april 8, 2013
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) with a delegation of Iowa advocates
at the 2013 National Bike Summit (Credit Brian Palmer) 
Greetings! 

Sixty-nine members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, signed onto a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking for a national goal to reduce bicyclist fatalities: That's nearly four times the number that signed a similar letter last fall. Not only that, but now there is a similar Senate letter -- again bi-partisan -- circulating on the Hill. Why the sudden change? Because at the National Bike Summit our message was better, we asked in person, and we asked in unison. We are going to keep that momentum going into National Bike Month -- the perfect time to ask your members of Congress to join you on the road or trail.

  

Sincerely,  

 


Andy Clarke
League President
 
 league news 
lobby day Impact: 69 key signatures to reduce bike deaths
Thanks in part to the Lobby Day efforts of hundreds of National Bike Summit participants, 69 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to set a national goal to reduce bicyclist deaths. The bi-partisan letter was signed by one-third of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and represents members from 26 states and the District of Columbia.  Read more on the letter's impact here. (Photo: Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) speaks at the National Bike Summit's Congressional Reception. Credit: Brian Palmer).
bike month promotional materials available!

We're just three weeks out from National Bike Month and excited to debut our posters for May 2013. This year, with the tagline "Where will the ride take you?" we're showcasing the many ways bikes benefit our lives and our communities. Whether you ride to work at a construction site, pedal your kids to school or cruise on two wheels to meet up with friends, we're celebrating you this May. Download promotional materials to help you spread the word about your events here!

women bike to award $5,000 in mini-grants
In celebration of the launch of the Women Bike program, the League is awarding $5,000 in mini-grants. We know that it often takes a modest amount of funding to get the wheels turning on a big idea -- and the goal of our new Growth Fund is to seed, support and spread campaigns and ideas that are getting more women on bikes. Learn more about the program here.
Share your efforts in our women & equity survey

The League wants your help in advancing equity and women's participation in bike advocacy. We've recently launched the Women Bike program and developing an Equity Initiative to start institutionalizing some real change. Both initiatives are off to a great start -- and now its time to make sure we keep the momentum going by highlighting the work you've done and are doing around equity and women in biking. Help us by sharing your stories in this brief online survey by April 12.

League welcomes jakob wolf-barnett 
The League is excited to announce the arrival of a new member of our staff: Jakob Wolf-Barnett. Jakob is our new Chief Operating Officer, and he brings years of experience in the biking industry to the League. What's Jakob's story? Learn more here, and be sure to welcome Jakob to the team!
League seeks director of development

The League is seeking an ambitious Director of Development to lead the organization's development plan, with a strong emphasis on major donor development. Check out the full job posting here and send your cover letter and resume to Jakob Wolf-Barnett at [email protected].

 
 advocacy
US DOT announces bike safety summits

At the National Bike Summit last month, Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation would focus on bike safety by holding two Bike Safety Summits in Tampa, Fla., and Minneapolis, Minn. Last week, LaHood released the dates for the Summits, which will take place later this month. Read more about these safety summits -- and what the League hopes will come out of them -- here! (Photo: Secretary Ray LaHood speaks at the 2013 National Bike Summit. Credit: Brian Palmer)

Georgia Advocates host in-district 'show me' event

Congratulations to the Griffin Bicycle Coalition and Georgia Bikes! for a successful 'Show me event.' At the National Bike Summit, the League encouraged advocates to urge their lawmakers to visit a bicycle project or event to see the positive effects of bicycling in their communities. How did the Georgia advocates get their member's staff out riding? Read more here.

tulsa advocates: fix our streets now!

The City of Tulsa has been rebuilding its streets under a capital improvements program called "Fix Our Streets" since 2008. The program is coming up for a 5-year renewal this year, and local advocates are working hard to make sure that the proposed $800 million in road improvements include high-quality facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians. League staff members recently visited Tulsa to learn more about their efforts.

upcoming local and state bike summits

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 E-news! 

 
 resources
Bike Law University: Vulnerable Road User Laws

The "Vulnerable Road User" concept is a new and powerful tool -- and it's taking root throughout the country. In fact, the Wisconsin Bike Lobby Day is focusing heavily on pending VRU legislationWhile VRU protections have proliferated in the past five years, they continue to take many shapes. In this edition of Bike Law University, see how your state stacks up. (Photo: Alliance for Biking & Walking Photo Library)

webinar: getting more moms and families on bikes

Research consistently shows that women shoulder more of the household responsibilities, including childcare and transportation. So join us for our next  Women Bike webinar -- April 11, from 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. EDT -- as we discuss "Getting More Moms and Families on Bikes." We'll explore how individual, advocacy and retailer leaders are addressing these unique but widespread considerations and helping to get more moms and families out riding. Register today! (Photo by Leslie Bloom, Alliance for Biking & Walking Photo Library)

 
 partner news
safe routes to school encourages input on surgeon general's future call to action on walking

Walking is the key to a stronger, healthier America. As the walking movement continues to gain momentum in 2013, you have the chance to help guide the national agenda around getting more people walking and building walkable communities. Until April 30, the U.S. Surgeon General is looking for feedback from the public on what should be included in a future call to action around walking. You can join the Safe Routes to School National Partnership by responding today!

New Report ranks complete streets policies
In 2012, nearly 130 cities, states and regions adopted Complete Streets policies, making the total number of such policies 488 nationwide. The policies passed in 2012 compromise more than one quarter of all policies in place today. Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition released a report today detailing the year's progress. They also ranked the top 10 cities in crafting comprehensive policy language.  Can you guess which city ranks No. 1? Read the report here.
 


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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