League Co-Sponsoring Candidates Forum
What would you ask the presidential candidates about bicycling? The League wants to know! We are co-sponsoring A Presidential Candidates Forum on Transportation & Infrastructure at New York University on Jan. 31 at 8:30 a.m. As a sponsor, we can submit a list of questions for the moderator. Candidates and campaign representatives will discuss key issues affecting transportation and related infrastructure nationally. Confirmation has been received of representatives from Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign, Sen. Hillary Clinton’s, and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s campaign. Senator Gravel will attend. Participation is being updated continuously: find out more here: www.wagner.nyu.edu/rudincenter/conference. E-mail your question ideas to walter@bikeleague.org.
FHWA Releases New Numbers
The Federal Highway Administration’s website has posted FY07 figures for expenditure of Federal funds on bike/ped projects. www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/bipedfund.htm. After two years of slight declines (2005-2006), the number shot up in 2007 from $395 million to $564 million with sizable increases in TE, CMAQ, and STP funding going to bike/ped projects. Also of note, the first appearance of obligations for Safe Routes to School and nonmotorized pilot project funding. The investment in Highway Safety Improvement program funds that went to bike/ped projects was very small: just $900,000. That works out to a tiny $17,500 per state, or $1,200 per cyclist killed (in 2006) or $0.03 per person.
League Announces 2008 Clubs of the Year
The League has announced the 2008 Clubs/Advocacy Organizations. There is one award given per region, and the clubs are chosen by the regional board member. Congrats to the winners, and thanks!
Region 1. Granite State Wheelmen (New Hampshire) This club is a long-time supporter of the League with a large and active membership. The GSW recently helped launch a statewide advocacy group that has already introduced legislation to update the state’s vehicle code.
Region 2. Jersey Shore Touring Society (New Jersey) This newly incorporated club has 220 members and supports numerous charity rides and activities.
Region 3. Kickin’ Asphalt Bicycle Club (South Carolina) This is a new club with 60 members and a very active ride schedule (with a great name) in Hilton Head.
Region 4. Schaumburg Bicycle Club (Illinois) The Schaumburg Bicycle Club, with the leadership of Freda Brown, has embraced the League's Bicycle Friendly Community program, and flies the flag for the League at events throughout the region.
Region 5. Helena Bicycle Club (Montana) This active club is a long-time supporter of the League, and has developed exciting new rides and events to draw in new riders.
Region 6. Yaquina Wheels Bicycle Club (Oregon) This club vocally and strongly supports the League in central Oregon, has a busy ride schedule, and stays involved in local bike issues.
New MUTCD Up for Review
FHWA has placed the proposed content for the new edition of the MUTCD up on their Web site at mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/proposed_amend/index.htm for public review and comment. The docket number is 28977, and comments are accepted at www.regulations.gov. The League’s contact on the committee, Richard Moeur, has worked hard on this edition for years. If you have any questions, contact him at rcmoeur@aol.com.
PBIC Releases Newly Redesigned Web Site
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center has launched its redesigned bicycling Web site at www.bicyclinginfo.org. New features of the site include: A centralized, Web-based Library of bicycling-related materials and documents compiled by practitioners and researchers; and a searchable database of FAQs pertaining to bicycle safety. There is also a searchable database of upcoming events and training opportunities; a compilation of downloadable bike maps from around the country; and a newsroom with PBIC press releases, resources for the media and recent news articles. Users can also sign up to received email updates and news from the Center.
League Works to Build BFCs in Virginia
The League's Executive Director Andy Clarke and Director of Bicycle Friendly Communities Bill Nesper traveled last week to southwestern Virginia to lead two communities in Bicycle Friendly Community workshops. This bicycle-friendly tour kicked off in Roanoke with a presentation to the Roanoke City Council and a workshop focusing on how the community could improve. The event, hosted by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, was attended by more 70 people. See more at: www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/146150. Clarke and Nesper then went to Martinsville, Va. to meet with city and county officials and citizens on creating a bicycle-friendly Martinsville-Henry County. The day's events were hosted by Activate Martinsville-Henry County, a three-year initiative aimed at improving the quality of life and economic strength of Martinsville-Henry County. Read more at www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=12224
Boston Bike Summit Yields Tangible Result
After hosting and attending the Boston Bikes Summit this past October, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino will include a specific point on bicycling in his State of the City Address on January 15, 2008. A large gathering of cyclists will be a powerful and positive way to demonstrate support, and it will certainly be noticed. To find out more about attending, email Nicole Freedman at Nicole.Freedman.bra@cityofboston.gov.
Need 2008 Reading Material?
J. Harry Wray is a cyclist and Professor of Political Science at DePaul University in Chicago who practices what he teaches. Each year Harry teaches a course in which he and his students ride throughout Chicago – learning how politics and the environment combine to affect the city’s culture. In his new book, Pedal Power, Harry has expanded on these lessons to examine how cycling has organized itself across this country and internationally through the grassroots efforts of so many wonderful people. Buy it online at www.paradigmpublisher.com.
Chicagoland Looking for Sr. Trans. Planner
The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is looking for a full time Senior Transportation Planner to lead the national’s premier bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization’s planning and technical assistance consulting efforts. The ideal candidate should be excited to take an entrepreneurial approach to planning that melds professional top-notch technical assistance with a strong voice for promoting non-motorized transportation. This is not a starting level position. For a complete description visit: www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=1402_0_3_0_C
SRTS Seeks Policy Manager
The non-profit Bikes Belong Foundation is looking for an energetic and dynamic professional with at least four-to-five years proven success in a senior advocacy/policy/legislative position to work with the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Partnership as our Policy Manager. The Policy Manager will work on government relations, lobbying, policy research and analysis, and report writing to advance the SRTS national movement. Submit a cover letter, resume, and three writing samples in one PDF document to: Deb Hubsmith, Director, SRTS National Partnership, at deb@saferoutespartnership.org.
Don't Forget to Vote
The future of the League’s board of directors is being decided now: Four elections are currently being voted on. Log on (with your member number) at www.bikeleague.org and make your voice heard today!