Building the People Powered Movement
Member NewsBicycle and pedestrian advocacy news from Alliance organizations across North America.
09/23/2011 -- Michigan Advocates Push to Protect Left and Right Arm Turn Signals
Historically, two-wheeling travelers have indicated a right turn by extending and bending their left arm, as if giving the queen’s wave. But times are a-changing and many cyclists have come to prefer a more intuitive signal: pointing with their right arm. According to the League of American Bicyclists, 32 states have altered their traffic laws to legalize the new signal. Now, Michigan advocates are working to bump that number to 33 — but also ensure that the left hand signal stays legal, too. In May, advocates from the League of Michigan Bicyclists presented state legislators with a white paper, urging them to enact a “common-sense update to the Michigan Vehicle Code (MVC)” that would allow for the extended right arm signal. Policymakers took notice and a bill was introduced that would do just that. But there’s a hitch: The bill would also eliminate the current method for signaling right turns and the upturned left arm would no longer be recognized as legal. So the LMB, along with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) and the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA), jumped into action to make sure both options stay on the table. This week, LMB Associate Director John Lindenmayer provided testimony on the bill, drawing on a position paper submitted by all three organizations. “We believe that legalizing the new method of signaling and encouraging cyclists to use it is a positive move,” the paper noted. “Not only do automobile drivers better recognize a cyclist’s intentions when they point in the direction they plan to turn, it is also easier to teach children to point in the direction they plan to go… [But] LMB, MTGA and MMBA would like to see the MVC updated to legalize the actions of the many cyclists who already instinctively point to the right without penalizing current law-abiding cyclists who use an upturned left arm. Thousands of out-of-state cyclists visit Michigan each year, who may only know or use the universal upturned left arm signal that is currently legal in all 50 states, and required in 18 states. By striking the original language, cyclists could be penalized by law enforcement for unintentionally violating a traffic law that would be unique only to Michigan.” If you’d like to take action, LMB is urging the cycling community to contact Representative Paul Opsommer, House Transportation Committee Chair, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Subscribe to the LMB’s blog to get updates on the bill. 09/21/2011 -- Missouri Advocates Help Put a Dollar Value on Safe Routes Savings and Benefits
By helping to create the conditions that get more kids to bike and walk to school instead, the Safe Routes to School movement is reducing that massive price tag. And the advocates at the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation have created a new tool that aims to puts a dollar value on those notable savings. Of course, busing trumps private automobiles by a long shot, saving 347 million vehicle miles traveled each day. And busing certainly makes sense for students traveling longer distances. “We know that school bus transportation is cheaper, better for the environment, and often better for kids, than being driven in private automobiles,” the Missouri advocates point out. But they also know that: “Walking and bicycling, when feasible and safe, is cheaper, healthier, and generally better for most kids than either of the other options.” So the federation did some number crunching. They found that a typical student who bicycles or walks to school receives the following amount of savings and benefits:
Want to calculate the benefits in your community? Download the federation’s calculator in the Alliance Resource Library. Click here to read more about the data sources. 09/20/2011 -- Marin County Bicycle Coalition Takes It Off-Road
Now MCBC is taking its advocacy off-road. Yesterday, MCBC launched a new Mountain Bike Initiative that aims to “increase trail access for mountain bike riders in Marin County, encourage safe and civil behavior among all trail users, and promote trail stewardship.” “As mountain biking popularity continues to rise,” the advocates explained in the program announcement, “MCBC is compelled by its growing membership base to devote its unique experience and resources in advocacy and education to achieving similar success off-road.” Thanks to a new source of funding (and a fundraising campaign- donate here), MCBC will soon hire a part-time director who will work toward a host of program goals, like opening more trail opportunities for mountain bikers and creating more trails that serve as transportation. “The organization will participate in trail planning processes alongside government agencies, land managers, environmental organizations and the public,” the MCBC noted in the announcement. “It will be deeply involved in activities encouraging all users to create a cooperative, respectful, friendly and safe environment on trails. With this program, MCBC looks forward to creating more positive change in Marin County.” Read more on MCBC’s website. 09/15/2011 -- TIGER 3 Grant Applications Due Next Month
The funds, totalling $527 million, will be balanced both geographically and modally, with at least $140 million to be used in rural areas. Among the other requirements:
