September 12, 2011  

Celestron
Greetings!

This week, several staff are making the annual trek to Las Vegas for the Interbike trade show where we will be unveiling the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Businesses and Communities and encouraging folks to attend the National Bike Summit in March. We'll be helping our Bikes Belong colleagues with a Congressional Call-in, saying a few words at the IMBA Advocacy Breakfast ... and we might just find a few minutes to check out the latest stuff on the show floor!

 


Andy Clarke,

League President

National News
Save Cycling! Transportation Funding Update.  
The future of the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program - theI bike. I vote. primary source of funding for bicycling projects and programs for the past 20 years - remains hanging in the balance. A deal struck by the House and Senate late Friday to extend the current transportation programs for six months (a "clean" extension) looks likely to be voted upon this week. Approval of a clean extension preserves the TE program for six months - but does nothing to guarantee the continuation of dedicated funding for bicycling and walking in the next transportation bill.

Now is not the time to sit back. We still expect Senator Coburn (R-OK) to offer an amendment to strip the TE program from the extension and we simply can't afford to let him succeed. The League joins the America Bikes coalition and supporters in asking cyclists to contact their Senators TOMORROW, Tuesday September 13, to send a resounding message opposing Coburn's attack on bike funding.

This will not be the last attack: we can't ignore Rep. Cantor's (R-VA) singling out of the TE program for abolition in the GOP response to President Obama's latest jobs proposal. Not only is funding for bicycling projects and programs a job creation initiative in itself, but an integral part of building a balanced transportation system for the future. Please follow our I Bike. I Vote campaign on Facebook and on the League's Blog, along with including the hashtag #bikevote in your tweets, right through to the National Bike Summit in March.

Please watch and share our I Bike. I Vote. YouTube video describing the weight of this critical situation in Congress.
I bike. I vote.
I bike. I vote.

Rumble Strips -- The Ongoing Battle 
The League has been working on rumble strips for sometime. Last year we wrote a report on rumble strips for advocates. We've been partnering with the Adventure Cycling Association and the Alliance for Biking & Walking to work with state DOTs and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to curb excessive rumble strip use. Adventure Cycling Executive Director Jim Sayer wrote a blog responding to our efforts and FHWA's new guidance on rumble strips. Read his post.
The National Center for Safe Routes to School Mini Grant Winners 
The National Center for Safe Routes to School announced last week the 25 recipients of $1,000 mini-grants for projects designed to encourage safe walking and bicycling to school. The mini-grant activities, many of which are driven by student leadership, will occur during the fall semester of the 2011-2012 school year. Read about the winners and the program here.
World News
Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play 
As most parents know, kids love Nickelodeon and it can be near impossible to unglue them from the tube. However, Nickelodeon is  encouraging kids to shut off their TVs and get out and play on September 24 with their Worldwide Day of Play. The channel will go dark for three hours on that day to drive the point home. Nickelodeon is encouraging communities around the country to organize events, and Nickelodeon will be at the White House for the D.C. event. Bikes Belong and the League were invited to participate and will host a kids bikes course on the lawn. Hopefully we can compete with iCarly! A nice touch, Nickelodeon's marketing materials include kids on bikes floating over the White House.
Moving Planet on September 24 
Moving Planet, the brainchild of 350.org, is a worldwide rally taking place on September 24 to demand solutions to the climate crisis - a single day to move away from fossil fuels. The day is community orientated -- gathering neighbors, friends, family and co-workers to participate together. In addition to the good work that Moving Planet is already doing, they also are using the bicycle as the focal point for this year's campaign. The more people riding bicycles that day in organized events, the more impact the message will carry. If your club or organization would like to host a Moving Planet event, visit movingplanet.org for details and ideas.
State & Local News
Pro-Bicycling News in Major Media Outlets 
Last week while we were just learning of the major attack on bicycle funding in the Transportation Bill, four major media outlets pumped out pro-bicycling news.

Janette Sadik-Khan, New York City's transportation commissioner who was hounded last year by NYC residents who opposed new bicycle infrastructure, is now getting praise ... at least by passers-by and the New York Times Op-Ed column.

The Los Angles Times ran a piece on the city's newest bicycle lane -- and a car lane was given up for this bike lane! The lane is symbolic for LA bike advocates who have been working to reverse the car-centric attitude of its policy makers to make their city more bike friendly.

Bloomberg News hopped on board and published "Budget Standoff May Be Replayed in Fight Over Bicycle Paths."

