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Member NewsBicycle and pedestrian advocacy news from Alliance organizations across North America.
06/14/2010 -- Hoosier State Gets ‘Share the Road’ Licence Plates
On June 1, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced that it had approved a new “I Share the Road” license plate that will be available in 2011. “We are more than a little excited for this win and thankful that our supporters hung with us for the journey,” says Nancy Tibbet, executive director of Bicycle Indiana. “We received over 800 signatures and it was largely accomplished with the assistance of the numerous bicycle retailers and advocacy organizations throughout Indiana.” With the sale of each license plate, a nice chunk of the $40 fee — $25 — will go directly to Bicycle Indiana. That money, Tibbet says, will be key in helping the organization meet the matching fund requirement for its existing Transportation Enhancement grant. But the prospective cash is making Bicycle Indiana think bigger: they’re hoping to use the funds to revitalize a statewide bikeways initiative, too. It’s not unrealistic. Other Alliance organizations have made significant strides with license plate funds. BikeTexas lassos more than $300,000 per year with its state license plates, including the “Share the Road, Y’all!” That money, flowing in since 2003, is crucial in leveraging other funds. Like Texas, Indiana is thinking big. “Our goal is 10,000 plates by the end of 2012,” Tibbet says. Go Hoosiers! 06/08/2010 -- Important New Resources on Safe Routes to School
Too often, though, those children also face significant dangers simply traveling to school. Low-income neighborhood are plagued with poor infrastructure, busy thoroughfares and a lack of sidewalks. Because of that treacherous landscape, students in these communities aren’t just at a 20 percent more likely to become overweight; they also face a far higher risk of being injured or killed as pedestrians. Yesterday, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership released a new study exploring this issue and investigating how organizations across the nation are addressing these challenges and coming up with programs that ensure students healthy, active opportunities to walk or bike to school. According to the Partnership: “While there are many resources that document how to implement a Safe Routes to School program, few of them address the challenges and circumstances unique to low-income communities. This resource guide, which focuses on schools and communities where at least half of students or community residents are low-income, is intended to fill that gap.” Implementing Safe Routes to School in Low-Income Schools and Communities: A Resource Guide for Volunteers and Professionals highlights the work of a number of Alliance member organizations, from the Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling in Kansas City, Missouri, to the Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle. The Partnership also released a second guide — Getting Students Active through Safe Routes to School: Policies and Action Steps for Education Policymakers and Professionals. Read more and download the reports from the Partnership’s website. 06/04/2010 -- Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota Plays Key Role in State Complete Streets Victory
But just last month, the two organizations were sharing a press release and celebrating a mutual victory. Last year, Grilley (pictured right) and another board member from the fledgling Minnesota nonprofit traveled to Denver to attend an Alliance Winning Campaigns Training. One hot campaign that the two considered was complete streets legislation; a bill that would ensure that DOT officials provide safe and accessible accommodations for all citizens, including bicyclists and pedestrians, in future road projects. “We spent a fair amount of time evaluating our capacity and, as a new organization, we really didn’t feel we had the capacity to take on complete streets all by ourselves,” Grilley said. They didn’t have to. In an effort to create safer, more active communities, Blue Cross Blue Shield, a major health insurance company, had dedicated itself to the passage of a state complete streets policy. Along with the AARP and other experienced environmental organizations, BCBS gave the new Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition a huge microphone. But they had a hole in their base of support. “They realized that bicyclists could add significantly to the building of the coalition,” Grilley said. So the Bicycle Alliance ED joined the Coalition steering committee and, with 65 organizations making the case for complete streets, the Minnesota legislature took notice. Both chambers passed a measure that requires the Mn/DOT consider community needs and all likely users in planning future road projects. Last month, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the bill into law. Kathy Mock, senior vice president for public affairs at Blue Cross, applauded the passage in the Coalition’s press release. “This is smart policy because it provides benefits on so many levels: safety, health, clean transportation choices, and makes transportation dollars stretch farther,” she said . “ Blue