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.
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.
Just in time for the National Bike Summit, Congressman Blumenauer introduced legislation to make active transportation safer, easier, and more accessible. H.R. 4722 Active Community Transportation (ACT) Act of 2010 will help communities access funding for transportation options that improve community vitality, reduce global warming pollution, boost public health and create jobs in the process. “The ACT transportation grants will make it easier for people to get out of their vehicles and onto sidewalks or bikes, boosting heart rates and community vitality,” said Blumenauer.
H.R. 4722 will be included as one of the ASKS for the National Bike Summit next week. See the Bike Summit program with issue papers and ASKS here.
“Bicycling and walking have real potential to replace short car trips in communities across the country – and increasing active transportation has got to be good for individuals, communities and the nation,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League. “This visionary bill will help us realize that potential, economically, efficiently and effectively, and we thank Congressman Blumenauer and his colleagues for their leadership in bringing it forward.”
It is not too late to register for the Summit and be part of the Congressional Lobby Day. Register here for the Summit so you can personally ask your representatives to support the ACT act and a Bicycle Friendly America. 8144611261
For those of you getting hyped up for the National Bike Summit or just trying to get through winter, here is a (non-exhaustive) list of songs about bicycles. Enjoy.
$30 million would establish a federal transit safety oversight program
$ 1 billion a year for high speed rail funding
Commits to develop long term solutions to financing and performance
Administration seeks to integrate economic analysis and performance measurement in transportation planning to ensure tax dollars better targeted and spent.
Needs a program that “increases options, promotes s sustainable environment, and makes our economy more productive.”
States funding transportation with gas tax is unsustainable. Does not suggest alternative.
View the Department of Transportation Funding Highlights here.
Here’s a job description from our friends at America Bikes.
Job Title: Project Manager
Education: Bachelors Degree (BA, BS, etc.)
Location: Washington, District of Columbia – (negotiable)
Type: Temporary Full- time, Contract basis
Salary: $ 4-5,000 a month
Summary
America Bikes seeks an experienced full-time person for a 3-month research project on state and locally planned bicycle and pedestrian transportation projects. This position will work with America Bikes staff and board to create an online inventory of on-going and planned bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects from around the United States. The Project Manager would be responsible for populating this database by performing extensive outreach to state, regional and local governments, and the bicycle and pedestrian advocacy community.
America Bikes is a coalition of leaders from the bicycle community advocating for positive outcomes for bicycling in the federal transportation bill. Member organizations include: The Adventure Cycling Coalition, Alliance for Biking and Walking, Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, Bikes Belong, International Mountain Bicycling Association, League of American Bicyclists, National Center for Bicycling and Walking and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Primary Responsibilities
1) Consultation with web designer to best structure online database for state and local transportation official and advocate use.
2) Population of database through consistent and extensive outreach to state, regional and local government officials to publicize inventory and request input of bicycle and pedestrian projects planned for development.
3) Coordination of the data collection efforts of America Bikes coalition groups.
4) Production of documents explaining federal transportation funding process for use by advocates.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Extensive knowledge of State Department of Transportation organization, as well as processes for moving a project through the planning, engineering and construction phases.
- Knowledge and interest bicycle and pedestrian issues
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Experience in Excel and Word applications
- Familiarity with web-based programs
This is a contractor’s position and requires the individual to complete assignments on his/her own computer. All work done by the contractor will become the property of America Bikes.
Since this is a contract position, no benefits are included.
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