For Immediate Release
Contact  
Liz Murphy
Communications Manager
League of American Bicyclists 
202-621-5458 (office)
412-508-6031 (cell)

BICYCLISTS UNITE IN NATION'S CAPITAL 
AT THE NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT 
Hundreds bring the momentum for a bicycle-friendly America to Congress 

Washington, D.C. - March 5, 2015 - The National Bike Summit kicks off March 10-12 in Washington, D.C., bringing together hundreds of passionate bicycling leaders from communities across the country.
Hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, the Summit is now in its 15th year. With another federal transportation bill looming, hundreds of bike advocates, industry leaders and cycling enthusiasts will gather in Washington, D.C., next week to unite the voices of bicyclists on Capitol Hill. 

This year's theme -- Bikes+ -- focuses on new ideas for exponential growth and building strong partnerships to get there. We're zeroing in on how the bike movement can add value to other issues and find powerful champions in health, community development, the business sector and beyond.

  

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) will be addressing the Summit by video, and the event will also feature top transportation, government and political leaders including:
  • Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
  • Mick Cornett, Mayor of Oklahoma City
  • R.T. Rybak, former Mayor of Minneapolis
  • Meghan Sahli-Wells, Mayor of Culver City, California
  • Paul Soglin, Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin
  • Dr. Aletha Maybank, Director of the NYC's Department of Health, Center for Health Equity
  • Maya Rockeymoore, President of Center for Global Policy Solutions

"In less than 100 days, the federal transportation law expires and the Highway Trust Fund will go broke -- unless Congress acts," said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. "That's where the National Bike Summit comes in. We're uniting bicycle advocates from across the country, amplifying our voice for a more bicycle-friendly America on Capitol Hill."

 

"We'll be talking about how the bike is a solution to many problems and working with our partners in health, business, government, engineering, higher education and more," Clarke said. "But, we'll only see the benefit of that solution if our roads are safe to ride on -- and that's where Congress can help."


The Summit will also include the  National Forum on Women & Bicycling, which will showcase the leadership and innovation of dozens of female leaders from across the nation. Speakers will include:
  • Ren Barger, Tulsa Hub CEO, and Barbara Bannon, Tulsa Hub Board Immediate Past President and President of Human Resource Investments 
  • Rue Mapp, CEO and Founder of Outdoor Afro
  • Lisa Nutter, President of Philadelphia Academies, Inc., and First Lady of Philadelphia
The National Bike Summit and  National Forum on Women & Bicycling will be held at the Renaissance Washington (999 9th Street NW, Washington, D.C.) on March 10 and 11, and moves to Capitol Hill on Thursday, March 12. See the full agenda here. 


Onsite registration will be available for participants and media is invited to attend. To interview participants from your city or state, please contact Liz Murphy, League Communications Manager, at (202) 621-5458 or liz@bikeleague.org.

  

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About the League: The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to create a bicycle-friendly America for everyone. As leaders, our commitment is to listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.