Cross actively supported this effort because making it easier for people to get around on foot or by bike is a great way to encourage more physical activity and thereby improve overall health.” It boosted the credibility — and pride — of the Bicycle Alliance, as well. Grilley said he was proud the group helped assemble and lead the successful campaign: “It ended up being a great relationship builder for a new, bike nonprofit organization and it really helped grow our membership.” They’ll need that clout to continue the complete streets push. “Our work has just begun, because the legislation applies only to state-funded roads,” Grilley said. “We will participate in Mn/DOT’s complete streets implementation committee. But, perhaps more importantly, BikeMN staff and members will need to continue our work of encouraging local units of government to adopt and implement complete streets policies.” Read about other successful efforts in the Alliance’s recently released Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns, or learn more about the Bicycle Alliance and Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition. 06/02/2010 -- Alliance Releases New Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns
To add fuel to this quickly advancing movement, the Alliance for Biking & Walking has released a new edition of its Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns. The 117-page book updates and expands on the 2006 edition, with new complete streets policy examples, samples from current campaigns, and resources for advocates pursuing complete streets. In many cases, Alliance organizations have led the charge, winning complete streets policies in their states and cities. Jeff Miller, Alliance president/CEO, says this new manual could be a catalyst for groups to kick-start or super-charge a successful campaign in their area. “This updated guide is a key resource for grassroots advocates pursuing complete streets policies for their states and cities,” Miller says. “This compilation shares the step-by-step actions and lessons learned from peers across the country, making it the most up-to-date and on-the-ground advice for winning complete streets.” The updated Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns was made possible by the generous support of Planet Bike and with assistance from the National Complete Streets Coalition. The guide is available for purchase through the Alliance’s website and is available as a free download to leaders of Alliance member organizations through the Alliance’s online Resource Library. Book Description: Our nation’s transportation system poses significant challenges for the third of our citizens who do not drive. A full 13 percent of traffic deaths are bicyclists and pedestrians, yet most roadways are still being built with only motor vehicles in mind. Complete streets policies require that future transportation projects ensure safe accommodation of all users. Bicyclists, motorists, transit vehicles and users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities safely and enjoyably travel along and across complete streets. The Alliance for Biking & Walking’s Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns compiles a blueprint for winning a complete streets policy in your city, region, state, or province. Filled with models from past and current campaigns and tips from advocacy leaders in the field, this guide is an indispensable resource for the new or seasoned advocate working towards complete streets. The Alliance for Biking & Walking’s Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns is part of a series of Alliance guides, which aim to build the capacity of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. To purchase the guide online visit www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/publications. 05/28/2010 -- Savannah Bicycle Campaign Kicks Off Education Grant at City’s First Ciclovia
The Kids’ Ciclovia was the first in the city, opening the block around Tiedman Park to bike and pedestrian traffic only. The event was particularly festive thanks to members of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign and Specialized Bikes. Drew Wade, SBC’s former executive director, says the Ciclovia showcased two exciting developments. “The first was to celebrate the opening of a new 1.6-mile bike lane on Washington Avenue, Savannah’s first in 10 years, and we hope the first of many to come,” Wade says. “The second purpose was to announce new equipment secured by a grant to SBC and the City of Savannah from Specialized Bikes — 10 bikes and 40 helmets, with the accompanying trailer supplied by the city — to be used by our LCIs [League Cycling Instructors] in teaching through schools, civic and neighborhood groups.” The value of the grant, including the local match, rings up to $7,500, and SBC members are looking forward to using the new 10-foot trailer to take their safety training to kids across the city. For more on the ciclovia, check out SBC’s blog. Or browse the group’s Flickr page for a gallery of (very cute) photos. 05/27/2010 -- Arizona Advocates Erect First Ghost Bike in Tempe
05/26/2010 -- Iowa Bicycle Coalition Celebrates New Bike Lanes on Des Moines Thoroughfare
