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Entries tagged: Biking

A new report from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy dispels the commonly held notion that only residents of big cities bike and walk. According to “Active Transportation Beyond the Urban Centers” folks in rural areas travel by bike and on foot as much — and in some cases, even more — than people in major population centers.

“It’s a widespread assumption in popular media and politics that people in small towns and rural areas do not walk or bike for transportation purposes,” says Tracy Hadden Loh, co-author of the report and research manager at RTC. “This report demonstrates that, in fact, rates for walking and bicycling in rural areas are close to, and sometimes higher than, the national average.”

Some key findings in the report include:

• In terms of total trips, rural Americans bike at a rate of between 74 percent and 104 percent of the overall national rate, depending on the type of community in which they live.

• The share of work trips made by bicycle in small towns is nearly double that of urban centers. Within small towns of 2,500 to 10,000 residents, people walk for work purposes at a rate similar to the urban core communities.

• Federal investment in biking and walking benefits rural areas as much or more than urban centers. Rural areas receive almost twice as much funding per capita as urban areas from the federal Transportation Enhancements program

• Among a list of travel priorities, rural Americans selected sidewalks more often than any other transportation need and nine out of 10 cited the importance of pedestrian friendly communities.

The report couldn’t come at a more pivotal moment. Congress is moving on the next federal transportation bill and the current House bill guts all funding for biking and walking projects and programs. This report proves that short-changing biking and walking by eliminating programs like Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School affects all communities across the U.S.

“Small communities need safe and convenient walking and bicycling facilities just as much as big cities,” says Kevin Mills, report co-author and RTC’s VP of Policy and Trail Development. “To meet this need, Transportation Enhancements has provided twice the funding per capita in rural America than in big cities. This includes rehabilitating walkable main streets in small town that have been bypassed by interstates.”

According to RTC: “In coming years, active transportation can play an even bigger role in making small town America more attractive for young families and business investment — improving economic vitality, traffic safety and overall health in smaller communities in every region of the country.”

Read the full report and check out the interactive map here.

What’s the economic impact?

Not surprisingly, that question has been a common theme and focus at this year’s massive Transportation Research Board meeting. And, up in Vermont, Alliance member organization Local Motion worked with a local consulting firm, Resource Systems Group Inc., to answer that question for the Green Mountain State.

On Tuesday afternoon, Beth Isler from RSG Inc. drew a crowd to her TRB presentation on the “Economic Impact of Walking and Biking in Vermont.” In conducting the study, Isler explained, she worked with the advocates at Local Motion to distribute more than 150 surveys to bicycle- and pedestrian-related businesses across the state. But that’s not all. She also tapped into data from the Vermont Agency of Transportation on road project expenditures, accessed statistics on visitor spending related to biking and walking events, utilized modeling from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute and correlated information from Walk Score with real estate sales.

The result? Even in a small state, where locals joke that summer lasts just two weeks, biking and walking provide a significant boost to the local economy. Among Isler’s findings:

• According to VTrans data, the construction and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects and programs brought $17 million in funding to the state, resulting in more than 230 jobs and $10 million in wages associated with those jobs.

• Based on survey data, bicycle- and pedestrian-related businesses brought in more than $56 million in revenue, generating more than 1,000 jobs and $26 million in associated wages.

• Forty major events related to biking and walking attracted more than 16,000 participants who brought with them 45,000 additional family and friends. The result? $9.5 million in revenue and 160 jobs which resulted in $4.7 million in wages.

• Using models from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, RSG calculated that the vehicle miles avoided by the 68 million miles walked and 28 million miles biked resulted in as much as $85 million in consumer and public health savings.

• RSG also cross-referenced the closing prices on real estate with the Walk Score of those locations. On average, the property values of homes in walkable neighborhoods were $6,500 higher than those in car-dependent areas. Add all those homes together and walkability added more than $350 million to the local economy.

Bottom line: In 2009, biking and walking created at least 1,400 jobs, $41 million in personal income (wages) and $83 million in revenue. In addition, the health and property value benefits could bump that up by more than $400 million. Now those are the kinds of numbers that get policymakers’ attention.

I’ll upload the presentation to the Alliance Resource Library soon.

In a new report, Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, the Alliance ranks all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities on bicycling and walking levels, safety, funding, and other factors.

