November 19, 2012
Greetings!

The recent election results may not have altered the balance of power in Washington, but they did reinforce the importance of making the case for bicycling -- showing that Bicycling Means Business -- at every opportunity. Whether it's cementing the role of cycling in an emerging urban agenda, or strengthening our voice in more rural and suburban communities, we still have a big job to do in Congress, and at the state and local level. Help us make the case more effectively by submitting your session proposals for the National Bike Summit, registering for the event, and continuing your support of League and our programs. We really appreciate it!

Sincerely,  

 


Andy Clarke

League President
National News 
What Does the Election Mean for Bicycling?

 

The parlor games began before all the votes were even counted. Who will be the U.S. Secretary of Transportation in President Barack Obama's second term? Will leadership of Congressional committees that decide the fate of bicycling change hands -- and who will be the pivotal power brokers? What will these elections mean for transportation and for bicycling and walking specifically? Well, here's some of what we're hearing about key officials and leadership at the federal level. Read more.   

 

National Events  

Call for Proposals: Present at the National Bike Summit    

We need your knowledge and expertise to show Congress and the nation that Bicycling Means Business. We're looking for the very best speakers to present their insight and expertise at the 2013 National Bike Summit. This year we're looking for presentations on the following themes: 
  • Making the economic case for bicycling
  • MAP-21 Implementation: Lessons learned
  • Making cycling relevant in rural, small town and suburban communities
  • Developing an effective strategy for the NEXT transportation bill 
We're also accepting proposals for sessions at the Women Mean Business event, hosted by the League's new Women Bike program, on March 4 - immediately preceding the start of the Summit. Click here to learn more and submit your idea.        

Bike Shop Owners and Key Staff: Apply for a Summit Scholarship from NBDA      

 

The National Bicycle Dealers Association is generously providing 25 dealers a chance to tell Congress that bicycling means business at the 2013 National Bike Summit. Dealers who are members of NBDA and first-time Summit attendees are invited to fill out a short application to be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship to attend the 2013 Summit. Both bike shop owners and key staff are eligible to apply. Click here to apply

Registration Open: New Partners for Smart Growth    

 

From bike sharing to complete streets, transportation is a key aspect of smart growth -- and the annual New Partners conference brings together hundreds of planners, elected officials and professionals who want to build better communities. This year's event will be held Feb. 7-9, 2013, in Kansas City, Missouri: Click here to learn more and register.

League News  
New Staff: League Welcomes Caron Whitaker 

The League is excited to announce that Caron Whitaker has accepted a position as Vice President of Government Relations. Whitaker has a tremendous track record of effective legislative work on Capitol Hill and at the state level, most recently as campaign manager for America Bikes. In that role, Whitaker has developed tremendous contacts and a huge amount of respect on Capitol Hill, as well as a great relationships with state and local bicycle advocacy leaders. Whitaker will continue the League's critical role representing as the voice of cyclists in Washington D.C., with an extra emphasis on connecting the federal legislation to our members, affiliates and partner groups at the state and local level.

Job Opening: League Seeks Communications Manager

 

League Logo and Link

The League is seeking a Communications Manager to implement the League's communications strategy and create and manage content for print and Web. The position will manage web publishing (including writing and editing blog posts), social media, brand management, and promotional materials. This person will also work on the bi-monthly League magazine, and will lead media and public relations. Read more.
Become a League Coach!

 

The dates are chosen, the place is picked: All that's missing is you! The League is creating six new coaches (here's our current list) to train League Cycling Instructors. The special Coach Training will take place in Houston, Texas on January 24-27, 2013. The price is a bargain at $1,000 per coach, which includes two webinars (Dec. 3 and Dec. 14), a full day of training, and leading an LCI seminar while being trained by an experienced coach. For more information, contact Alissa Simcox at [email protected] or call 202-822-1333. Sign up today!

Club Leadership Webinar: Insurance Review

 

Join us for our next Club Leadership webinar -- our annual insurance review -- on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern. We need your feedback on the 2012 insurance program as we build the 2013 package. Register here.

 

New Resources 
How Big Cities Can Win Funding For Bike Projects
 
The new federal transportation law puts far more power in the hands of state departments of transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations -- or MPOs. So how can advocates and officials work together to ensure biking and walking are integrated into the funding process? Working with MPO staff who are leading the way in bike/ped planning and funding, Advocacy Advance put together a short new report highlighting best practices for MPOs. Read more.
Navigating MAP-21: Webinar on Guidance
 
After Congress passes a transportation bill, it's up to the U.S. Department of Transportation to figure out how the law should be interpreted -- and release "guidance" for your state department of transportation to follow. Join us on November 28 at 2 p.m. Eastern for our next Navigating MAP-21 webinar to learn the importance of the recently released guidance, as well as the good and bad news for bicyclists. Register here.
More AASHTO Bike Guide Trainings

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.     

 

State and Local News
Recycle-A-Bicycle Provides Bike Relief in NYC

Perhaps, the one bright spot in the devastation of Hurricane Sandy was the sight of so many bicycles providing mobility options to hard hit New York City. With the Subway flooded, long lines for gas and gridlock on the streets, residents of the Big Apple turned to two wheels to start piecing their lives back together. Recycle-A-Bicycle, a community bike shop and youth training center with locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, wasn't immune to the destruction. The organization's warehouse and job training center was inundated with three feet of water and the building was further damaged by an electrical fire. But, in the immediate aftermath of the storm, the advocates at RAB looked beyond their front doors first, using bicycles to provide relief to their neighbors. Read more
Remembering Ellen Fletcher, 1928-2012

 

It is with a heavy heart that we note the passing of a true bicycle advocacy leader: Ellen Fletcher. "Ellen was a board member of the League from 1984 to 1990 -- and I had the pleasure of working with her then when I was first on staff," remembers League President, Andy Clarke. "She was recognized with the League's Paul Dudley White award in 1996 and we also honored her at our education conference in San Jose a couple of years back. She valiantly made her own way from Palo Alto by bike and train to attend. Ellen was a tireless advocate in the Bay area, and served on the Palo Alto city council for many years in the 70s and 80s." Read more about Ellen's inspiring life and legacy
What's a Georgia-lina? Recap from a Bi-state Bike Summit

Statewide advocacy organizations Georgia Bikes and Palmetto Cycling Coalition  in South Carolina decided to go in on a joint summit this year, extending the bike-friendliness across borders. The Summit was full of presentations and speeches from advocacy organizations, club leaders, businesses and local politicians about the importance of cycling and how to make biking better in the South. League intern, Hamzat Sani, attended and provided this recap.

 



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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Header photo credits from left: John Luton, Richard Masoner, Nona Varnado, Allan Crawford
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