This month, the city striped lanes for two-wheeling travelers on Ingersoll Avenue, a main strip for shopping and dining in Iowa’s capital. This transformation will turn a busy four-lane artery into an accessible two-lane road, with bike lanes on either side. Cyclists are excited to ride the Avenue and residents are eager to see how the new transit option impacts the local businesses. One shop-owner on Ingersoll just happens to be Frank Cownie (pictured), the city’s mayor and an avid cyclist. “We’re very hopeful as business owners that this will be quite a helpful addition,” he told KCCI News. Click here to watch a helmet video of the new lanes, shot by Des Moines advocate Carl Voss. For more information, visit http://www.iowabicyclecoalition.org/. Blog contributed by Adam Levine 03/26/2010 -- LACBC Releases Anticipated LA Bike Count Report
To produce this report, LACBC brought together and trained over 100 community volunteers who contributed hundreds of hours and counted over 14,000 cyclists and 60,000 pedestrians at over 50 strategic locations citywide. The count also included gender, helmet use, sidewalk riding, and riding on the wrong side of the street. All this information can be found in the report and is key in influencing and guiding future decision making about where to focus engineering, education, enforcement, and other improvements to increase bicycling and walking in LA. Key findings, as mentioned in LACBC’s press release, include:
To view the full report and description of LACBC’s efforts, visit http://la-bike.org/index.html 03/26/2010 -- New Bike Parking Ordinance Big Win for BikePGH
Councilman Patrick Dowd connected the dots and discussed how this ordinance is just a piece of the broader concept of what ‘we really have to do’ to turn Pittsburgh into a bicycle-friendly city. He cited the four-E’s commitment from the city: enforcement, education, economic incentives, and engineering.” For over two years, BikePGH has been working on this measure, with the planning department and the mayor’s bike/ped coordinator, researching best practices from other cities, getting input from architects and developers in order to get this piece of code written, and encouraging cyclists and other members of the public to participate in the process. This is a big win for BikePGH and a milestone for bicycling in the city of Pittsburgh. To view the full ordinance and find out more about BikePGH click here. 03/19/2010 -- SLO County Bicycle Coalition to Welcome New Bike/Pedestrian Bridge
The new bridge will provide a safe crossing over the railroad tracks and will allow for a stronger connection between the Orcutt area and local businesses and amenities. The city council has agreed to finance half of the cost of the bridge by seeking grant money because of its expectations of significant use by San Luis Obispo residents. The SLO County Bicycle Coalition will continue its efforts in providing strong support for facilities that accommodate active transportation and encourage connectivity within the county. For more information about the SLO County Bicycle Coalition visit www.slobikelane.org. 03/16/2010 -- 10th National Bike Summit Paramount Event
10. Rewards for A Decade of Service – The Summit really wouldn’t be what it is today without the ongoing support of three people we recognized for their decade of commitment to the event: Congressmen Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have spoken at all ten Summits, offering words of wisdom and inspiration; always challenging us to aim higher. The third award was to Bikes Belong, the title sponsor of all ten – a serious financial commitment which they exceed every year by also drumming up attendees. Thank You! Just before the Summit kicked off, at the League’s annual meeting, we also recognized more than a decade of service by outgoing Chair of the League Board, Amanda Eichstaedt. She received the Paul Dudley White award for her contribution to bicycling over the years, including service on the League board and as Chair of the board for the past three years. 9. The League’s six asks for the Congressional Lobby Day were well received by our nation’s Senators and Congressmen. H.R. 4722, the Active Community Transportation of Act of 2010, had nine additional bill co-sponsors as a result of our meetings on Capitol Hill. 8. Bike/Ped Eligibility for Transit Funds Increased – Speaking at the opening plenary of the Summit, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff confirmed that the eligibility of FTA funds for bicycling and walking projects has been extended. Following a Federal Register notice last year, FTA has agreed that bicycling projects that increase access and service to transit facilities are eligible for FTA funding provided they are within a three-mile radius of a transit station (one mile for walking). Eligibility doesn’t guarantee any more funding for bike/transit projects, but certainly removes a major hurdle that has prevented it in the past. 7. The Bikes Belong Coalition Political Action Committee (Bike PAC) – the bicycle industry’s bipartisan political action committee – had 10 members of Congress join the meeting! 6. Bikes Belong rolled out their new campaign People for Bikes – a brand-new initiative to put more people on bikes more often. 