Read the recent League blogs for more information on how to win a TIGER 3 grant for bicycle and pedestrian projects and tips on submitting a TIGER 3 benefit-cost analysis. 09/13/2011 -- ACTION ALERT: Let your Senator Know that you support Biking and WalkingThis year, around $700 million of Federal transportation funds, which is less than 2 percent of total transportation dollars, will be spent on bicycling and walking. In 2012 that figure might be a big fat zero. Please contact your Senators TODAY and let them know you support continued funding for biking and walking. In the next few days, Senator Coburn will ask Congress to eliminate the federal Transportation Enhancements program – the primary funding source for the past 20 years for bike lanes, trails, bike racks on buses, bike education etc. This isn’t safe or smart; it’s not good for the economy or the environment; this is bad health policy and bad transportation policy. But they are going to try because they don’t think bicycling matters. Even though bicycling projects create more jobs per dollar than highway-only projects and cutting enhancements won’t impact the deficit – the money just won’t be spent on bicycling – some Members of Congress want to force us backwards to a 1950s highway-only mindset: as if oil embargoes, congestion, smog, the obesity epidemic and climate change never happened. Now is the time to save biking and walking. So, we are asking you to contact your Senator and urge them to support continued funding for biking and walking. Don’t let them take away this vital investment program for smart, sustainable, safe transportation choices. Please take action today. 09/12/2011 -- Bike/Ped Overlooked in Atlanta Regional Sales Tax
Two weeks ago – and after months of deliberation – the Atlanta Regional Roundtable approved a draft project list of transportation projects funded by a penny sales tax. Only 0.4% of the total revenue was designated for bicycle and pedestrian project funding, on the grounds the bike/ped infrastructure doesn’t serve regional travel needs. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition makes four key arguments to show that this is false, and that Atlanta’s commuters care about biking and walking. Take action now by attending a public meeting or calling your elected officials with the following requests:
09/09/2011 -- Bike Denver Completes Advocacy Advance Startup Grant
Since the award of the grant, the organization has fully transitioned from an all-volunteer organization to a professionally run nonprofit. With assistance from a local marketing firm, Bike Denver’s education campaign emphasized the positive effects and emotions that result from biking, and empowered more people in Denver to ride for fun or transportation. Thanks to its outreach efforts, Bike Denver increased its membership by 33 percent, saw a 4 percent increase from 2009 in the number of people who bike commute in Denver, and achieved Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community recognition from the League of American Bicyclists. As part of the matching grant requirement, Bike Denver raised more than $60,000 in sponsorships, donations, grants, event proceeds, and membership dues to support its advocacy efforts. Some examples of the advocates’ accomplishments in just the past 18 months include:
Bike Denver joins the 24 other organizations that have used Advocacy Advance Grant funding to spur development and carry out successful bicycle and pedestrian campaigns. Read about the successes of other past grant recipients and learn about the Advocacy Advance Grant program here. 09/08/2011 -- Governor Signs New York Complete Streets Bill
“New York’s roadways should safely accommodate all pedestrians, motorists and cyclists, and this legislation will help communities across the state achieve this objective. Complete Streets designs recognize measures that will make streets safer for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities,” says Cuomo, about the bill, which will affect all federal and state funded projects. The successful passing of this bill is attributed to the advocacy efforts of Complete Streets supporters including public health organizations, professional organizations, environmental advocates, Alliance sponsor AARP, and of course transportation advocacy groups such as the New York State Transportation Equity Alliance, and Alliance member New York Bicycling Coalition. “I am calling this one a win, or at least a step in the right direction,” writes Chris Belsole on the Albany Bicycle Coalition blog. “Although this legislation does not force anyone to do much of anything it does make it so that project managers have to at least consider the option when thinking about new projects.” 09/08/2011 -- NYC Summer Streets Informs — and Impresses — New Alliance Program
For a few hours, one of New York City’s most famous streets was transformed from a frenzy of car horns, squealing brakes and congestion to an oasis of people powered transportation. The reason for change: Summer Streets. Held during the first three Saturday’s in August, Summer Streets creates a car-free route from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, including 60 blocks on Park Avenue and connecting streets. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, from all types of backgrounds, took the opportunity to explore their city in a way they seldom have available. As part of the Alliance’s recent grant to launch the Open Streets Project, I traveled to New York to learn more about one of North America’s largest open streets initiatives. This was my first time attending an event, and I was blown away by what I saw! Along with cyclists and walkers, the street was packed with scooters, trikes, rollerbladers and just about every other type of human propelled movement. While some spandex-wearing riders weaved in and out of the crowd, most folks took advantage of the ability to go slow and see their city from a whole new angle. At several points on the route, there were rest stops that allowed participants to take a break and engage in fun and educational activities such as yoga classes, musical performances and bike safety demonstrations. Of