August 15, 2011  

Celestron
Greetings!

This weekend, my family and I enjoyed a delightful ride on the grand-daddy of our national trails: the Elroy to Sparta Trail in Wisconsin - 30-some miles, three tunnels (a little scary for some) and a lot of families enjoying the simple pleasure of a bike ride. Today we're in Minneapolis, sampling the city's Nice Ride bike-sharing system, an innovative and successful program that is getting people riding.

 

Forty years separate these innovative projects and programs, and the opportunity to continue funding this kind of thing - and possibly the next big idea - could well be lost in the next 40 days unless we make sure members of Congress know how important these things are to us. Call, e-mail, write, visit or invite your elected officials out for a ride this month to show them what we're talking about. Visit the League's Advocacy Center for more details and advocacy tips.    

 

Andy Clarke
Andy Clarke,
League President

National News
Bikes Fly Free with Frontier Airlines
Cyclists taking their bikes as checked baggage in recent years have faced ever-escalating fees and charges from every airline - sadly, a far cry from the days when League membership enabled you to avoid any such fees. So for once, for those of you who fly Frontier, there is good news! Frontier has removed the flat fee for checked bicycles and will now include them in the standard baggage allowance, meaning customers traveling on Classic or Classic Plus fares can include their bike as one of their two complimentary checked bags and Economy passengers would pay $20 if the bike is one of their first two checked bags. Read more about the rules on bikeleagueblog.org.
FHWA's New Resources  
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently updated the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Transportation Enhancement (TE) resources on fhwa.dot.gov, including the Transportation Enhancements Spending Report for FY 2010.This report analyzes how States use Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds, and is a valuable tool in showing elected officials just what the investment in Transportation Enhancements projects has actually bought.
World News
Moving Planet
Moving Planet is a worldwide rally on September 24 to demand solutions to the climate crisis -- and this year the focus is bicycling. Moving Planet is the brainchild of 350.org and encourages the world's citizens to get moving on that single day, whether it is on bike, on skates, on a board or on foot. Find events in your area, and get you and your friends, family and co-workers moving on a bike.
Health Risks & Benefits of Cycling
Compared to Car Use  
All of the League's programs are based on the premise that bicycling is good for individuals, the community and the nation as a whole - and that we are better off the more people ride bikes. Evidently, the British Medical Association agrees and has documented the health risks and benefits of cycling in urban environments compared with car use. This health impact assessment study reports that the health benefits of cycling outweigh the health risks in an urban environment by a ratio of 77 to one. Read the report, for free, here.
State & Local News
Black Hawk Bicycle Ban Appeal to Supreme Court
In a move to ensure freedom to travel on Colorado roads, Bicycle Colorado has elevated the ongoing Black Hawk bike ban case to the Colorado Supreme Court. The bicycle ban, which the town initiated in 2010, prohibits bicycle travel on most Black Hawk roads and cuts any paved bicycle connection between Central City and the Peak to Peak Highway. The ban also severs an Adventure Cycling route, with the nearest detour increasing the distance by approximately 27 miles. The case escalated to the state Supreme Court following a district court ruling against the three cyclists originally ticketed for riding their bicycles through the town.
Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grants 
Bikes Belong, which provides grants to organizations and agencies within the United States that are "committed to putting more people on bicycles more often," is accepting applications for Community Partnership Grants, which are designed to foster and support partnerships between city or county governments, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses working to improve the environment for bicycling. Grants largely will be used to fund the construction or expansion of bicycle facilities such as bike lanes, trails, and paths. Read more about this grant opportunity.
Boston is Bike Sharing 
Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) Boston, Mass. launched their New Balance Hubway bike share system last month. The Hubway system will feature 61 stations and more than 600 bikes around the city. The system is operated by Alta Bicycle Share of Portland, Ore. Adding bike share to Boston was one part of Mayor Thomas Menino's Boston Bikes program -- a plan to make Boston a premiere cycling city.
Bike Louisville DMV Bike/Ped Banners  
Bike Louisville has managed to get bicycle and pedestrian safety banners at drivers license centers in the city. The banners, located in five driver centers, were paid for with the share the road license plate funding. Visit Bike Louisville to see the campaign.
League News 
Ride for the League in Climate Ride California 
This October you can support the League and have the experience of a lifetime on Climate Ride California 2011. Climate Ride's incredible 5-day bicycle ride in Northern California is made up of teams, and we're recruiting members for our new Team Bike League for this year's ride. If you select Team Bike League as your beneficiary when you register or join our team, we will be the sole recipient of the funds you raise. If you don't want to do the ride, you can donate to  Team Bike League. Learn more about Climate Ride.
Advocacy Advance Announces $100,000 in Grants  
In line with a goal to double federal funding for biking and walking, Advocacy Advance -- a partnership between the League and the Alliance for Biking & Walking -- is awarding $100,000 in direct grants to four advocacy organizations. Using the grants to tap into federal funding streams and build their political influence, recipients will work to triple bicycle mode share in Atlanta, Ga., dramatically improve infrastructure in Pittsburgh, Pa., empower Latino cyclists in Los Angeles, Calif., and create a new model to win state dollars in Delaware. Read more about the winners and Advocacy Advance.
2012 Board Elections  
The 2012 League Board elections are just around the corner, and we want our members (yes you!)to run for the Board of Directors. If you are interested in running, see if you qualify and follow the timeline. For more information, visit bikeleague.org/election or contact Elizabeth Kiker at [email protected].
League Cycling Instructor Seminars       
We have several League Cycling Instructor (LCI) seminars this fall, and they are perfect for League members who wish to make cycling safer and more accessible to others. To qualify, you must be a League member, an experienced and knowledgeable cyclist, and have taken Traffic Skills 101. If you are passionate about cycling and are recognized in your community as a rider with experience and know how, this seminar is for you. The LCI training seminar is normally one evening and two full days. The registration fee includes the League Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling book, Enjoy the Ride DVD and Smart Cycling instructor materials. Sign up today!

Fall seminars
New Brunswick, N.J. 10/7-10/9
Beaverton, Ore. 10/14-10/16
Indianapolis, Ind. 10/21-10/23
Bethlehem, Pa. 10/21-10/23
Club Leadership Webinar Series      
Attention club leaders and volunteers, it's time to diversify your membership and encourage more to join your club and events. Our upcoming Club Leadership webinar Diversifying your Membership on September 7 at 8pm Eastern will teach ways to make your organization and events more welcoming to all. Speakers include: Ellen Jaffe of the New York Cycle Club, a representative of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association, and other soon to be announced panelists. Register now!
Professional Opportunities 
Alta Planning + Design
Alta Planning + Design is seeking an experienced professional to manage their Los Angeles office and projects. Find out more about this opportunity and apply today.
FHWA RFP - Recreational Trails Program Database
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) RFP for non-personal services to develop, operate, and update a searchable Recreational Trails Program (RTP) database has been cancelled. The FHWA plans to reissue a RFP in 2012.

Thanks to our League members for their constant support. You give us the opportunity to publish important communications, like this issue of  American Bicyclist Update If you're not a League member, please consider joining.
The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.
In This Issue
Bikes Fly Free on Frontier
FHWA's New Resources
Moving Planet
Benefits of Cycling
Black Hawk Ban
Bikes Belong Grants
Boston Bike Share
Louisville DMV Banners
Climate Ride Team League
Advocacy Advance Grants
2012 Board Elections
LCI Seminars
Club Leadership Webinar
Jop Opportunity
FHWA RFP Cancelled
alaskabike
pedalers pub and grille
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