safely. Organizations are continuing to develop metrics and evaluation techniques to show decision makers just how much Safe Routes programs are worth to students, schools, families, and society. On this Mutual Aid call, our friends at the Safe Routes to School National Partnership and fellow advocates will discuss how to strengthen these important programs with state-level and local evaluation and action.
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August calls:
- August 8: Creating Effective Bike/Ped Advisory Committees
- Late August: Combatting the Myth that Complete Streets are Costly
What would you like to discuss on a Mutual Aid call? Does your organization have expertise to share with peer organizations and others participating in the movement? Contact Jeremy (Jeremy@PeoplePoweredMovement.org ) with your ideas!
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| Alliance at Velo-city and Bike!Bike! 2012 |
Velo-city Global
The Alliance's Jeff Miller attended and delivered a panel presentation at Velo-city Global 2012 in Vancouver in June. Contributing to the discussion around livable communities, one of Jeff's presentations focused on open streets initiatives across North America.
Additionally, Jeff presented on organizing and advocacy campaigns in conjunction with the European Cycling Federation, and he spoke about the Alliance's Benchmarking Report.
"It was great to have Velo-city in Canada and to have participants from nearly every continent," said Jeff. "Not only was the conference more accessible to and inclusive of biking and walking proponents across North and South America, but it gave Vancouver the opportunity to shine on the global stage with all of its excellent improvements in bike infrastructure."
Bike!Bike!
Mike Samuelson from the Alliance joined leaders from community bike shops across North America for the 9th annual Bike!Bike! conference, held this year in Vancouver. The four-day conference featured workshops on a variety of topics, ranging from the technical (demystifying disk brakes) to the organizational (managing finances).
Additionally, Mike facilitated a discussion around the role of community bike shops in the larger advocacy movement and how the Alliance can work with community bike shops further to support their role of putting more people on bikes.
"The conference was filled with energy reflective of the young, diverse group of attendees and the decision making process of the conference, which is consensus-based and gives all attendees a chance to express their thoughts," said Mike.
Next year's Bike!Bike! conference will take place in New Orleans.
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Invest in the Alliance...and WIN!
Through our trainings, coaching, retreats, conference calls and other programs, the Alliance for Biking & Walking, creates, strengthens and unites state and local bicycle and pedestrian organizations. This core work is the most important thing you help win, but wait, there's more!
Donate to the Alliance by August 15, and you'll be entered to win a FREE VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacation anywhere in the U.S. (a $2,245 value!), and you're guaranteed $200 off your next vacation!
Most importantly, your investment will make a difference in supporting the work of the Alliance. Some Alliance highlights this year include:
- New publications like the 2012 Benchmarking Report, Open Streets Guide and Alliance Guide to Fundraising series
- Over $160,000 in grants to state and local advocates through Advocacy Advance
- Opportunities for growth and organizational development, including coaching, strategic planning, Mutual Aid Calls, Winning Campaigns Trainings, and more!
Please make a personal investment in the Alliance TODAY to support grassroots advocacy and better biking and walking in communities across North America.
Thank you for investing in the Alliance for Biking & Walking!
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Support the National Women's Bicycling Summit
On September 13, the League of American Bicyclists and APBP (in partnership with the Alliance) will host the National Women's Bicycling Summit after the Alliance Leadership Retreat and at the end of Pro Walk / Pro Bike in Long Beach, California.
The Summit will provide a unique opportunity for everyday bicyclists and bicycle professionals to network, share best practices and develop action steps to get more women in YOUR community out riding. Be part of this evolving initiative and help us ensure this event is a huge success by pledging your support today!
The Summit will feature targeted break-out sessions and facilitated discussions that allow us to delve deeper into specific areas, like media, diversity and political engagement. It will include an inspirational keynote address, the Cycle Chic Fashion show and an after party to socialize with fellow advocates and bicyclists.
Registration will open by July 23. Tickets will be $30 and include admission to the Cycle Chic Fashion Show.
Stay tuned to the Bike League blog for more information in coming weeks. Questions? Interested in sponsorship? Contact Carolyn Szczepanski: Carolyn@BikeLeague.org, (202) 621-5452.
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Check in on the Alliance Job Board: Family Biking in Tucson:
Living Streets Alliance hosted Kidical Mass, where nearly 150 kids of all ages and abilities (parents included) took to the streets for a three-mile jaunt along local parks, down a bicycle boulevard, through the University of Arizona and back.
Events like Kidical Mass are part of Living Streets Alliance's effort to bring their message to the whole spectrum of riders, from young to old and new to experienced. At their Bikes & Tykes Expo, local parents, kids and representatives from bike shops came together to share commuting experiences, discuss routes and show off equipment that makes biking as a family easier. Additionally, Living Streets Alliance just hosted their third annual Cyclovia Tucson.
Read more here.
City of Lights Addresses Social Aspects of Sustainability:
On June 25, HUB: Your Cycling Connection hosted advocates for Velo-Talk, a half-day of gathering to share and discuss campaign and program successes. Our own Jeff Miller was the opening keynote speaker with numberous conversations on campaigns, partnerships and programs. Thanks to the HUB for pulling 60 advocates together to network and learn from each other. Check out presentations from the event here.
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Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2012 Registration Deadline July 12: The Early Summer Registration rate for Pro Walk/Pro Bike ends July 12 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Alliance members enjoy significant savings on conference registration, so act now to take advantage of the best rate. The conference will open at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 10 following the Alliance Leadership Retreat and will close at 1:30 pm, Thursday, September 13 just before the National Women's Bicycling Summit. The conference will feature 100+ presentations and panel sessions covering topics from advocacy and new design practices, to peer problem solving sessions and the latest on the new federal transportation bill. For large group discounts or other program questions please contact: Mark Plotz, Conference Director, (202) 223-3621 or Mark@BikeWalk.org.
Register for Pro Walk/Pro Bike here!
Six Women Ride Tour de France Route for Bikes Belong: Six women have already begun to ride the entire route of the Tour de France to support women's cycling and the Bikes Belong Foundation. One day before the official race began, the Rêve 2012 Women's Team, comprised of a molecular biologist, journalist, mothers and business owners, set out to ride the 2,162 mile route in 21 days to finish in Paris on July 21. Follow the Rêve team and support their efforts as they attempt to raise $60,000 for Bikes Belong. Read more on the Bikes Belong news page.
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