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Entries tagged: Ray Lahood

You know you’ve got a pretty good idea when the U.S. Secretary of Transportation immediately jumps on board. Well, just a few days after we announced the return of the 2 Mile Challenge, Secretary Ray LaHood threw his support behind the innovative competition.

The 2 Mile Challenge is CLIF BAR’s online effort to fight climate change by encouraging bicycle travel for short trips. In the U.S., 40 percent of all urban trips are two miles or less, but 90 percent of those short distances are made by automobile. For this year’s Challenge, CLIF BAR aims to replace 100,000 car trips - while donating $100,000 to bicycle advocacy and climate protection.

After a strong showing in 2010, the Alliance has been selected to lead the Gold Team, and we need your help to win $35,000 for local and state bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations! Here’s how you can take Ray LaHood’s advice and get involved:

• Go to http://www.2MileChallenge.com and join the Gold Team.
• Visit your profile each day and log all the miles you travel by bike. Every trip you take earns points for the Alliance! 
• Challenge your friends and share your progress through social media and you’ll earn even more points for the Gold Team.
• Continue to log your trips until October 31, 2011. 
• At the end of the competition the team with the most points will earn a $35,000 grant for its nonprofit.

Want to spread the word about the 2 Mile Challenge? Click here for a handy postcard, with basic information and tips, to forward to your friends or print for your coworkers.

The Gold Team is already going strong. We’ve traveled more than 65,000 miles and replaced 8,300 car trips — good enough for first place! And we’ve got a few notable names from the bike/ped world pedaling for the Alliance, including:

• Mia Birk, author of Joyride and principal at Alta Planning + Design
• Jim Sayer, executive director of the Adventure Cycling Association
• Musician Ben Sollee
• The staff at PUBLIC bikes

Join them by signing up for the 2 Mile Challenge today.

Ray LaHood doesn’t need to be convinced that biking and walking should be promoted as critical aspects of our transportation system. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation has shown enthusiastic commitment to active transportation projects since he was appointed to his post. But the bike-ped champion was duly impressed in a meeting with bicycle and pedestrian advocates earlier this week.

This afternoon, LaHood recapped the Tuesday gathering that included board members of America Bikes. In the positive post, the Secretary celebrated and circulated the new data they presented. The first study, which came from the Political Economy Research Institute, concluded that bicycle and pedestrian projects provide more job creation than other road construction. The second, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed that 67 percent of Americans support streets design that’s more conducive to active transportation.

“Putting the two studies together creates a powerful argument for continuing the Department of Transportation’s support for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects,” LaHood wrote in today’s blog. “Even as these investments increase mobility, they also generate economic growth. And, people are demanding them for their communities.”

Jeff Miller, Alliance President/CEO, attended the meeting and said LaHood recognized the power of advocates on the ground, who are driving that shift in public — and political — opinion. “LaHood recognized right away the importance of our grassroots work and what our organizations do to make a difference,” Jeff said. “He cited specifically the major victory we had with Representative LaTourette supporting Complete Streets, saying that such a 180-degree turnaround shows the power of the grassroots.”

But LaHood didn’t downplay the difficult days ahead, as Congress works on the next federal transportation bill in a tight, cost-cutting climate. “He said we’ve got our work cut out for us, but also reminded us that the President is still our ally and supports what we do,” Jeff said. “He also said we have strong support in the Senate and, even if the House does something drastic, we have that firewall of the Senate and President. Though, that doesn’t mean shouldn’t work hard on the House!”

But even faced with a challenge on Capitol Hill, LaHood expressed confidence in bike-ped advocates. “Bicycle and pedestrian activists have been very successful at achieving valuable safety gains for their stakeholders. Now is the time for advocates of cycling and walking to get into gear once again,” LaHood wrote. “Armed with the powerful arguments of energy conservation, environmental and health benefits, public demand — and now job creation and economic development — I am confident they will succeed.”

Read LaHood’s entire post here.