This report comes at a critical moment, as Congress takes up the imminent passage of the next federal transportation bill, which dictates how billions of tax dollars will be spent over coming years. The Benchmarking Report reveals that, in nearly every city and state, pedestrians and bicyclists are disproportionately at risk of being killed, and currently receive less than a fair share of transportation dollars. While 12 percent of trips in the U.S. are by bike or foot, 14 percent of traffic fatalities are bicyclists and pedestrians. Pedestrian and bicycle projects receive less than 2 percent of federal transportation dollars.

“The Benchmarking Report shows that biking and walking are smart solutions to many of our country’s most pressing challenges when it comes to transportation, job creation and health,” Jeffrey Miller, Alliance President/CEO, says.

Click here to download the report and media fact sheet.

The report compiles persuasive evidence that bicycle and pedestrian projects create more jobs than highway projects, and provide at least three dollars of benefit for every dollar invested. The report also highlights the health benefits of active transportation, showing that states with the highest rates of bicycling and walking are also among those with the lowest rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. “The data points to one conclusion: Investing in biking and walking projects creates jobs, leads to more people biking and walking, and improves safety and public health,” Miller says.

John Pucher, a professor at Rutgers University, emphasizes: “The wide range of environmental, social, and economic benefits of walking and bicycling, so clearly documented in this report, justify greatly increased investment in facilities and programs to encourage more walking and cycling, and to improve the safety of these most sustainable of all transportation modes.”

The 2012 Benchmarking Report compiles important state and city rankings, including:

Other highlights from the report include:

• In 2009, 40% of trips in the United States were shorter than 2 miles, yet 87% of these trips are by car. Twenty-seven percent of trips were shorter than 1 mile. Still, Americans use their cars for 62% of these trips.
• While bicycling and walking fell 66% between 1960 and 2009, obesity levels increased 156%.
• Seniors are the most vulnerable bicyclists and pedestrians. Adults over 65 make up 10% of walking trips, yet comprise 19% of pedestrian fatalities. This age group accounts for 6% of bicycling trips, yet 10% of bicyclist fatalities.
• Bicycling and walking projects create 11-14 jobs per $1 million spent, compared to just 7 jobs created per $1 million spent on highway projects. Cost benefit analysis show that up to $11.80 in benefits can be gained for every $1 invested in bicycling and walking.
• On average, the largest 51 U.S. cities show a 29% increase in bicycle facilities since the 2010 report. Cities report that 20,908 miles of bicycle facilities and 7,079 miles of pedestrian facilities are planned for the coming years (much of this contingent upon funding).

Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and made possible through additional support from AARP and Planet Bike. To view rankings of the 50 states and 51 largest U.S. cities, and to download or purchase a hard copy of the report visit http://www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/benchmarking.

When I was 16 years old, my family moved from Bern, Switzerland to Houston, Texas. Talk about culture shock. While there’s a lot to celebrate about the Lone Star State, active transportation ain’t exactly on the short list.

But that’s changing fast — thanks to the efforts of a growing number of bike-ped advocates and supportive policymakers.

Last week, an Action 2020 Workshop in my previous hometown of Houston captured and built on that progressive energy. Presented by Advocacy Advance, a partnership of the Alliance and the League of American Bicyclists, the workshop attracted nearly 60 stakeholders from 41 different organizations to discuss how to increase funding for biking and walking across the Houston region.

Read a recap from Darren Flusche, policy analyst at the League of American Bicyclists, on the Advocacy Advance blog. Or check out the review from BikeHouston, one of the event hosts.

With more Action 2020 Workshops planned in the New Year, click here to see if Advocacy Advance is coming to your region.

The Alliance is finalizing the last details of the 2012 Benchmarking Report: Bicycling and Walking in the United States and invites you to join us as we prepare for a national release of the report in January.

The report contains data on the state of biking and walking in the 50 states and 51 largest U.S. cities including data on biking and walking levels, safety, funding, policies, advocacy, and programs.

The release of the report is an excellent opportunity for you to engage the media and local decision makers and let them know how your state or city stacks up. This report will reveal where your city or state is leading and where you fall behind. The report contains numbers and illustrations that will provide data in support of your efforts and help you advocate for a greater investment in biking and walking.

The Alliance is inviting advocates interested in working with us on a coordinated national release of the report to sign up for one of two information calls:

• December 13 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. EST
• January 11 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. EST

Those who sign up will receive a sneak-preview of the report. On the call we will review the report highlights, discuss media talking points, and answer questions.

If you can’t make either of these calls but want to get involved, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

As 2011 draws to a close, many of us are reflecting on the progress we’ve made this year. That progress is driven by individual leaders, advocacy organizations and business supporters working to transform their communities into better places to walk and bike.

