The League was beyond excited that Streetfilms attended the 10th annual National Bike Summit and documented from an advocates viewpoint what it is like to participate in an event that seems larger than us all – the bicycle movement. Watch “Voices from the National Bike Summit” below, get inspired, and we’ll see you next year at the 11th annual National Bike Summit.
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. Their staff provide invaluable logistical help and strategic guidance as we navigate the halls of power. 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 (starting on page 14 of the agenda) 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.
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.” Today, 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. You! 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.
When the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood stoodon atable at the National Bike Summit to thank the crowd and show his support for bicycling and walking, he was just getting started.
Today, I want to announce 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.
We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:
Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
Go beyond minimum design standards.
Collect data on walking and biking trips.
Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.
Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.
The Secretary ended by thanking the League of American Bicyclists, but we strongly thank him for his words, his energy, and now for his official policy statement. We agree that there is further to go and we look forward to working with the Secretary to get there.
Secretary LaHood speaks to the crowd at the League's National Bike Summit
Secretary Ray Lahood, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and League President Andy Clarke
The League would also like to thank the 700 people who came to Washington, DC to tell Congress how important bicycling is to this country.
The League of American Bicyclists was more than thrilled to have Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood join us at the Congressional Bike Reception on the third day of the National Bike Summit on March 11, 2010. We were even more excited with his support of bicycling as a vital part of America’s transportation system. LaHood blogged, “Bicycles are a critical part of a cleaner, greener future in American transportation, so keep those wheels spinning.” Below is a clip of LaHood’s blog Fast Lane, recapping his Bike Summit experience. Read LaHood’s whole post here.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of addressing the National Bike Summit. I was invited to speak as a member of the Obama administration, but I have been a supporter of bicycling for many years and was a member of the Congressional Bike Caucus when I was in Congress.
Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) graciously pedaled a League of American Bicyclists’ pedicab, sponsored by Planet Bike, on March 11th for the National Bike Summit Lobby Day. He took attendees and anyone else who needed a lift around the Capitol area for the afternoon. Checkout footage, courtesy of Politco magazine, below. Thank you Rep. Petri! We hope you had a great day riding bikes!
The League of American Bicyclists is proud to be the forum for Google to announce what all bike riders have been waiting for – Grab Your Bike and Go with Google Maps. Google is announcing at the Opening Plenary Session at the National Bike Summit that they are adding biking directions in the U.S. to Google Maps. “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. “We know people want to ride more, and we know it’s good for people and communities when they do ride more – this makes it possible. It is a game-changer, especially for those short trips that are the most polluting,”
Users can now choose biking when deciding how to get to their destination, starting today, March 10, 2010. If you’re one of the 57 million Americans who ride a bike, mapping your daily commute, and planning recreational or trail rides just became easier. According to Google this has been the most requested addition to Google Maps, and the League is delighted that they have chosen the National Bike Summit to unveil this new feature. Google’s announcement further proves the importance of the Summit and the bicycle movement in helping our nation become a more Bicycle Friendly America. The Google biking directions will make it that much easier for bicyclists to get to work, school or play.
This new feature includes: step-by-step bicycling directions; bike trails outlined directly on the map; and a new “Bicycling” layer that indicates bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly roads. The directions feature provides step-by-step, bike-specific routing suggestions – similar to the directions provided by our driving, walking, or public transit modes. Simply enter a start point and destination and select “Bicycling” from the drop-down menu. You will receive a route that is optimized for cycling, taking advantage of bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly streets and avoiding hilly terrain whenever possible.
Visit http://maps.google.com/biking to try out this new feature. Biking directions for Google Maps is currently in Beta. Follow the League’s news feed on the new Google feature on the League’s Blog, Facebook and Twitter. If you have any further questions, contact Meghan Cahill at 202.822.1333 or meghan@bikeleague.org. Also, download and share our press release here.