Photo: Secretary Ray LaHood, left, with Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists (Fast Lane Blog)

Blog contributed by Alliance intern Adam Levine. Photo courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists.

The long-awaited bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue opened in grand style yesterday.

A long list of dignitaries cut the ribbon and took off for a ride down the protected, center-lane route, including District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar.

Speaking to bicyclists and advocates from across the city, Fenty declared that “we believe there is room here for everyone—on four wheels, two wheels and on foot.” LaHood added that “America’s Mainstreet” is now “America’s Bikeway!”

The new bike lanes have been in flux for several months, opening and then closing to deal with technical glitches. “Before we officially opened the bike lanes, we wanted to make sure they provide safe areas for cyclists, motorists and pedestrians, and now I’m confident that they do,” explained Gabe Klein, the head of the DC Department of Transportation.

Pennsylvania Avenue is just the latest addition to DC’s network of bike lanes, which city officials hope to increase from 50 miles to 80 miles. The significance of the location, however, did not go unnoticed. “There is no better place for the District of Columbia to demonstrate its commitment to traffic safety than right here on America’s Main Street,” Fenty said.

On Friday, the Alliance staff joined several dozen advocates who pedaled a poster-sized thank-you card to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The letter, expressing support for LaHood’s recent policy statement on biking and walking, was signed by organizations in all 50 states — including many Alliance members.

Our arrival wasn’t without some fanfare: each of our bikes had to get the all-clear from drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs. But once our rides passed the canine inspection, we didn’t have to wait long for LaHood.

As he sauntered over to the crowd outside DOT, he asked us what we thought of the recently striped bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue. Jeremy Grandstaff, our members services director, was quick to pipe up. “They’re fantastic,” he told the Secretary. “And they should stay.” Mugging for the cameras, LaHood (pictured) pinned a hot-pink bicycle button on his lapel, grabbed a bike and hopped aboard.

When the cameras started rolling, Randy Neufeld — president of America Bikes and director of the SRAM Cycling Fund — was among the advocates to applaud LaHood’s vision for complete streets and safe routes to school. But, when the Secretary took the podium, he turned the tables. He wanted to say thank you to all the bike-ped organizations that, he said, are changing opinions on the Hill.

Here’s what he told us:

“I go to these meetings around the country and people say to me, ‘I’ve been reading about your goals and reading about what your priorities are and it looks like you care more about bikers than do about truckers; you care more about bikers than you do people who drive on the roads.’ And I tell people, the truth is that Americans want to get outdoors. They want to ride their bikes. They want to walk to work. They want the opportunity to get out of congestion and get out of their cars and have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors… If you have ideas about this, I know you won’t be bashful about sharing those, because I know you’re not bashful people. But we think it’s important to promote the idea of biking and walking and using these kinds of opportunities, whether it’s on the streets or on abandoned rail lines or some of the examples you’ve used. We’re grateful to you for your support, because what you have done, in terms of your blogs, in terms of what you’ve done using our blog and getting the message out, is really beginning to change attitudes on Capitol Hill. [Applause and bell ringing.] You know what a few members of Congress said about us when we stood on that table and applauded biking and put out our new biking policy. Well, a couple now have signed a letter of support for what we’re trying to do. You all made a difference and we appreciate that. And I know bikers all over America appreciate that, too. You’re going to have full partners here at DOT and we’re going to continue to do what we can and continue to take cues from all of you and whatever suggestions and ideas that you have for other things we ought to be doing. But biking is now part of DOT’s top policies and you all deserve a lot of credit for that .You have a lot of friends around here and we’re going to continue to partner with you and, in doing that, we’ll really make a difference.”

To see pictures of the event, visit the Alliance Flickr page.

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…

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…
1. More than 725 bicycle advocates, educators, enthusiasts, and industry leaders attended the 10th Annual National Bike Summit and had more than 425 scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill! That is approximately 600 more Bike Summit attendees than we had 10 years ago!

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