Greetings!
I've got to admit, we're pretty pleased with the "Bicycling Means Business" theme for the National Bike Summit this year. Of course, we have to make the economic case for investing in bicycling and our numbers and arguments get better every year. And, as you know from our "8 Reasons" series, we're serious about showing up this year even after setbacks last year. We also mean business when it comes to changing the face of our movement. The League's newly-appointed Equity Advisory Council is going to help us blaze that particular trail, and I invite you to meet them during the Summit and the Women's Bicycling Forum. Sincerely,
Andy Clarke
League President
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Join Secretary LaHood and Commissioner Sadik-Khan at the National Bike Summit
Just when you thought the lineup for the National Bike Summit couldn't get more impressive... we're delighted to welcome back Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. LaHood will be making his fifth Summit appearance this year and Sadik-Khan will head up a plenary on the economic benefits of city cycling at the Summit - and the closing keynote at the National Women's Bicycling Forum Read more.
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Join Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (and Many More!) at the National Women's Bicycling Forum
Join advocates, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from across the country at the National Women's Bicycling Forum on March 4 in Washington, D.C. Don't miss the chance to hear from Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) (pictured), NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan; industry trailblazer Georgena Terry and so many others. Learn more and register today!
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League Welcomes New Equity Advisory Council
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Support our Equity Efforts by Contributing to the Cycling Opportunity Grant Fund
As we move forward with the introduction of the Equity Advisory Council, we want to ensure that our biggest event of the year -- the National Bike Summit -- is as diverse and accessible as possible. We've set up a campaign on Razoo to help raise funds for our new Cycling Opportunity Grants. All funding raised in the campaign will be awarded as Summit registration scholarships to folks who would otherwise be unable to attend. Please help us in reaching our goal and contribute today!
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Gearing Up to Meet New Leaders on Capitol Hill
There are plenty of new faces on Capitol Hill this year, and the National Bike Summit is the perfect opportunity to introduce them to the benefits of bicycling. The League's Caron Whitaker, Vice President of Government Relations, discusses in this video why attending the Summit this March is so important in setting the tone, meeting new leaders and supporting our champions in the 113th Congress.
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Work for the League: Director of Development
The League is looking for an ambitious Director of Development to lead the organization's long-term fundraising program. We're looking for an experienced professional with proven success in building a major donor program and experience in all areas of fundraising. Click here for more information -- or send your resume and cover letter directly to Andy Clarke.
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Next Women Bike Webinar: The Economic Impact of Women Bicyclists
Though underrepresented in many aspects of the bicycle movement, there's growing evidence that women hold the purse strings when it comes to the future success of the bike industry. Join us for our next Women Bike webinar on February 27 at 2 p.m. Eastern, as we explore the results of the American Bicyclist Study with authors Elliot Gluskin and Jay Townley -- and understand the tremendous economic impact of women on the current, and more importantly, the future of the bicycle movement. Register today!
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Webinar: Bicycle Friendly America Local Reviewer Training
Bicyclists and advocates play an important role in the Bicycle Friendly America program. It would be nearly impossible for program staff to visit each community, university or business that has applied for an award, so we rely on you for critical local perspective. If you are interested in becoming or currently are local reviewer, please tune in for an information webinar on Wednesday, February 20, at 3 pm EST. Click here to register for the webinar.
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Federal, State & Local Advocacy |
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'Find It, Fund It' With the New Advocacy Advance Chart
Are you looking for public funding for a bicycle project in your community? The Find It, Fund It chart shows you the federal funding sources for which your project is eligible -- and it's probably more than you think! The table has been updated for the new transportation law, MAP-21. And look out for an interactive version coming soon.
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Bike Law University: Summary of Safe Passing Laws
We recently announced our new focus on bike laws and debuted an interactive map, highlighting key traffic laws that effect bicyclists. Now, we're digging deeper into the specifics. As part of our 'Bike Law University' series, this month we delved into the issue of state safe-passing laws. Click here to read more and see how your state stacks up.
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A Peach of an Idea: Georgia Bikes Offers Scholarships to National Bike Summit
Bike advocates in Georgia decided to get creative this year: They used a chunk of their budget to provide scholarships to the National Bike Summit -- with funding from Share the Road license plates. The
scholarships ensured new and important voices are heard in Washington, D.C., prioritizing folks who are active in bike advocacy; diverse in background and experience; and hail from Georgia districts that are underrepresented at the Summit. Read more.
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Upcoming State and Local Bike Summits
It's that time of year: Things are about to heat up in the state legislature and advocates are gearing up to ensure that bicyclists have a voice in policy-making at all levels. Don't miss a state or local bike summit in your area:
Are you attending or organizing a bike summit in your city or state? Email [email protected] so we can include your event in upcoming blogs and E-news!
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Register for Climate Ride; Benefit the League! How can you enjoy the experience of a lifetime while supporting the League? Sign up for Climate Ride! The Climate Ride is the nation's largest environmental cycling event and "green conference on wheels," promoting awareness about and action to address climate change. Sign up for the next ride -- May 19-23 down the gorgeous California coast -- and make the League one of your fundraising beneficiaries! Learn more.
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America Bikes Coalition Asks Obama to Consider Bicyclists in DOT Secretary Nominee
Dear Mr. President, please continue Ray LaHood's legacy. That's what the America Bikes coalition is urging President Barack Obama as he wades through choices for the next Secretary of Transportation. Read the full letter here, and be sure to hear Secretary LaHood speak at the National Bike Summit in March!
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Alliance Hosts Advocacy Awards Reception at the National Bike Summit
The Alliance for Biking & Walking will hold its 2013 Advocacy Awards Reception on March 4 at RFD in Washington, D.C. on the first night of the National Bike Summit. The awards program, launched in 2009, recognizes organizations that have shown excellence in the bicycle and pedestrian movement. Click here to learn more.
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Make the White House a Bicycle Friendly Business!
Recently, President Barack Obama said his new Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, " probably isn't allowed" to continue commuting to work on his bike. With your help, we've collected dozens of great reasons to #letdenisride. But with a health-conscious Commander in Chief in the Oval Office, we couldn't help but dream of the day that President Obama adds a BFB award next to that Nobel Peace prize. Check out some of those reasons (like the easily accessible bike racks pictured) here.
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Unearthing a Piece of (League) Family History
Brian McEntee, a Washington, D.C.-based bike commuter and blogger, late last year dug up his great-grandfather's League of American Wheelmen membership certificate, which was issued in 1895. McEntee found the century-old document, which bears the League's former namesake, stashed away in his parent's home amid family trees, funeral holy cards and cemetery plot deeds. "Prior to starting bike commuting, I hadn't really ridden a bike since childhood," he said.
"In many ways, I find it somehow fitting that the rediscovery of the certificate parallels my own rediscovery of bicycling." Read more.
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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.
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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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