5. We had two members from Capitol Hill join us for the 10th Annual Congressional Bike Ride – Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) and Senator Merkley (D-OR)! 4. Representative Tom Petri (R-WI) pedaled a pedicab at the League’s National Bike Summit the afternoon of the Lobbying Day. 3. Google announced at the Opening Plenary Session at the National Bike Summit an addition to their suite of online directions - Google Maps biking directions! “This new tool will open people’s eyes to the possibility and practicality of hopping on a bike and riding,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. 2. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood energized and thanked the crowd at the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit on March 11, 2010 declaring, “You have a full partner in Ray LaHood.” On March 15, LaHood issued his new Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations. LaHood then made the most substantial statement the DOT has ever made about bicycling and announced, a “sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.” And finally, the number one reason the 10th Annual Bike Summit Rocked… To recap, the National Bike Summit was a great success, and the League is confident in the progress we will make in the year to come in conjunction with the Bike Summit! The League thanks all of our sponsors, advocates, supporters and industry leaders who turned out in record numbers to support the cause we all know will make America a healthier, better place to live – bicycling”. For more summit news and information visit http://www.bikeleague.org/conferences/summit10/index.php 03/08/2010 -- Bike Texas Co-hosts the Texas Trail and Active Transportation Conference
Attendees included renowned speakers, city and state bike/pedestrian and Safe Routes to School coordinators, trail builders and advocates, elected officials, engineers and planners, and bike shop owners from around the state. Bike Texas made clear at the conference that many of the improvements they want to see for biking and walking will only come with policy changes, and the vision and leadership of elected officials. The combined attendance of speakers and attendees made the Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference a great success and is sure to positively influence the state’s future in increasing walking and biking. For more information visit BikeTexas.org 03/08/2010 -- SF Bicycle Coalition to Welcome 12 More Trial Street Plazas and Parklets
Since the very first plaza opening in May 2009, the trial street reclamations have proven to be very successful and popular among the public. The new public spaces are built after the idea of PARK(ing) Day, where automobile parking spots are turned into mini public spaces for a day. These temporary spaces include mini-gardens, bike parking, plazas, etc. The SF Bike Coalition will continue to work closely with the Pavement to Parks program through their own Great Streets Project in order to scout good locations and connect community groups and businesses with the city’s program. For more information: 03/03/2010 -- ACT Act Introduced, Alliance Announces Virtual Lobby Day!
“Too often we take for granted the value of being able to bike and walk to work,” said Blumenauer. “It’s unfortunate that many communities don’t have the infrastructure in place to make active and healthy forms of transportation more accessible. The ACT transportation grants will make it easier for people to get out of their vehicles and onto sidewalks or bikes, boosting both heart rates and community vitality.” In conjunction with the National Bike Summit the Alliance is asking that you call your representative next Thursday, March 11th at the same time that over 700 Summit participants will have in-person meetings in congressional offices for a Virtual Lobby Day. For all the details, visit the Alliance action center. 02/22/2010 -- Transportation Alternatives Proposes Bike Buddy Program
Streets all across the country are getting safer for cycling, but until the roads catch up, riding with a friend is one of the best ways to stay safe. Using Pepsi’s Refresh Everything grant, T.A. will develop a new generation of mobile and web applications to connect cyclists who share the same roads every day. The goal: 500,000 new cyclists on the road, encouraged by the ability to ride with a buddy. It’s called “Bike Buddy.” Transportation Alternatives Director of Bicycle Advocacy, Caroline SamponaroIf, says “If we win this online voting competition, we would be able to collectively develop a new generation of mobile and web applications to connect cyclists who share the same roads every day. We would be linking newbies and seasoned riders—the sort of one-rider-at-a-time interaction that makes for a strong cycling community. We would pilot the program in five American cities, and with enough funding, many more thereafter.” By voting for T.A., you’ll help usher in a new wave of green, urban-friendly bike commutes. You can vote once per day, so come back over and over! To vote, visit http://www.refresheverything.com/BikeBuddy. For more information on Transportation Alternatives and the Bike Buddy Program visit www.refresheverything.com/BikeBuddy and www.transalt.org. |
Invest in biking and walking advocacy where it matters most... on the ground!
