June 17, 2013
Greetings! 

If there's a unifying theme running through this issue of American Bicyclist Update, it's the remarkable array of resources and information that we are providing to our members and affiliated local advocacy groups. Whether it's logging miles for the National Bike Challenge, finding funding for your local bike project, understanding complex federal policy guidance or mining data on equity and women's issues... the League staff is pumping out quality materials and information. Thank you for turning all these great resources into action!

 

Sincerely,  

 


Andy Clarke
League President
 
 league news 
Record month for National Bike challenge!
And we're off! We set some big goals for the 2013 National Bike Challenge: 50,000 participants logging 20 million miles. During the first month alone, we shattered records with thousands more participants signing up in May 2013 than the same month in 2012. The friendly online competition, aimed at creating community and uniting bicyclists nationwide, continues until September 30, 2013, so don't miss out on the fun! Already dozens of riders have been rewarded with great prizes from Trek, New Belgium Brewing, Planet Bike and more! Join today and make every mile count: www.nationalbikechallenge.org
June 27: Digital Discussion on Bike Equity

Last month, the League and Sierra Club released a report -- "The New Majority: Pedaling Toward Equity" -- focused on gathering stats, facts and stories concerning equity in bicycling.  To keep the conversation going, we're taking the discussion digital with a Google Hangout on Thursday, June 27 at 1 p.m. Eastern.  This interactive and publicly accessible video conference will feature several local and national leaders working on equity in bicycling, including Allison Mannos (Multicultural Communities for Mobility), Anthony Taylor (Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota) and League president, Andy Clarke. Click here to register!

Mark your Calendar for the 2014 National Bike Summit
Save the date! Join the League and hundreds of advocates in Washington, D.C. for the 14th annual National Bike Summit, March 3-5, 2014. The Summit is a unique opportunity to network with leaders, thinkers and doers from the world of bicycle advocacy-- and to help shape the next federal transportation bill.
Upcoming League Cycling Instructor seminars
Do you have a passion for bicycling - and teaching safe cycling skills? Have you completed the League's Traffic Skills 101 course, but want to be an ambassador for bike education in your community? Become a League Cycling Instructor to learn the skills and gain the certification to teach our Smart Cycling curriculum. Click here to sign up for upcoming seminars in California, Oregon or Georgia. (Photo: LCI training in Irving, TX.)
Bicycle Friendly Business Applications due Thursday!
Join the likes of Facebook and Kimberly-Clark Corporation -- apply to become a Bicycle Friendly Business! More than 500 businesses have attained BFB designation -- and, even if you don't make the grade (yet!), the online application and personalized feedback are free! Click here to apply by Thursday, June 20th, to be eligible for an award in this round. Learn more.
Support the League, experience Climate Ride
Climate Ride is your chance to enjoy an incredible 5-day ride while supporting bike advocacy organizations like the League. The nation's largest environmental bicycling event, Climate Ride will roll again with the New York City to Washington D.C. ride September 21-25, 2013! The League -- and member organizations like Transportation Alternatives and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association -- are beneficiaries of the ride, so you'll be protecting the climate AND advancing bike advocacy. Don't wait; register today! There are just 20 spots left for the NYC-DC ride! Learn more.
 
 advocacy
Bike Equity: 3 Stories of success
Our recent report -- "The New Majority: Pedaling Toward Equity" --  showcased the stories of just a handful of grassroots groups that are mobilizing diverse communities and elevating new leaders. As we wrote in an opinion piece for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this month, there are a number of great examples of traditional advocacy organizations that are partnering with other community-based groups and residents in under-served areas to advance bike equity. Read more.
Women Bike Wednesday: Bike Share pioneer and WABA campaign update

After being on hiatus during our "Where the Ride Takes Us" series in May, Women Bike Wednesday is back! With the launch of CitiBike in New York City, we interviewed bike share pioneer Alison Cohen, and, also checked in with Nelle Pierson (above), the organizer of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association's Women & Bicycles campaign. (Photo of Nelle Pierson by Maggie Smith) 

450 Miles for Homeless veterans

They'll pedal 450 miles over six days on a journey from Huntington, W. Va., to Washington, D.C. The reason? Help fill the gaps in funding for the Homless Veterans Resource Center, which assists with helping veterans find medical care, transitional housing, legal issues and more. Learn more.

Petition: Vulnerable Road user law for florida

If you're a bicyclist in Florida please show your support by signing a petition asking Florida's Governor and Legislature to pass a meaningful Vulnerable Road User law. The proposed law is based on the League's model statute, and would advance safety for bicyclists in the Sunshine State. Read more.

 
 resources
New 'Find It, Fund it' tool from Advocacy Advance

Advocacy Advance has created the Find It, Fund It! tool to help you identify what federal transportation program(s) could help pay for bike lanes, sidewalks or other bike/ped projects in your community. Our Find It, Fund It! Tool helps you find federal funding sources for 24 types of projects. Some of these sources you may know about. Some may be new to you. In every case, if your selected project is eligible then the tool will tell you how to fund it. Start using Find It, Fund It now!  

FHWA guidance on Transportation Alternatives program: The good, the Bad and the Ugly

Last week, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released its final guidance on the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) -- and it's really a mixed result for bicyclists. FHWA releases guidance to help state Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) interpret the federal transportation law, MAP-21, and let them know what U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) expects. Read our analysis of the good, the bad and the ugly here

mining data from the national bike challenge
So your workplace joined the National Bike Challenge and, now that folks are geared up and riding, you're wondering what comes next -- and what's in it for you! This month, we hosted two webinars on how to capture useful data from Challenge participants within your business. Click here to watch the recording.  
 
 partner news
National Open Streets Training

The Open Streets Project, a collaboration of the Alliance for Biking & Walking and The Streets Plans Collaborative, will host a National Open Streets Training in Minneapolis, August 9-11, 2013. This first-ever event will help advocates, local governments and business groups start their planning processes on the right foot. Learn more and register

PolicyLink Webinar: Health Impact Assessments
Considering health in decision-making processes related to social and economic decisions is growing, and tools like Health Impact Assessments (HIA) are being explored and implemented by many. Learn more on a free webinar hosted by PolicyLink -- Implementing Equity in Health Impact Assessments -- this Wednesday, June 20, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern. Register here
national brotherhood of cyclists annual conference
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!
 
 just for fun
King James Leads the Way: Bikes in the NBA
If you're not already glued to the NBA Finals, here's one potential reason to tune in: Bicycling among NBA athletes -- like almost everywhere else -- is on the upswing. And it's not just Lebron James of the Miami Heat who's firing up the trend. 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.
Quick Links
� Connect locally
� Search our website

SPONSORS