Now is the time to show your gratitude for those who work so tirelessly to make our streets safer and more accessible for all.

The Alliance is now accepting nominations for our annual, national Advocacy Awards. Established in 2009, our awards program honors those who show exceptional leadership in advancing the bicycle and pedestrian movement. Categories for 2012 include:

• Advocate of the Year
• Advocacy Organization of the Year
• Business Advocate of the Year
• Winning Campaign of the Year
• Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm Award

Anyone can make a nomination — you don’t have to be part of an Alliance member organization — and the quick, easy, online submission form takes just a few minutes.

Do you know someone who deserves national recognition for his or her efforts? Did your local advocacy organization start or win an innovative or high-impact campaign this year? What corporate or business champions have invested in better biking and walking in your community? If you’re like me, a dozen people and a handful of groups just popped into your head. Show your appreciation by taking just a few moments to nominate them for an Advocacy Award.

Nominations are evaluated by Alliance staff, board and advocacy organization representatives, and the winners get some high-profile recognition. Each year, we host our Advocacy Awards reception on the first night of the National Bike Summit — and a couple hundred advocacy and industry leaders turn out for the big announcement.

Fionnuala Quinn, the recipient of an advocacy award in 2011 on behalf of the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (pictured, left) said: “Much of the work that advocates do is behind the scenes, so it was very unexpected but really appreciated to get recognition for our project. When we had conceived of the project, we had hoped that the end result would be a tool that could be used by other advocates working with public agencies, but it ended up turning into much more for us. To then receive public recognition gave us a boost in continuing our on-going work as we try to improve facilities and conditions for cyclists in our area. Receiving the recognition also allowed us to connect with many more people working in other communities to achieve the same goals and allowed us to exchange ideas and learn from their work too. We are grateful for being part of that supportive network.”

Honor someone in your community: Nominations will be accepted until December 18. To submit your nomination, click here.

As Open Streets initiatives continue to grow in both frequency and size across the continent, the Alliance for Biking & Walking and the Street Plans Collaborative launched OpenStreetsProject.org today to document the growth of these initiatives and provide resources to foster continued development. An accompanying best practices guide will be completed in the next few weeks and will be available for purchase as a hard copy or as a free download on the website.

Open Streets initiatives temporarily close streets to automobiles, allowing residents to walk, bike, skate, dance and utilize the roadways in countless creative and active ways. From Seattle to Miami, and Los Angeles to Ottawa, open streets initiatives have become a way for cities to build community, promote active transportation and reconnect neighborhoods divided by traffic.

“I’ve personally seen numerous Open Streets events in cities around the U.S. and, without fail, each of them has been tremendously inspirational,” Jeff Miller, Alliance President/CEO says. “Open Streets are not just an excellent way for cities to promote biking and walking; they inspire citizens to see their streets as public spaces.”

Open streets have exploded in popularity across North America in the past six years. In 2005 there were fewer than 10 documented initiatives across North America. Now there are more than 65, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants each year. OpenStreetsProject.org allows organizers to share information on their initiative and explore other initiatives across the continent. The site also provides helpful resources for organizers looking to start a new initiative or grow an existing initiative in their community.

“The Open Streets Project aims to support this exciting movement by providing advocates and organizers with a comprehensive overview of organizational and implementation strategies,” says Mike Lydon, Founding Principal of The Street Plans Collaborative. “The Project includes a significant, open source website intended to not only keep information current for all existing and future initiatives, but to also provide a free web presence for those communities who should focus their limited resources on implementation rather than building websites. In this way, we believe the Project will be a catalyst for the continued growth of the open streets movement.”

If your city or organization has information to share about an Open Streets initiative in your community, please contact Mike Samuelson, Alliance Member Services and Open Streets Coordinator, at (202) 449-9692 x7 or mike@PeoplePoweredMovement.org.

Residents of a Minnesota community are driving less and walking, biking and busing more — thanks to St. Paul Smart Trips’ efforts to promote sustainable transportation alternatives.

Since its inception in 2008, the Smart Trips program has used direct, individualized marketing techniques to help more than 3,000 households in three St. Paul communities make smarter trips. According to the follow-up survey of the most recent program in Highlands Park, residents…

• Increased biking by three percent
• Increased walking by five percent
• Reduced drive-alone trips by three percent

... all during a six-month period. Even more impressive: More than 80 percent of survey respondents reported taking new walking, biking or transit trips as a result of the program!