course, local Alliance member organization Transportation Alternatives was on hand offering free bike valet, and using the opportunity to engage New Yorkers in T.A.’s campaigns to create safer streets for all users. Along with taking in the excitement that is Summer Streets, I was also able to meet with some of the great folks at NYC DOT who put on the initiative, and learn what it takes to put on such a successful event. Despite the difficult financial times, NYC DOT hasn’t cut back a bit on Summer Streets because of its popularity and support from private funders. I’m looking forward to the launch of the Open Streets website this fall, which will allow cities across the continent to share their successes and plans. Open Streets are more than an opportunity to have fun on a street normally used for cars; they’re a chance to re-imagine the way our cities could be. T.A. probably said it best in one of their recent newsletters, “For three days every summer, we don’t need schematics and modeling to understand what New York City would look like if pedestrians were prioritized. For three days this summer, our dream is reality.” 09/07/2011 -- Active Trans Launches “Riders for Better Transit” Campaign
With city officials facing tough budget decisions, Chicago transit agencies could see their funding slashed, and residents could be hit with service cuts and fare increases. Riders for Better Transit — the new initiative from Active Trans and the NRDC — is building a vocal constituency for increased investment and improved initiatives that serve riders’ needs. “Transit reduces pollution, provides essential links to jobs and commerce, and offers an affordable transportation choice for Chicagoland residents,” Jennifer Henry of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a press release last month. “We need to use transportation dollars wisely and reinvest in existing communities and infrastructure.” The Riders for Better Transit campaign has a vision for how to spend those dollars wisely and invest in a world-class transit system, including bus rapid transit, modernized rail service and a more-passenger-friendly Union Station. The campaign is also pushing for a universal fare system, real-time transit information and “complete stations” that are inviting and safely accessible by walking, biking, and persons of all abilities. And, perhaps most importantly, the campaign will fight to prevent further service cuts and fare increases as transit agencies prepare to finalize their 2012 budgets. “Riders across the region know our system is plagued by slow zones, overcrowding and deteriorating stations, and every community has a laundry list of needs, from restoring bus service that’s been cut to increasing train frequencies,” added Ron Burke, Executive Director of Active Trans. “Our region can barely maintain our current transit service, much less make improvements riders need. The bottom line is transit in our region is significantly underfunded.” Read more on the campaign website. 09/06/2011 -- Thanks to Saris, Wisconsin Advocates Go Big with Bike Valet Program
Well, Saris Cycling Group teamed up with the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and came up with a way to fit 200 bikes into the back of a single car. Dave Schlabowske, the Bike Fed’s new communications director, suggests that bike valet is an important — and growing — asset for bicycle advocates. According to Dave, the top five benefits include:
With so many benefits, the Bike Fed was looking to increase and expand its valet presence. But there was one pressing problem — transporting the bike racks. That is, until Saris stepped in with a solution. “It was very important that Saris help us develop a bike valet parking system that we could easily provide without outside help and that would not be a strain on our budget,” Schlabowske wrote last month. “With this in mind, Saris designed a special rack that could be easily transported in a standard size car or on a fortified bike trailer. Each rack breaks down into three pieces and is very light weight. We’ve been able to haul 25 event racks that park 200 bikes easily and conveniently in the back of a Prius!” Already this summer, he Bike Fed has parked more than 1,000 bikes at valet events and plans to serve at least 1,000 more cyclists before the season ends. Last week, the Bike Fed got big exposure when it provided valet at the opening home football game for the University of Wisconsin in Madison. For more information on the Bike Fed program, contact amanda.white@bfw.org. 09/02/2011 -- Ride for the Climate — and the Alliance!There’s just three weeks left to register and raise funds to participate in the ride of a lifetime! Climate Ride is a 5-day, fully-supported bicycle ride from Fortuna to San Francisco under towering redwoods, through the Russian River Wine Country, and along the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route; one of the most scenic coastlines in the world. But there’s meaning to this magnificent tour. The ride, Oct 2-6, is the nation’s largest environmental cycling event and “green conference on wheels,” promoting awareness about and action to address climate change. Riders raise funds that are directed to organizations that work to protect the climate and promote sustainable transportation — like the Alliance! Sign up for $75 and then raise at least $2,400 by September 23 and choose which organization you’ll raise money for. Registrants can direct their fundraising toward multiple beneficiaries, too. That means, you can ride for, say, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Transportation Alternatives or other great Alliance member organizations, and still direct a portion of your dollars to support the Alliance. Join or donate to the Alliance team today! 09/01/2011 -- Only One Month Left to Enter the 2011 Alliance Photo Contest!
