march 25, 2012
We're gearing up for National Bike Month 2013: Promotional materials available this week! 
Greetings! 

The true measure of the National Bike Summit is the difference we make in the minds of legislators. This year we are already making a difference! Thanks to your urging, Secretary Ray LaHood of the Department of Transportation announced two bike safety summits at the national event -- watch for details this week of where and when they are taking place. We've seen a terrific response to the Congressional sign-on letter the Summiteers were asking about, and tomorrow sees the first (that we know of) bike event that was scheduled with a member of Congress during the Summit! (Full event details here.)  We are looking forward to many more such events during National Bike Month -- the perfect time to invite your elected officials out for a ride -- and to the exciting launch of this year's National Bike Challenge.

 

Sincerely,  

 


Andy Clarke
League President
 
 league news 
Bike Month promotional materials Available this week!
National Bike Month is a cornerstone event every year, and we're excited to help you spread the word in your communities, too. This year's theme is "Where will the ride take you?" -- and we're focusing on the many ways bicycling can be a tool to community development, job creation, social justice and more. So stay tuned to our website later this week to download our 2013  promotional materials -- posters, web banners, web buttons. Materials will be posted here.  
summit presentations now available online

Miss the National Bike Summit this year? Hoping to take home some of the great lessons learned at the biggest bike advocacy event of the year? We've got you covered: We've uploaded the the presentations for the workshops at this year's event for your reference. Click here for the full index of topics, from social media to the economic benefits of bicycling. (Photo by Brian Palmer) 

Insights and Ideas from the Women's Forum

This year's National Women's Bicycling Forum was a signature aspect of the National Bike Summit and we're taking a closer look at some of the key ideas raised to get more women biking. For instance, Jenna Burton, founder of Red, Bike and Green, talked about creating a black bike culture; Megan Odett, founder of Kidical Mass DC, unpacked the issues blocking mothers from riding their bikes; and Adonia Lugo explained her concept of "human infrastructure." And that's just one session! Stay tuned to the Bike League blog for more in coming days. (Photo of Megan Odett by Brian Palmer)

the 2013 summit in Pictures!


During the National Bike Summit we heard from prestigious members of Congress and key federal leaders, but we also made connections with other bicycle advocates and shared great ideas from communities nationwide. Our photographer, Brian Palmer, caught the many moments of enlightenment -- and laughter -- at the Summit, so relive the experience (or get fired up for next year) by viewing the collection  of photos on our Flickr page.

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.
become a League member; get limited-edition apparel!

Your League membership puts you on the forefront of the American bicycling movement. Show your cyclist pride with a new League T-shirt, free with your new membership. Or, select a limited edition National Women's Bicycling Forum T-shirtYour membership also includes a subscription to Bicycling Magazine and our own American Bicyclist. Upgrade to Advocate level or higher, and we'll add a subscription to Bicycle Times. Become a member today, and check out more of our new apparel at our web store here. Already a member? Purchase the shirt and other great gear in our online store!

 
 advocacy
Women's (bike) History month series spotlights pioneers
March is Women's History Month, so we decided to put our own twist on the the 31 days of commemoration by profiling women who've advanced bicycling in the United States. With a number of guest posts from authors and advocates, we've dug into history -- spotlighting Tillie Anderson and Kittie Knox (pictured) -- as well as showcasing modern heroes, too. Be sure to read all of our women's (bike) history month profiles here
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
Energize your Business or Community with the National Bike Challenge 

We're less than two months away from the official start of the 2013 National Bike Challenge  and we want you to be as prepared as possible. To get you geared up for May 1, we've had two terrific webinars in the past week discussing the Challenge from two distinct perspectives: businesses and local advocacy organizations. Watch videos of the webinars, Making the National Bike Challenge Work For Your Business and Energizing Local Cyclists.

Bike Law university: share the road license plates

Several advocates were able to attend the >2013 National Bike Summit because of their states' Share the Road license plates. For example, Georgia Bikes, as a beneficiary of the specialty plates, used some of it funding to provide scholarships for three key advocates working in underrepresented communities. But the Peach State is one of two dozen that have some version of a Share the Road plate. In this edition of Bike Law University, read more about this increasingly important funding source.

 
 partner news
APBP hosts women cycling project webinar
Join the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals for it's fourth annual Women Cycling Project webinar: "Women's Work: Making communities more bicycle-friendly." This free session will be this Wednesday, March 27, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. EDT. Register here.
bicicultures roadshow examines bicycling's effect on social change
From women's rights to Critical Mass, bicycling has been a catalyst for change in the streets and the community at large. The Bicicultures Roadshow will explore the diversity of people and cultures that are bringing bicycling to life -- and how we create a vibrant vision for the future for all of us. This unique first-ever event, combining research and advocacy, will be held on April 16-17 in Davis, Calif. Register today.
Bicycle Urbanism symposium to re-imagine a bicycle-FRIENDLY city

The Bicycle Urbanism Symposium, held at the University of Washington, Seattle, will explore how to best encourage and facilitate widespread bicycle use in cities across the globe. It will be held on June 19-22 in Seattle, Washington. Register here.

 
 just for  fun
kickstarting bicycle history

Interested in bicycle history? The League's influential past is more than matched on the other side of the Atlantic by the UK's Cyclists Touring Club (CTC). Those parallels are about to get a thorough airing thanks to the extraordinary work and creativity of Carlton Reid -- and the support of a lot of individuals who responded to a kickstarter campaignto fund publication of Reid's "Roads Were Not Built for Cars." 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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