Greetings!
Thanks to your efforts across the country, National Bike Month was bigger than ever in 2013 with record turn-outs for Bike to Work events; Bike to School events in all 50 states; and nearly 230 rides in 31 countries for the growing CycloFemme movement. We couldn't be more energized to see the growing number of bicyclists - and the diversity of people on bikes in communities nationwide. Partnering with the Sierra Club, we released a new report last week that highlights the growth and leadership among youth, women and communities of color - read "The New Majority: Pedaling Toward Equity" and stay tuned for further discussion later this month. And don't forget: Continue the momentum of Bike Month all summer long by joining the National Bike Challenge.
Sincerely,
Andy Clarke
League President
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New Report: Pedaling toward Equity
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Bicycling has more than doubled from 1.7 billion trips in 2001 to more than four billion trips in 2009 -- and youth, women, and communities of color are playing a key role in shifting transportation demand towards safe, accessible, and equitable bicycling for all. A new report from the League and the Sierra Club, "The New Majority: Pedaling Towards Equity," showcases analysis and data on the changing face and new leadership in the bike movement nationwide, as well as key challenges and opportunities to advance equity moving forward. Read more.
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women bike announces mini-grant awardees! |
When it comes to getting more women on bikes, we know great ideas and initiatives are breaking ground across the country -- and we want to make sure the best efforts take root and serve as examples for the rest of the nation. We couldn't have been more impressed with the more than 60 applications for Women Bike Mini Grants and are excited to be working with some incredible organizations including WE Bike NYC, Women Bike PHL, We Are All Mechanics, and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition. Read more.
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new league staff: meet lili afkhami
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The League is excited to announce the arrival of a new member of our staff: Lili Afkhami. Lili is our new Development Officer, and she brings years of development experience and a passion for bicycling to the League. Click here to read a quick Q&A on Lili's background. |
league leadership goes for a ride with kimberly-clark
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Last month, League COO Jakob Wolf-Barnett and League Board Chair Gail Spann traveled to Wisconsin to join more than 200 K-C employees for their annual Get Up & Ride Day. Encouraging that many folks to saddle up is certainly impressive, but that wasn't the only cause for celebration. Wolf-Barnett and Spann also presented K-C CEO Tom Falk with two Bicycle Friendly Business designations: a bronze for the company's Conway, Ark., location and a gold for its Neenah, Wis., office. Read More. (From left: League COO Jakob Wolf-Barnett presents two Bicycle Friendly Business awards to Kimberly-Clark CEO Tom Falk, with League Board Chair Gail Spann)
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'where the ride takes us' series wrap-up |
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During Bike Month, we hosted a blog series focused on "Where the Ride Takes Us" -- spotlighting how bicycles are tools for personal empowerment, social justice and community development. We heard from a company that is helping its employees slash healthcare costs, one woman who is riding her way beyond cancer, and one group that is opening the streets to connect communities. Read through our National Bike Month blog series here.
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national bike challenge poised to surpass 2012 record |
The 2013 National Bike Challenge's first month is one for the books, as we've already nearly surpassed the total number of riders in 2012! We're almost at 30,000 individual riders for 2013, pushing us closer to our goal of 50,000. Have you not yet registered for the Challenge? Join as an individual, employee or city resident and make every mile count! Sign up today!
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Advocacy Advance team connects with southern advocates during week-long trip |
Heading South last month, the Advocacy Advance team connected with local advocates working to make their communities more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. Darren Flusche, League Policy Director, joined by Brighid O'Keane, Advocacy and Programs Director for the Alliance of Biking and Walking, visited Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee to present a Bicycle Friendly Community award, give a Navigating Map-21 presentation, and attend the Tennessee Bike Summit. Read the round-up here. (Darren, right, presents the Deputy Mayor of New Orleans, La., with a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community award.)
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analysis: Transportation secretary nominee fox sails through senate hearing |
Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx is one step closer to becoming the new Secretary of Transportation, and after yesterday's hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee, his appointment seems assured. While he never mentioned bicycling specifically, he continually mentioned the need to build multi-modal projects - and praised TIGER as a step in the right direction. He also indicated he would follow in the footsteps of Secretary Ray LaHood when it came to focusing on distracted driving, saying it was now "baked in" to how the DOT does business. Read more here.
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UPCOMING Local and State Bike Summits
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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!
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infographic: Where is bike commuting growing the fastest? |
The past decade has seen dramatic growth in biking, but where has bike commuting grown the most? In Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) that have made smart, strategic investments to make biking better. Learn more here.
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Bike Law university: sidewalk riding |
Bicycles on sidewalks have long been debated: Is it legal? Is it safer? Shouldn't children be able to ride there? In this edition of Bike Law University, we take a look at sidewalk riding, which is a perfect microcosm of the complicated relationship between bicycles and traffic laws in most states. Learn more here.
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national bike challenge webinars |
Are you a local challenge or business host for the 2013 National Bike Challenge? Tune into our webinars this week, which will focus on how to capture useful data from participants in your community or within your business. The business webinar will be held Thursday at 3:30 p.m. EDT and the local challenge webinar will be held Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. EDT. Register today! |
psu OFFERS BICYCLE PLANNING & DESIGN COURSE IN AUGUST
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Portland State University's Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation is offering a comprehensive bicycle planning and design course from August 25-29 in Portland. It will cover the fundamentals of bikeway planning and design through an intensive week of interactive classroom and field experience. Transportation professionals are encouraged to attend. Learn more and register here. |
national brotherhood of cyclists to hold annual conference in columbus, ohio
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The National Brotherhood of Cyclists Fourth Annual Major Taylor Cycling Conference will be held July 31 to August 4 in Columbus, Ohio. Learn more about the program here, and register today. |
League goes for a spin with the world bank group |
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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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