Smart Trips achieves these impressive results through direct mailings, bike deliveries of Smart Trip Kits and free events that engage households and get them the information they need to explore sustainable transportation options. “We’ve found that the more engaged neighborhood stakeholders are in the development and implementation of the program, the more successful it is,” says Program Director Emma Pachuta. “Each of our past programs has included a coupon book for neighborhood businesses and has engaged local experts to lead rides, walks and classes. These local connections have helped to foster an excitement and commitment to our program.”

Smart Trips also tailors each new program to suit the unique transportation needs of the target community. Highland Park has a high percentage of senior citizens, so Smart Trips held focus groups on the best ways to engage older residents.“Our results concluded that having events that included all members of the community, regardless of age, income, ethnicity, was the best way to engage residents in any neighborhood,” say Emma. “For example, a group ride would be advertised as a “no drop ride” where no one is left behind, regardless of pace.”

St. Paul Smart Trips envisions a future where sustainable transportation is a safe and easy choice for all St. Paul residents. They hope to bring the Smart Trips Program to every neighborhood. “For our future programs, we have discussed how lack of good bike/walk infrastructure, higher rates of crime, and language barriers may impact participation,” say Emma. “Thus far, the selected neighborhoods have been fairly similar to each other without the need to address those barriers.” So, right now, the advocates are looking at ways to adapt the model to serve the diverse needs and characteristics found across St. Paul neighborhoods.

For more information, contact Emma Pachuta at Emma@Smart-Trips.org, or visit the Alliance Resource Library to access Smart Trips final reports and maps.

Thanks to our partners at the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy for spreading the word about the positive outcome of the vote on the Rand Paul amendment we alerted you to last week.

According to RTC: Today, by a vote of 60 to 38, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment by U.S. Senator Rand Paul (Ky.) that would have shifted dedicated funding for walking and biking infrastructure to bridge repair, thus eliminating a hugely popular program that has been shown to create jobs and efficient transportation choices for millions of Americans for the past 20 years.

Thank you to everyone who contacted their Senators!

Read more on the RTC blog.

Online voting opens today for the 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest.

Presented by the Alliance for Biking & Walking, the contest has received more than 1,500 photo submissions from participants across the continent. Now you’re invited to help decide who will win an all-expenses-paid biking or walking trip to Italy and a host of other prizes.

The second People Powered Movement Photo Contest aims to both 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.

Starting today and running through November 30th, members of the public are invited to vote for their favorite photos on the contest website. Each participant can vote for up to 10 photos in each of the seven contest categories.

Once the public vote has nominated the contest finalists, 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, 10-day 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. All first-place photos will also be featured in a 2012 issue of Momentum magazine.

To view the photos and cast your vote, visit www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/PhotoContest

There’s just ONE DAY left to enter your best images of biking and walking in the 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest.

The submission period ends TODAY, October 31st, at midnight EDT. Don’t miss your chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip from VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations!

The 2011 Photo Contest aims to both 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. Categories include:

• Advocates in Action
• Biking
• Biking and Walking
• Diversity / Equity / Building an Inclusive Movement
• Open Streets / Ciclovias
• Walking
• Women

Additional entrants in the Women, Diversity and Open Streets categories are particularly encouraged!

Individuals can submit up to 20 photo entries via the contest website until midnight, TONIGHT, October 31. From November 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 TODAY at www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/PhotoContest

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at Carolyn@PeoplePoweredMovement.org.

Photo: You could win a biking (or walking) trip to Italy from VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations!

Imagine riding your bike through Tuscany, Italy — pedaling through picturesque medieval villages, cruising down country lanes lined with olive trees, hopping off your bike to explore white beaches and sip wine in local vineyards.

Picture yourself strapping on your walking shoes and traversing the cool, shaded hillsides of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, wandering through chestnut forests and lemon groves and learning culinary secrets from locals, with shimmering azure waters never out of view.

Well, here’s your chance to turn your best pictures of biking and walking into the trip of a lifetime!

The Alliance invites you to submit your images in the 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest. This contest aims to both 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. Categories include:

• Advocates in Action
• Biking
• Biking and Walking
• Diversity / Equity / Building an Inclusive Movement
• Open Streets / Ciclovias
• Walking
• Women

Additional entrants in the Women, Diversity and Open Streets categories are particularly encouraged!

Individuals can submit up to 20 photo entries via the contest website until October 31. From November 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 today at www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/PhotoContest

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at Carolyn@PeoplePoweredMovement.org.

