On July 7, John Mica (R-FL), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House, announced his proposal for the next surface transportation re-authorization bill. Alarmingly, the proposal eliminates dedicated funding for bicycling and walking, including Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program. Meanwhile on the Senate side, James Inhofe (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator on the transportation bill, declared that one of his TOP THREE priorities for the transportation bill is to eliminate 'frivolous spending for bike trails.'

The League and the America Bikes Coalition have launched a critical advocacy alert. Please contact your Members of Congress and tell them to reach out to Senators Inhofe, Boxer, and Congressman Mica to urge them to continue funding for Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails. Read more on the Bike League blog.

Adult obesity rates are rising at rapid speeds across the nation, giving our policy makers another reason to include bicycling in the transportation bill. The rates increased in 16 states in the past year and did not decline in any state, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011. Twelve states now have obesity rates above 30 percent. Four years ago, only one state was above 30 percent. Ironically, the top 10 most obese states are also not very bike friendly. Not one of those ten states makes it into the top 20 most Bicycle Friendly States.

What a relief to finally get some good news about funding for bicycling. On July 1, the Delaware General Assembly voted to dedicate $5 million in new funding for bicycling in Delaware. That's "more money than the state has ever allocated before," according to Bike Delaware's announcement. Bike Delaware is undertaking a campaign to ensure that the $5 million is used as a local match to leverage federal funds. Federal funds typically require a 20 percent match, which means the $5 million provided by the state could mean $25 million for bicycling in Delaware. Read the Bike League blog for more info.

Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community Scottsdale, Ariz. has received a Project of the Year designation from the American Public Works Association for their Indian Bend Road Improvements. This project reconstructed one mile of roadway and built a bridge over a major wash. It included bike lanes, a shared use path, sidewalks, a grade-separated crossing for the path, and some pretty cool public art. It provides bike and pedestrian connections from the primary path system to a city park.

The  Bicycle Friendly Community and University application deadline is July 22. If you have any questions about applying or your application, please contact Nicole Wynands for information.

The League is pleased to announce two new staff members have been added to the League family. Allisa Simcox is the new Director of Education (Preston Tyree retired), and she joins us from the National Association of Home Builders where she managed their education programs. Nicole Wynands has been added to the Bicycle Friendly America team as the new Program Specialist (Carly Sieff is going to grad school). Wynands had been with the World Bank working on large scale infrastructure project development.

The League hosts free Club Leadership Webinars for club leaders and volunteers who are looking to improve their club and learn best practices from the nation's most successful bike clubs. July's webinar -- Successful Event Rides -- features Jay Marowitz and Jim Hunt who helped organize the June 11 Revolutionary Ramble for Morris Area Freewheelers in New Jersey. This free webinar will be held on Tuesday, July 26, at 8 p.m. EST. Club leaders, register today for Successful Event Rides.

Whether or not you're planning to attend the webinar, please take our event ride survey. It's quick and will help inform the webinar, as well as an upcoming resource guide on conducting successful event rides.

Many League clubs wrestle with the incorporation and non-profit status issue. To help you figure this out, the League's membership department has published a Club Guide that includes a section on incorporating. Read the Club Guide here. 

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) issued an RFP looking for professional consulting management services for marketing transportation options in Chicago. For those interested in this opportunity, proposals have to be submitted by August 8. The RFP pdf is available here.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is looking for a communications director to advance their work promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation.

Colorado Springs is hiring a non-motorized Transportation Project Design/Field Specialist. Learn more about this job.

Transportation alternatives is hiring a Pedestrian Safety Advocate to engage New Yorkers in how sensible street design is fundamental to public health and quality of life in NYC. Apply today.