Salary: Negotiable, dependent on qualifications and experience
Date: February 16, 2010
Reports to: Executive Director
The League of American Bicyclists is hiring a membership manager. This is a hands-on job in a small organization that requires great attention to detail, a strong emphasis on customer service; and a love of bicycling. The job includes: prospect-to-member research, new and renewal member engagement, managing membership categories, implementation of campaigns and other various responsibilities that work to support the goals and objectives of League’s membership. We are at the beginning of an exciting (and long-awaited!) database transition, and this person would work closely with the transition team. The manager supervises a membership assistant. We are seeking a person with 2-5 years experience in membership, a college degree and the creativity to build an effective and engaged membership for the future. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. We offer competitive benefits, a fun working environment, and the opportunity to work for a cause in which you believe. Apply to Elizabeth Kiker at elizabeth@bikeleague.org or fax your resume to 202-822-1334.
The 2010 National Bike Summit kicks off in Washington, DC on March 9-11, 2010. So why should YOU be there?
We can think of a few good reasons: Do you care about having transportation choices? Do you want more bike lanes in your neighborhood? Are you a parent who wishes your kid could ride to school? Do you want to get out of your car and have a viable alternative for your commute? Or do you dream of a more livable community?
If these didn’t get you, consider that the Summit is an opportunity for advocates, industry suppliers and dealers, transportation planners, government officials, and bicycling enthusiasts to come together and make our voices heard on Capitol Hill. In the ten years that we’ve been advocating for cycling on Capitol Hill, bicycling has come a long way. The number of people riding is growing in almost every community in the US, and the time to talk to your representatives in Congress about what you’d like to see happen in your community is now. Come celebrate ten years of progress and register for the Summit now.
Don’t miss our Early Bird Deadline – Thursday,February 4, 2010 – to receive $100 off your registration!
The Club Leadership Training in Boca Raton, FL this past weekend was a big success! Bike club leaders from across the country met in 80 degree weather – a nice change for many of us – to share best practices, hear words of wisdom from great speakers, and enjoy a scenic ride along the coast.
The conference enjoyed a wide range in club locales; attendees hailed from Arizona, Colorado, Texas, South Carolina, D.C., Minnesota, Florida and so on. Most agreed that the highlight of the conference was simply networking and discussing how various issues were handled by each club – whether it was budgeting, attaining 501c 3 status, organizing rides, membership, or local advocacy.
One of the most popular presentations was the ever-complex issue of club insurance, offered by the League through American Specialty Insurance. Marla Peters, Sr. Vice President at American Specialty, explained the various kinds of coverage offered, the costs and benefits, and where and how to purchase. For the 2010 League Insurance Program information, go here.
Other popular sessions, Leader Transitions and Organizing Rides & Volunteers, were led by Mary Derks, past president of the Twin Cities Bicycling Club. Derk’s wealth of knowledge was evident: she gave great tips for succession plans, how to manage and maintain committees of key volunteers, and the importance of long-range planning. Check the League’s Club Leadership page next week to view these presentations.
It is four days before Christmas; and if you live in the mid-Atlantic/Northeast, you might be trapped in your house, surrounded by 20 inches of snow, and unable to visit the nearest mall. That might be a little disheartening if you haven’t had your chance to visit Santa and get your mall-Santa photo but fear not! The League of American Bicyclists has great, online gift ideas for you!
1) Buy your loved ones a bike! Purchase a Trek, and you will indirectly support the League. Trek graciously supports League programs and initiatives. As part of Trek’s One World, Two Wheels campaign, Trek donates $1 to the League’s Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program for every Trek helmet sold in the U.S., for a total three-year commitment of more than $1 million.
2) Give the gift of League membership! In addition to receiving the premier publication American Bicyclists for cyclists and bicycle advocates, education and industry leaders, your loved ones will become part of the growing bicycle movement, supporting a Bicycle Friendly America and will have access to advocacy updates and education opportunities. Learn more about the benefits of membership.
3) Jazz vocalist Alexis Cole has recently released her latest CD, The Greatest Gift. An interesting element to this release is that proceeds will benefit the World Bicycle Relief — an organization dedicated to providing bicycles to people in developing countries around the world. World Bicycle Relief allows these individuals access to transportation and promotes independence, empowerment, and sustainability. Listen to a track from the album here.
4) And finally, if you would like to give a gift to all of those who ride a bike in America, donate to the League. Protecting cyclists’ rights is absolutely critical. We need your help today to support the work of the League, and we can’t do it without you. Check out the League’s 2009 Report Card to see how your contributions have helped us deliver on the League’s mission.
Happy holidays from the League of American Bicyclists! Hopefully, you can enjoy a wintry ride!
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