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 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest today.

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:

• Women: Historically, men have far outnumbered women in active transportation in the U.S. - but that’s changing quickly. We want to see college women pedaling to class, female professionals using bike share to commute to work, mothers walking their kids to school, female advocates and engineers leading the charge to make their communities more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and more…

• Diversity / Equity / Building an Inclusive Movement: This category includes photos of the faces and efforts of the incredible diversity of people, from all racial and economic backgrounds, who walk and bike for transportation and recreation in their unique neighborhoods. Submit your images of Major Taylor Bicycle Club events, social justice rides, transportation equity rallies, outreach efforts to non-English-speaking communities, classes and bicycle giveaways at community cycling centers, recycle-a-bicycle programs and more…

• Open Streets / Ciclovias: Open Streets temporarily close streets to automobiles, allowing residents to walk, bike, skate, dance and utilize the roadways in countless creative and active ways. From Los Angeles to New York to Miami, Open Streets have become an effective and high-energy means to build community, promote active transportation and reconnect neighborhoods divided by traffic. We want to see how your community is engaging in this growing movement.

• Walking: Photos of walkers and pedestrians moving their feet for fitness or mobility.

• Advocates in Action: Images of biking and/or walking advocates making the case for active transportation.

• Biking: Photos that showcase the joy and utility of bicycling for transportation and recreation.

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.

Thanks to a new policy released today by the Federal Transit Administration, more money could flow to biking and walking facilities near transit stations.

The exciting change is mostly a matter of distance. Previously, the FTA allowed funding for biking and walking projects that benefited public transportation facilities if they were located within 1,500 feet of that transit location. Today’s announcement, dramatically widens the door for that funding.

According to the FTA: “All pedestrian improvements located within one-half mile and all bicycle improvements located within three miles of a public transportation stop or station shall have a de facto physical and functional relationship to public transportation.”

Read a full analysis from Darren Flusche over on the League of American Bicyclists blog.

With more than $8,000 in prizes for the winning entries, the Alliance invites all members of the public to submit their best images of biking and walking to the 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest.

The contest aims to both 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.

In 2009, more than 2,000 photographs were submitted in the first Alliance photo contest. Today marks the launch of the 2011 contest. Once again, categories include biking, walking, and advocates in action. New in 2011, the People Powered Movement Photo Contest invites photos in additional categories, including:

• Women
• Equity / Building an Inclusive Movement
• Open Streets (Ciclovias)

From August 1st to September 30th, individuals can submit up to 20 photo entries via the contest website. 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, to be announced in March 2012.

The overall grand prize is an all-expenses-paid, 10-day bike trip to Tuscany, 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
• Socks and subscriptions from Bicycle Times

All winning photos also will be featured in the March 2012 issue of Momentum magazine.

To learn more or enter, visit PeoplePoweredMovement.org/PhotoContest

The Alliance is happy to announce a request for proposals for our 2012 Winning Campaigns Trainings. Through a competitive process, we will select up to six communities to hold this must-attend training. All proposals must be submitted by August 15.

The Winning Campaigns Training is the signature training offered by the Alliance. Our proven curriculum helps biking and walking advocates choose, direct, and win various types of campaigns such as complete streets, share the road campaigns, infrastructure improvements, key legislation, and more. The training gives current and aspiring advocates the tools to craft and manage powerful campaigns. After two and a half days of fun and inspiring work with other leaders and advocacy experts, all participants leave with their own customized campaign blueprint and action plan to implement and win their campaign.

This is your opportunity to bring national bicycle and pedestrian advocates to your region to train your staff, board, volunteers, and other allies on how to win biking and walking campaigns in your community. In addition, you’ll have the chance to highlight your local/state successes and address your challenges, while sharing and learning from other advocates. Host organizations gain great exposure locally, regionally, and nationally. The Alliance awards a $1,000 stipend to host organizations in recognition of the assistance they provide in creating a successful training.

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition hosted a training this spring. “I was really excited about the opportunity to hone my advocacy skills and this program delivered,” says Mark Wyatt, the coalition’s executive director. “We’re thinking about campaigns in a much more strategic way than ever before.”

To send a proposal, complete the online application here. All proposals must be submitted by August 15. Any questions or request for feedback can be e-mailed to training@PeoplePoweredMovement.org by August 8.

We look forward to your proposals and working together to create successful trainings to advance pedestrian and bicycle advocacy in your community.

