We have enjoyed bringing you the latest bicycling news this year. This American Bicyclist Update marks our last of 2011, and our office will be quiet the week of December 25-January 2. We hope you have a wonderful and restful holiday season. We will be raring to go again in 2012 an we're looking forward to the National Bike Summit, National Bike Month, educating new and returning bicyclists nationwide and well, saving cycling again and again. Your calls and e-mails to elected officials have been essential over the past year; your donation will help us do even more next year. Please make a donation today; and if you're not a member, join.  

 

Andy Clarke,

 

League President

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced last week that 46 transportation projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico will receive a total of $511 million from the third round of the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) TIGER program. Infrastructure projects include road and bridge improvements; transit upgrades; and new options for bicyclists and pedestrians. Chicago, Ill. is receiving $20 million toward their Blue Line renewal and City Bike Share. Read more about the program and the winning projects.

The National Transportation Safety Board has called for the first nationwide ban on driver use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) while operating a motor vehicle. The safety recommendation calls for all 50 states and the District of Columbia to ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices (other than those designed to support the driving task) for all drivers. According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents. Unfortunately, the AP is reporting that states will not heed recommendation. Read more on distracted driving.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed a federal transportation authorization bill that includes a measure for the safe accommodation of all users in federally-funded street projects. Alaska Senator Mark Begich offered the amendment that established this measure and accepted an amendment from Senator John Thune of South Dakota. The Committee voted unanimously in favor of the measure. The amendments modified S. 1950, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act, which is one of the Commerce Committee's contributions to the overall reauthorization package. Read more.

The European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) recently released a study that quantified emissions savings of cycling compared with other modes of transport. According to the study, if EU citizens were to cycle as much as the Danes in 2000, (an average of 2.6km a day), it would help the EU meet more than a quarter of the targeted emission reductions for the transport sector. Read more. Infographics here.

Bloomington, Ind. -- a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) -- has released the final report of the Bloomington Platinum Biking Task Force. The report, Breaking Away: Journey to Platinum, details a plan to achieve a platinum BFC designation by 2016. It was adopted by Bloomington Common Council on November 30, 2011, following more than a year of work by the Task Force and city staff.

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.