The Economist included a poignant article pointing to why American cyclists are much more likely to die in a bike crash than a cyclists in Denmark, Germany or the Netherlands.
Delaware Scores First CMAQ Funded Bike Project 
The first bike project in Delaware funded with Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program funds was approved last week by the Wilmington Metropolitation Planning Organization. Every year, Delaware receives approximately $12 million in CMAQ dollars to Delaware, and in the 20-year history of the CMAQ program, the money has never been used for a bike project -- until now. Read more on the CMAQ program. The breakthrough was spearheaded by Bike Delaware with technical assistance from the Advocacy Advance team.
Indianapolis Bike Hub Opening 
Bike Hubs are growing in popularity, and now Indianapolis is upping the stakes. YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and Bicycle Garage Indy (BGI) are inviting the public to its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Indy Bike Hub YMCA -- a bicycle commuter hub and full fitness facility in one. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 am, September 14 at the City Market, 222 E. Market Street (east wing). Tours will be available immediately following the ceremony. Mayor Greg Ballard, City of Indianapolis, will be attending the event.
State and Regional Bike Summits & Other Resources 
The country is dipping into bike summit season. If your state or region has an upcoming bike summit, e-mail Meghan Cahill.

Heartland Active Transportation Summit - Omaha, NE, 9/30-10/1, regional planning agency MAPA, the City of Omaha Planning and Public Works departments, LOCATE and local non-profits we are hosting the first Heartland Active Transportation Summit.

California Bicycle Summit - Los Angeles, CA, 11/5-7, bringing together professional and volunteer bike advocates, club leaders, ride organizers and key allies to set the statewide bicycling agenda for 2012 and beyond.

New Mexico Bike Education Summit - Albuquerque, NM 11/12-13, registration will be listed at bikenm.org in mid-September.
League News 
Action 2020 Training in Tucson 
The League and the Alliance for Biking & Walking are hosting a series of Action 2020 workshops this year that will bring transportation agency staff and advocates together to strategically plan and fund investments in bicycling and walking. This Friday, the Advocacy Advance team will travel to Tucson, Arizona to kick of the series training. Special guests include: U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva, District 7; State Representative Steve Farley, District 28; and Mayor Bob Walkup, City of Tucson.

To sign up for an upcoming training, visit AdvocacyAdvance.org.
League Cycling Instructor Seminars       
If you are an experienced and knowledgeable cyclist with a desire to make cycling safe and accessible for others, you are on the right track. The League seeks to certify those of its members (yes, membership in the League is required) who are self-starters, passionate about cycling and are recognized within their communities as riders with experience and know how. Completion of a Traffic Skills 101 course is a prerequisite for attending a seminar. The LCI training seminar is normally one evening and two full days. The registration fee is $200 and includes the League Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling book, Enjoy the Ride DVD and Smart Cycling instructor materials. Registrants are still needed for the following seminars; please click here to register.

Fall seminars
Albany, NY - 9/30-10/2
Beaverton, OR - 10/14-10/16
Bethlehem, PA 10/21-10/23
Indianapolis, IN 10/21-10/23
Kansas City, MO - 10/21-10/23
Houston, TX 11/11-11/13
Washington, DC - 11/11-11/13
Des Moines, IA - 12/31-1/2
Off the Bike: Banquets, Speaker Series, & Events      
The League's upcoming Club Leadership Webinar -- Off the Bike: Banquets, Speaker Series and Other Social Events -- is the perfect ticket for your club's social or events director. The webinar is on October 5, 2011, at 8pm EST, and will teach you how to hold successful social and educational events off the bike. These events have the potential to enrich your membership experience and draw new members. Ellen Jaffe of the New York Cycle Club, and soon to be announced panelists, will lead this fun and much needed club element. Register today!
Climate Ride - Bike League Team      
Only one month to Climate Ride California! Time is running out, so register soon and benefit the League by joining our team -- you can also donate to the League if you don't want to ride. 
Professional Opportunities 
Cambridge, Mass. Job    
The City of Cambridge has an exciting opportunity for a Sustainability Planner to be part of the city's climate change mitigation and adaptation program. Apply today.

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
Save Cycling!
Rumble Strips
NCSRTS Mini Grants
Day of Play
Moving Planet
Cycling in the News
1st Del. CMAQ Bike/Ped
Indy Bike Hub
Summits & Seminars
Action 2020
LCI Seminars
Off the Bike Webinar
Climate Ride
NOLA Job
team 7-eleven
alaskabike
Backroads
Backroads
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