Photo: Smiling faces at the 2011 Winning Campaigns Training in Davenport, Iowa

This fall, your organization has the opportunity to be part of massive global mobilization. On September 24, thousands — maybe millions — of bicyclists will flood the streets of capitols from Beijing to Washington, DC.

The event is called Moving Planet and it’s the latest international rally hosted by 350.org, a climate campaign started by journalist Bill McKibben back in 2007. The name is a reference to 350 parts per million — the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere according to the latest science. (Current carbon dioxide levels are at 390ppm). Over the past two years, 350.org has organized some of the largest mobilizations in the planet’s history: 5,200 climate rallies in 182 countries in 2009 and 7,200 “work parties” in 188 countries in 2010.

With more than one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transportation sector, the international day of action on September 24 will focus on biking and walking.

“This year is going to be about movement in every sense of the word,” Bill McKibben wrote earlier this year. “Not just the big shoulder-to-shoulder campaign we’ve built together across the world these last two years, but also powerful, fun, dramatic movement in the streets.”

The momentum is building already. According to the latest update:

• In Denver, Colorado, local organizers are planning a bike ride that will tour a few area coal power plants, encouraging the utilities to shut them down, as well as taking to the statehouse to demand better bike infrastructure throughout the state.

• In Seattle, Washington, a massive coalition of faith groups, climate, environmental and transportation groups are coming together for a mass organizer training and a day of bike rides, kayaking, skateboarding and rallies, calling for no coal exports, and sustainable transportation in the Seattle area.

• In Ohio, organizers are putting together events in Akron, Columbus and Cincinnati, where we’re working with the Mayor’s office to hold a ciclovia bike rally through downtown.

Here at the Alliance, we’re gearing up for the Moving Planet mobilization in DC. But more importantly, we’re also partnering with 350.org to get the word out and help your group create or partner on events in your area. Luckily, these folks at 350.org know how to organize. They’ve already set up helpful links so you can find:

• Planning meetings in your community
• Campaign planning workshops in your region
• Resources, like logos and posters

We’ll keep you posted with updates, but, in the meantime, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with any questions and I’ll be sure to direct you to the right person at 350.org.

When an abandoned rail line near Richmond became an illegal dumping ground, the Virginia Bicycling Federation pitched in to clean up the trash. The PBS show, Virgina Currents, was rolling tape as volunteers hauled garbage bags and old furniture out of the woods. Soon, the debris-strewn area will be transformed into a 2.3-mile trail, luring joggers, walkers and cyclists. In the 10-minute segment, the host spoke with Champe Burnley, president of VBF.

Check out the beautiful footage of the trail site and the interview with Burnley in the video below. (Segment starts at the two-minute mark.)

“Virginia Currents” #1925 from Community Idea Stations on Vimeo.

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!

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.

PITTSBURGH – The bike advocacy group BikePGH just released Bike Commuting 101 to share with commuters the basics of bike commuting. The booklet explores topics like choosing a bike, how it should fit, riding safe, useful accessories, and general information that enhances the bike commuting experience. Culling the combined input of BikePGH’s staff and long time members the guide focuses on the essential elements of bike commuting using the themes of convenience, comfort and safety. Illustrated by local artist Glen Johnson the guide not only provides practical advice, but it also presents the city in a fun graphic style.

“Bike commuting is not and all-or-nothing choice” says Program Manager Louis Fineberg. “You can ease into it. Try it once a month, maybe eventually once a week. More than likely once you start you’ll realize the benefits immediately and you’ll want to bike to work regularly.”

Since it’s start in 2003 BikePGH has hosted bike commuting workshops.  The guide compliments the workshop or stands on its own as an informative reference for all levels of riders.

Bike Commuting 101, Car Free Fridays, and similar initiatives are part of BikePGH’s efforts to engage local employers in supporting workers who want to bike to their jobs. “A work environment that welcomes bike commuters sends a strong message about the values of your workplace and reinforces the idea that Pittsburgh is a city that provides a high quality of life”, adds Fineberg. “Biking to work is different than driving and it requires some planning.” BikePGH is developing a Bike Friendly Employer program to assist employers in meeting this growing need.

This first edition of the guide is free and available through BikePGH, the city’s Bike/Ped Coordinator, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, the Sprout Fund, and bike shops throughout Pittsburgh. Download or view the guide at http://www.bike-pgh.org/101. The guide’s official release will be during BikePGH’s annual member meeting on November 10th at the Union Project.

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