With more than $8,000 in prizes for the winning entries, the Alliance invites professional, amateur and advocate photographers to celebrate the beauty and energy of active transportation and continue to build an online library of high-quality images that can be used by bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations across North America. Don’t wait: There’s just one month left to submit your photos in the following categories:
Individuals can submit up to 20 photo entries via the contest website until September 31. From October 1st to 31st, public voting will determine the finalists in each category. A panel of expert and advocate judges from across the continent will then determine the winners. The overall grand prize is an all-expenses-paid biking or walking trip to Italy, from VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations. Additional prizes include: A new bicycle from PUBLIC Bikes; bags from Ortlieb ; lights from Planet Bike; gear from Fyxation; helmets from Bern and more! Plus, all winning photos also will be featured in the March 2012 issue of Momentum magazine. Enter your photos by September 31 at http://www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/PhotoContest. 08/31/2011 -- Michigan Advocates Host Successful Winning Campaigns Training
Hosted by the League of Michigan Bicyclists, many of the attendees were from communities around Michigan who were involved in campaigning for the statewide Complete Streets legislation passed last year. Thanks to that impressive effort, the LMB earned the Alliance’s 2011 Winning Campaign of the Year award—and the Winning Campaigns Training positioned the advocates for even bigger victories. “This workshop challenges you to hone in on your resources in a targeted approach for success,” said Nancy Krupiarz, a volunteer with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance. “This training was very practical and I leave knowing exactly what my next steps are,” added Laura Padalino, from the Program to Educate all Cyclists (PEAC), an advocacy group that educates people with disabilities to become better cyclists. The Alliance’s signature training uses proven curriculum targeted specifically to the unique needs and experience of bicycle and pedestrian advocates. The training is intended for any potential campaign leader who would benefit from gaining the tools to craft and manage powerful advocacy campaigns.“The title is not misleading,” said Sarah Panken from the Michigan Fitness Foundation. “This training will position you for a win.” Click here for photos of the Lansing training, courtesy of Joshua Duggan of the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition. And don’t forget to register for the Alliance’s next Winning Campaigns Training in Los Angeles, California, October 14-16. 08/31/2011 -- Your Input Needed on Alliance Strategic PlanAs we celebrate our 15th anniversary, the Alliance is also looking to the future and all the important things we want to achieve. We’ve come a long way, but we still have a great deal of work to do to help create, strengthen, and unite bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, so our movement can continue to transform communities across North America. The Alliance’s strategic plan is our guiding document and we’re looking for your input as we update it. If you are interested in reviewing the document and sharing your input, please contact Jeff Miller (jeff@PeoplePoweredMovement.org) by Tuesday, September 6th for more details.
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Invest in biking and walking advocacy where it matters most... on the ground!
Creating Walkable Communities on a Budget --Call on May 16
Making the Equity Case: Working with Transit --Call on June 06
Winning Campaigns Training: Houston, Texas
June 08 through June 10, 2012
05/22/2012 - 2012 Bicycle Friendly State Rankings Just Announced
05/22/2012 - Bikes, Tourists, and all that Jazz
05/21/2012 - San Francisco Implements 15-mph School Zones
05/11/2012 - Apply to Become a Walk Friendly Community
One of the cardinal rules of safe cycling is signaling. Whether changing lanes or making a turn, every bicyclist is taught the critical importance of indicating his or her movements on the streets with a simple hand gesture.
In 2007-2008, districts across the United States spent a staggering $21.5 billion busing students from their neighborhoods to the classroom. At an average of $854 per student, that accounted for more than 4 percent of the entire cost of the K-12 education system. 
The 
Pre-applications for the third round of 
Take action now so bicycle and pedestrian projects don’t get overlooked in the Atlanta region.
New York became the seventeenth state to pass Complete Streets legislation when 
Bike valet is a valuable, visible and fun way to promote cycling at community events. But there’s one small hitch: How do advocates get all those bicycle racks to the site of the festivities? 
Don’t fall asleep at the wheel and miss your chance to win an all-expenses-paid biking or walking trip to Italy! Enter your best pictures in the 
