October 8, 2012
Greetings!

You can imagine the thrill of getting a check for $35,000! Kimberly-Clark's generous support for the League's work makes a huge difference, so I was delighted to travel to Wisconsin this month and meet some of the 900+ K-C riders who "contributed" as part of the National Bike Challenge. We learned how the Challenge grew in just a couple of years from a whiteboard in Rob Gusky's cubicle to a national event. Keep reading for more on our trip (and a picture of K-C's incredible support)!

Sincerely,  

 


Andy Clarke

League President

National News 
New Federal Transportation Law Takes Effect


After years of advocacy and months of preparation, the new federal transportation bill went into effect last week. But our journey in Navigating MAP-21 is far from over. Over coming weeks and months, we'll continue to provide the analysis, resources and technical assistance local and state advocates need to ensure continued funding for biking and walking projects in your community. Click here to watch the video of our latest webinar, and access a wealth of additional resources at www.AdvocacyAdvance.org/MAP21.   

Thousands Participate in Walk to School Day
 
 
Walk to School Day in Takoma Park, MD
Last week, more than 3,300 U.S. schools participated in International Walk to School Day, an effort to encourage more families to get out of their cars and on to their feet to enjoy the many benefits of safely walking or  bicycling to school. "Every child should have the opportunity to walk to school safely," said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Pocari at an event in Takoma Park, Md. "Walk to School Day encourages children to experience walk-friendly environments and affirms the importance of walking and biking for a new generation of Americans." Read more.

National Events  

National Bike Challenge Logs $35,000 for the League    

Thanks to the generosity of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the League received a $35,000 donation courtesy of the National Bike Challenge last month. At the start of the Challenge, K-C pledged to donate 10 cents to the League for every mile logged -- and this summer more than 30,000 bicyclists showed their support by participating in the online competition. Thank you to Kimberly-Clark for their vision and commitment to cycling -- and to all the Challenge participants!

Registration Open for 2013 National Bike Summit   

 

Summit logo smaller 2013 Just because the new federal transportation bill is in effect doesn't mean our work on Capitol Hill is done. The coming months will be critical for the future of bicycling. Make your voice heard: Register now for the 2013 National Bike Summit!  

 

At the 2013 Summit, we'll make sure you understand exactly what's in MAP-21, how it works, and what Congress needs to know about the way it's being implemented in your community. But, we'll also look down the road, beyond MAP-21, too. With the next bill less than two years away, the Summit will be an opportunity to define our vision for the next transportation bill and build our political strength in key Congressional districts and states. Register now.  

Missed the Women's Bicycling Summit? Read More! 

The first-ever National Women's Bicycling Summit last month was a huge success, with more than 275 participants sharing ideas and efforts aimed at closing the gender gap in American bicycling. If you weren't able to make it to Long Beach for the event, read some of the session recaps and key ideas discussed:   

... And stay tuned to the Bike League Blog for more!  

 

League News  
Rob Gusky Receives BFA Leadership Award
 
The 2012 National Bike Challenge was a collective journey of more than 12 million miles -- and it all started with one man's vision at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. The League was pleased to honor K-C employee Rob Gusky with the second Bicycle Friendly America Leadership Award for his role in the creation and success of the National Bike Challenge, which engaged more than 30,000 bicyclists across the country this summer. Read more
New Date Announced for AASHTO Bike Guide Trainings

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. Registration is now open for three of the 12 trainings:  

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

Latest Issue of American Bicyclist Now Online

 

The Sept-Oct issue of the League's magazine, American Bicyclist, is now online. Read about the Green Lane Project and our new Beyond Platinum initiative; learn more about the Local Spokes campaign in New York City; get informed about new insurance options and more! Click here to read the full issue.

 

New Resources 
New Bike Commuting Data Released

The release of the 2011 American Community Survey data on commuting behavior provides further evidence that communities that make investments in bicycling -- through engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation -- attract more bicycle commuters than other communities. Since 2000, bicycle commuting rates in large League-designated Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) increased 80 percent, while rates in non-BFCs grew only 32 percent (lower than the U.S. average of 47 percent). Click here to download the new data.
Input Needed: Survey on Bike/Ped Counts

The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) is working to create a practical guidebook on collecting, using and managing pedestrian and bicycle counts -- and they need your input. If your organizations conducts or wants to conduct pedestrian and bicycle counts, please provide your input in this quick online survey. Questions? Contact Paul Ryus at Kittelson & Associates: [email protected].
Briefing Sheets for Safe Routes to School

The National Center for Safe Routes to School and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) have created a series of nine instructional briefing sheets for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program planning and implementation. Topics include school site selection, walking & biking audits, traffic control and more. Read more.

State and Local News
NYC Launches First Bicycle Friendly Business District

 

Last month, Congressmember Nydia M. Vel�zquez joined Transportation Alternatives to announce New York City's first Bike Friendly Business District. Located in the East Village and Lower East Side, the new BFBD  includes more than 150 businesses, cultural groups and community organizations committed to encouraging safe bicycling in their district. A week after the launch, TA also released a new study showing that people who walk, bike and take transit to the East Village are local retailers' best customers. Read more

California Governor Prioritizes Legal Speculation Over Bike Safety

After a model campaign by the California Bicycle Coalition (CBC), Governor Jerry Brown has again vetoed a three-foot safe passing law in the Golden State. Advocates and legislators had crafted a revised bill to address the Governor's previous concerns, but Brown still wasn't satisfied. Requiring motor vehicles to cross a solid double-yellow centerline to give a safe passing distance, he said, could open to state to liability if the driver is injured. Read more from the CBC.  
City of Boston Hosts First Women's Bicycling Workshop
 
Late last month, Boston Bikes kicked off its new Women and Family Cycling Initiative with two successful Women's Bicycling Workshops. Nearly a dozen women from different biking backgrounds attended the first event: a beginning commuter workshop with an instructional on-path and off-path group ride. Watch the video below to hear more from Sam Herr, the program director, and read more on the Boston Bikes blog.
 


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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