06/02/2010 - Alliance Releases New Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns
05/11/2010 - Alliance and Clif Bar Partner in National Competition to Energize Bike Travel
04/30/2010 - Brewery Support Boosts Grassroots Bicycle Advocacy
Georgia Gears Up for First Statewide Bike Summit
Sep 02, 2010
Madison’s Open Streets Draw Massive Crowds
Sep 01, 2010
Cascade Bicycle Club Converts Commuters With Green Bikes
Aug 31, 2010
Address: PO Box 65150, Washington, DC , 20035 Stop by the DC Office: 1612 K. Street, Suite 802, Washington, DC 20006P: (202) 449-9692 | F: (202) 223-3477
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It took four attempts, but the advocates at 
Nearly 40 percent of American schools are categorized as low-income: more than half of their students come from financially challenged families and qualify for free or reduced lunch programs. 
In 2009, Dorian Grilley never would have put the small, upstart 
In the past four years, the national push for complete streets has caught fire, spreading rapidly from coast to coast. Since 2006, more than 100 state and local jurisdictions have adopted new policies that require transportation projects include safe accommodations for all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians.
Last Saturday, on a road that’s usually traversed by cars, a crowd of eager kids from Savannah, Georgia, gathered to ride bikes and learn strategies to keep them safe on two wheels. 
On May 10, Chris Volpe, a 24-year-old student at Arizona State University, was 
The 
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) has just released a new report about cyclists and pedestrians across the city of Los Angeles, CA. L.A. Bike Count: Every Cyclist Counts is an in depth assessment of the use of the city’s public streets by bikers and walkers on a typical day for commuting and recreational purposes.
According to Bike Pittsburgh (Bike PGH), “Pittsburgh City Council unanimously passed the Bike Parking Ordinance this week. The ordinance is an amendment to the zoning code that requires all new and “change-in-use” buildings to install bicycle parking, just like they already must do for cars. There is also an incentive component to the ordinance, whereby a developer can replace up to 30% of their car parking requirement with bicycle parking. Basically, it makes sure that bikes are considered during the planning process, instead of trying to retrofit for them afterward.
With strong support from the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition, the San Luis Obispo City Council approved the adoption of the Orcutt Area Specific Plan which is set to include 1,000 new homes, approximately 100 acres of parkland and open space, and a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge.
According to the League of American Bicyclists, “The 10th National Bike Summit ended last Thursday, March 11th, with a momentous Congressional Reception, inspiring bike advocates from around the country – and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood – to bring the American bicycle movement to the next level! The 2010 Bike Summit was a paramount event for countless reasons but there are 10 clear highlights. Drum roll please…
For the first time, Bike Texas co-hosted the Texas Trail and Active Transportation Conference with the Texas Trails Network on February 3-6, 2010.
The SF Bicycle Coalition recently celebrated the official opening of the “Showplace Triangle” street plaza (at 8th and 16th streets) where San Francisco’s mayor Gavin Newsom, announced that the City’s Pavement to Parks program will be completing 12 more trial street plazas and “parklets” by the end of 2010. This program takes car parking spots and other street spaces and transforms them into various gathering spots for the community.
Representative Earl Blumenauer(OR) just introduced the Active Community Transportation Act, H.R.4722, on March 2nd 2010. This groundbreaking bill creates a competitive grant program with $2 Billion to help communities build bicycling and walking networks. For the first time, communities would be able to compete for multi-year funding to build active transportation systems, just as they do for transit and road infrastructure.
Transportation Alternatives is competing for a $250,000 grant that will enable cyclists from all over the country to connect with fellow bike commuters nearby—but they need your vote to win it!