October 22, 2012
Greetings!
 
Last week, I had the honor of presenting the new Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community designation to advocates, elected officials and city staff in Los Angeles. Each new round of BFC awards is exciting, but our fall round was big. There's certainly plenty of work still to be done in communities like LA and Miami, but I'm excited about the progress of these iconic American cities and we're eager to help them continue to climb the BFC ranks. Speaking of world-class bike cities, I'm also excited that the new book from John Pucher and Ralph Buehler -- City Cycling -- is now in print! Keep reading for more...

Sincerely,  

 


Andy Clarke

League President

National News 
New Bicycle Friendly Communities Announced
Three of the nation's largest cities joined the ranks of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) last week. Showcasing the progress and potential of major U.S. cities to make bicycling safe and accessible for millions of Americans, Los Angeles (Calif.), Nashville (Tenn.), and Miami (Fla.) are among the 28 new cities to attain BFC status. "This latest round of BFC awards proves yet again that any city -- regardless of size or geography -- can take cost-effective steps to increase bicycling in their community," said League President Andy Clarke. Read the full release.  
Pedal Your Company to Health in 2013

How can you reduce healthcare costs, boost employee morale AND create an exciting work environment? In 2012, more than 8,000 workplaces found out: They participated in the National Bike Challenge. Don't miss out on the fun -- and fitness -- in 2013! The 2013 Challenge will run from May 1 to September 30 and promises to be even bigger. Make sure YOUR company is part of this growing movement to Get Up and Ride! Ready to learn more? Email [email protected].

National Events  

Save $50: Register for the 2013 National Bike Summit    

The clock is ticking... and the fight for the future of bicycling is on. The 2013 National Bike Summit is going to be a big one. The clock on the new federal transportation law started ticking on October 1. When we meet  at the 2013 Summit, it will be just one year until lawmakers start voting on the next bill. You'll play an active role in shaping the bicycling agenda -- and you'll be an integral part of developing a Congressional strategy that shows we mean business. And, if you register soon, you can rest assured you've made a good business decision: The first 100 registrants will get an extra $50 off of the early-bird rate with the promo code "50BUCKS." Learn more and register today

Calling all Bike Shops: Come to the Summit for Free! 

 

The National Bike Summit is the premiere advocacy event of the year -- and this year's theme is Bicycling Means Business. The National Bicycle Dealers Association understands the close relationship between federal funding and the success of bicycle retailers. That's why they're offering 24 scholarships to first-time Summit attendees who work at bike shops. Not only will this scholarship pay for your registration for the 2013 Summit, but it will also fund your travel and lodging, too. Read more and apply !   

 

League News  
We Need to Hear From You: 2012 Membership Survey!

 

League Logo and Link 2013 is just around the corner and we're committed to making it the best yet for the League and bicyclists nationwide. So we need to hear from you! If you're a League member, please take a few minutes to take our 2012 member survey. Your input is critical as we plan for next year AND, by taking the survey (and leaving your contact information), you'll be eligible to win $150 from the League. Questions? E-mail Scott Williams, director of membership, at [email protected]. Take the survey now! 

League to Launch First LCI Coach Training
 
Gail Copus Spann
is an LCI Coach
The demand for bicycle education is growing rapidly and, across the country, there are more than 3,700 League Cycling Instructors with the classroom knowledge and street skills to get folks riding safely and confidently. But, while we have thousands of LCIs nationwide, we only have 17 LCI Coaches -- an elite group of experts in bicycling instruction who lead LCI seminars. With more and more seminars being scheduled each year, there's a need for more people to instruct them. That's why we're so excited to announce our first Coaches Training scheduled for early 2013 in Houston, Texas. Read more
Attend an AASHTO Bike Guide Training

Ever wonder how your local engineers determine how wide to make your bike lane? They turn to AASHTO's recently updated Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. That's why the League has teamed up with Toole Design Group, the Federal Highway Administration, and AASHTO to deliver in-depth trainings about the updated Guide. Register for a training in your area:

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

Club Leadership Webinar: Small Group Roundtable

 

Join us for our next Club Leadership webinar -- a Small Group Roundtable -- on Tuesday, Nov 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern. We'll spend the evening with leaders of clubs of 100 or fewer members, discussing diverse approaches, common challenges and lessons learned. Learn more and register.

 

New Resources 
Apply to Host a Navigating MAP-21 Workshop

There's just a few days left to apply to host an Advocacy Advance Navigating MAP-21 Workshop in your community in 2013. These workshops 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. Applications are due October 26th. Learn more and apply to bring this tremendous resource to your region.
City Cycling Now In Print

It's out! From John Pucher and Ralph Buehler, City Cycling offers a guide to the urban cycling renaissance. It reports on cycling trends and policies in cities in North America, Europe, and Australia, and offers information on such topics as cycling safety, cycling infrastructure provisions including bikeways and bike parking, the wide range of bike designs and bike equipment, integration of cycling with public transportation, and promoting cycling for women and children. Read more and get your copy here.
Where Are American's Biking to Work?

Governing magazine answered that question last week with an innovative map, highlighting cities where the number of bike commuters is booming. "More than 5 percent of working adults reported biking to work in at least sixteen cities surveyed with populations exceeding 65,000," Governing notes. (The article also points to the League's new infographic showcasing the dramatic growth of bike commuting in Bicycle Friendly Communities.) Read more.

State and Local News
Open Streets Engage Thousands in LA and Atlanta

 

For just a few hours this month, streets were liberated from automobiles in Los Angeles and Atlanta - and thousands of residents flooded into their reclaimed public space. With the roads closed to cars, more than 100,000 Angelenos and 20,000 Atlantans took advantage by biking, walking and celebrating community in a variety of creative and active ways. Both initiated in 2010, CicLAvia and Atlanta Streets Alive are just two of the growing number of open streets events nationwide. Read more

Do You Know Where Your Candidates Stand on Biking?

Thanks to an Advocacy Advance Rapid Response Grant, advocates at Bike Delaware are going to find out. As you may have read in our Election Guide released last month, Bike Delaware conducted a survey of state legislative candidates in 2010 that launched its successful Walkable, Bikeable Delaware campaign. With election day less than a month away, advocates want to ensure that voters know where candidates stand on continuing that model progress when they go to the polls. Read more



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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