September 24, 2012
Greetings!

One week from now, the new federal transportation bill (MAP-21) will go into effect. Our Navigating Map-21 campaign has provided a wealth of tools and resources to prepare you for this new day, but don't worry: we aren't going to abandon this effort for the next two years! This is just phase one of a broader MAP-21 campaign. Phase two will take us through the 2013 National Bike Summit (March 4-7), where we invite you to help shape our agenda and strategy for the next transportation bill. In fact, you may be able to attend the Bike Summit for free -- keep reading!

Sincerely,  

 


Andy Clarke

League President

League News 
League Launches Women Bike Program
 

In 2009, women took just 24 percent of bicycle trips in the United States -- and it's easy to see why. In communities across the nation, women are underrepresented in all aspects of the bicycle movement -- from retail to politics, from advocacy to engineering. It's time to encourage, engage and elevate more women bicyclists in the U.S. This month, at the National Women's Bicycling Summit, the League launched a new initiative: Women Bike. Read more

BFC Program Moves Beyond Platinum
 
Bicycling is racing into the mainstream in many American communities and it's time for the U.S. to shine on the international stage. To guide and support the rapid progress in top bike-friendly cities, the League has added a new challenge and opportunity for Bicycle Friendly Communities: Diamond status. "If it sounds like we are moving the goalposts, it's because we are," says Andy Clarke, League President. "Communities are doing so much more, and the state of the practice in innovative infrastructure and programs has developed so rapidly in recent years, that it really is time to challenge communities to do even more to make biking better." Read more
Long Beach Mayor Honored with Bicycle Friendly America Leadership Award
 

Bicycle friendly communities don't start with bike lanes or share the road campaigns or cycling education; they start with a visionary leader. This month, the League recognized Mayor Bob Foster with the first-ever Bicycle Friendly America Leadership Award for his dedication and vision to transform Long Beach into one of the nation's top cycling cities. Read more

THANK YOU for Voting: League Wins $10,000!

 

We asked and you responded! In just two days, more than 1,300 supporters helped the League earn a $10,000 grant from the Chase Community Giving program this month. Those dollars will help expand the Bicycle Friendly America program, specifically funding outreach to rural and suburban communities across the nation. Thank you for your support!

Next Club Webinar: Group Rides

 

Join the League for our next Club Leadership webinar on Group Rides on Tuesday, Oct 2, at 8 p.m. EASTERN. Our panel of ride leaders will discuss all aspects of a successful ride program, including planning and scheduling, communication, ride leader recruitment and training, and pace and safety issues. This webinar is sponsored by BikeStoreGuys.com. Register here!  

Final Week: Be Part of the League's Annual Ride Guide! 

 

Whether it's a single day or a full year, whether its 10 miles or 1,000, one ride can change your life. And we want to hear about it! We're putting together our most popular magazine of the year -- The Ride Guide & Tour Finder -- and we need your input.  

  • If you're a League member club or advocacy organization: We want to include your top ride for 2013 in our national list. Please enter ONE ride into our registration system here by September 28.  
  • If you're an individual League member: Tell us about your favorite ride! Submit 100 words describing the most memorable ride of your life and we'll include them in the issue! Email your submission to [email protected] by September 28.
National News  
Attend the National Bike Summit -- For Free!
 
Bicycling means business -- and the National Bicycle Dealers Association is giving 25 dealers a chance to tell Congress this in person at the National Bike Summit, held March 4-7, 2013. Dealers who are members of NBDA and first-time attendees of the National Bike Summit are invited to fill out a quick online questionnaire to be entered to win one of 25 $1,000 sponsorships to attend the 2013 Summit. Read more.  
National Organizations Urge DOT for Effective Guidance on MAP-21

The League was just one of 49 national organizations to sign on to a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, last week, urging the agency to issue guidance on the new federal transportation law that ensures the Transportation Alternatives program "provides local governments full and timely access to federal transportation funds for projects previously funded through Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program." Read the full letter.

National Events  

National Women's Bicycling Summit a HUGE Success! 

 

Nearly 300 people packed the first-ever National Women's Bicycling Summit in Long Beach this month, showcasing the incredible energy and interest in closing the gender gap in American bicycling. Watch the Streetfilm about the event below and stay tuned to the Bike League Blog for other videos, recaps and resources in coming days!

 

 

Register for Climate Ride 2013! 

 

Imagine pedaling through dense stands of towering redwoods; cruising along a dramatic, rocky coastline; stopping next to lush vineyards and taking a sun-drenched ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. It's not a dream. It's not a luxury vacation. It's the Climate Ride - a 320-mile bicycle adventure that raised $250,000 for nonprofits like the League in 2012. Registration for the 2013 rides in California and NYC-DC are now open. Learn more and register.  

 
New Resources 
Navigating MAP-21 Webinar: Eligibility

States have a lot of flexibility in how they spend their funds under the new federal transportation bill MAP-21. Bicycling and walking projects can be built using funds intended for safety, congestion mitigation and air quality, and general transportation purposes. Join us for the next webinar in our Navigating MAP-21 series: "Maximizing Eligibility for Bicycling and Walking Projects" on Wednesday, September 26, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Register now.

Register for an AASHTO Bike Guide Training

This spring, AASHTO released its updated Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities and the League has teamed up with Toole Design Group, the Federal Highway Administration, and AASHTO to deliver trainings across the country. Taught by professionals from Toole the training will give local practitioners the knowledge they need to implement innovative design solutions, and new signs, signals and pavement markings for bicyclists. Registration is open for two of the 12 trainings. Sign up now for:

Trainings cost $160 and are open to all interested engineers, planners, advocates and professionals.   

Finding Funding for Safe Routes Webinar

 

There are many ways to fund community and state-wide Safe Routes to School programs. Learn how to sustain your program, and about the new funding opportunities in MAP-21, on the "Show Me the Money: Finding Local Funding Sources for Safe Routes to School" hosted by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership on Thursday, October 4, at 2 p.m. Eastern. Register now! 

Grants Available for Bike Sharing Systems

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting communities to apply for technical assistance to foster sustainable growth in their area. The Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program offers tools that can be applied in rural, suburban, and urban areas, including bike share systems. Learn more and apply by October 26.  

 

State and Local News
Georgia Adopts Landmark Complete Streets Policy

Last week, the Georgia Department of Transportation adopted a statewide Complete Streets policy. It's the first in the country to reference the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide as a prominent reference for engineers. The policy was born when, at the 2012 Ride to the Capitol (pictured above), a GDOT official wondered why advocates were chanting "Complete the Streets!" Georgia Bikes! and and the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition pointed out it was because GDOT didn't have a policy, and the rest is history. Read more from Georgia Bikes!  

Host a Navigating MAP-21 Workshop in your Community
 
Applications are now available to host a Navigating MAP-21 Workshop in your community. Advocacy Advance has facilitated federal funding trainings for more than 500 participants around the country since 2011. These workshops are designed to provide the knowledge, skills and resources to access untapped or under-utilized federal funding sources at the state, regional and local level to build bicycling and walking infrastructure and programs. Read more and apply by October 26. 
First State Bike Summit for North Carolina!
 
League President, Andy Clarke, will join advocates, planners and government officials at the first North Carolina Bike Summit, Oct 12-13 in Raleigh. Speakers and workshops will offer opportunities to network and learn about local and regional initiatives. Read more and register.   



Share this American Bicyclist Update with your cycling friends and fellow bike commuters. The generous support from the League's members make publications like this possible. Join the League today.

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.
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