Thanks to all who responded to our action alert on rumble strips -- more than 1,200 letters and e-mails were sent to all 50 state transportation agencies reminding them where and how rumble strips are to be implemented on roadway shoulders. We got their attention and are seeing great results. Check out the update here.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) National Center for Statistics and Analysis has released new fatality data for 2009. While it's still hard to fathom that more than 33,000 people were killed in our streets last year, the trend is in the right direction. Cyclist fatalities dropped 12 percent -- 718 in 2008 to 630 in 2009. One disappointment is that pedestrian fatalities declined at a slower rate than the others, lowering 7.3 percent from 4,414 to 4,092.The total number of traffic fatalities dropped 9.7 percent from 37,423 to 33,808. Read more here.

The League will have a strong presence at Interbike (the bicycle industry trade show) this year. If you are there, come visit us in Advocacy row, right outside of the exhibitor hall. Meet the staff and learn more about the League - you'll also be able to meet our special guest and friend Mia Birk, author of Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, during the following times: Wednesday, September 22 at 2:30 p.m. and Thursday, September 23 at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Education Director Preston Tyree will be presenting the fruits of our education partnership with the National Bicycle Dealers Association, Wednesday 1:00pm to 3:00pm in Room 106 of the Sands Expo Center, and League president Andy Clarke will speak at the IMBA Industry Breakfast on Thursday in the same place. Clarke will announce the most recent Bicycle Friendly Business award winners and discuss the National Bike Summit and the League's advocacy, education and industry work.

The League is a beneficiary of the 2010 El Tour de Tucson, held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Sign up online to ride for the League, and raise money for our new Cyclist Legal Defense Fund. This year's tour is also dedicated to John Howard, the three-time Olympian and 18-time national masters cycling champion. Find out more here. 

The Advocacy Advance program (a joint initiative of the Alliance for Biking and Walking and the League) has awarded $103,000 to four different biking and walking organizations: the California Bicycle Coalition Education Fund was awarded $30,000, the Missouri Foundation for Bicycling and Walking was awarded $30,000, Livable Memphis was awarded $25,000, and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine was awarded $18,000. To learn about why each organization was awarded and what they plan to do with the grants, click here.