Peoria Republican congressman Ray LaHood has been named Transportation Secretary for the Obama Administration. The nomination of LaHood would fulfill Obama's promise to name a Republican to his cabinet with an ideological moderate who has a well-established reputation for bipartisanship and efforts to encourage civil discourse in Congress. (swamppolitics.com)

"During his time in Congress, LaHood was generally supportive of bicycling and walking issues," said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. "He wasn't a champion of our issues like Reps. Oberstar and Blumenauer, but he consistently stuck up for the transportation enhancement program when it was under threat from other Republicans, and actively supported local trail and bike/pedestrian projects in his District."For more information, click here to visit the League of Illinois Bicyclists' site.

The League of American Bicyclists is happy to announce that Accor Services, a leading provider of transportation benefits and commuter solutions in the United States, is ready to implement the bicycle provision as part of their Commuter Check program. Interested employers and employees can get more information and sign up for the program by visiting the Accor Services website here.

Congress is currently working to draft an economic stimulus package to have ready when the new Congress returns in early January. While public details of the forthcoming stimulus bill are not readily available, we are hearing that there is a chance that funds for transportation and infrastructure projects in the stimulus package may go overwhelmingly to road projects-the same unbalanced strategy that has created our existing transportation problems. The League of American Bicyclists is working very closely with other members of the America Bikes Coalition to ensure that the transportation and infrastructure funding in the stimulus will be made in a balanced way across all modes of transportation. Visit bikeleague.org for more information.

New research illustrates the health benefits of regular biking, walking or taking public transportation to work, school or shopping. Researchers found a link between "active transportation" and less obesity in 17 industrialized countries across Europe, North America and Australia. "Countries with the highest levels of active transportation generally had the lowest obesity rates," authors David Bassett of the University of Tennessee and John Pucher of Rutgers University conclude. Read entire article at The Washington Post.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has thrown three road blocks at London cyclists since this November and has bikers questioning the Mayor's promise of turning London into a city of cyclists. First he cut London's cycling budget by half, then agreed to allow motorcycles to mix in with cyclists in bus lanes, and then recently announced to cut the Western London Congestion charge.
Read entire article at Cycling Weekly.

Travel Oregon has decided to invest in a major new website that will be devoted to biking in Oregon. A committee to help map out the objectives and oversee design of the site met at the offices of Cycle Oregon in North Portland last week. The committee includes a who's-who of Oregon bike advocates including; newly hired State of Oregon Bicycle Recreation Coordinator Alexandra Phillips, Oregon Bicycle Racing Association Executive Director Kenji Sugahara, Jill Van Winkle with the International Mountain Bicycling Association, PDOT veteran and bike touring specialist Jeff Smith, Cycle Oregon ride director Jerry Norquist, BTA Executive Director Scott Bricker, Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves, and others.

Travel Oregon's Chief Strategic Officer Scott West said biking is perfectly aligned with many of their top goals including their "sustainability agenda" and geotourism. According to West, cycling is part of a $1 billion outdoor tourism market in Oregon. The site is expected to launch in beta form in mid-April at the annual Oregon Bike Tourism Summit.
Reprinted from BikePortland.org.

The Bicycle Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 passed December 16th by DC City Council. The bill was introduced by Councilman Jim Graham in October and contains key protections for cyclists. The bill was a response to the death of cyclist Alice Swanson earlier this year after she was hit by a heavy duty vehicle in Dupont Circle.
Click here for additional information.

The new law contains the following:
1)  A requirement that blind spot mirrors be installed on all DC owned heavy duty vehicles
2)  New bicyclist and pedestrian awareness training for DC heavy vehicle operators
3)  A new law requiring that motorists give three feet of space when passing cyclists
4)  A fine for the use of restricted lanes (bus/bike lanes or bike
lanes) by unauthorized vehicles

New bike infrastructure in New York City is at risk as the City Council and Mayor Bloomberg revise spending projections. Speaker Christine Quinn and the City Council released $495 million in proposed budget cuts over the next two years, including an item that would slash spending on bike network expansion in half. DOT's bike network funds would drop from $9.6 million to $4.8 million in 2009, and from $11 million to $5.5 million in 2010. A spokesman for Speaker Quinn's office did not specify why the bike network was targeted for spending cuts, saying only that painful steps were necessary to close the city's budget gap. Click here for details. Click here for NYC 2009 budget cuts. Go to Agcy #841 on page 3.

Kansas City, Mo. is considering funding for four priority trail and bicycle projects, and public input is needed to let the city know that these projects are worthy of being funded. If you are a Kansas City resident, please send a letter to your representative to support this initiative. Click here for details.

Where the money will be used:
*Update the Bike KC master plan
*Connect the Trolley Track and Indian Creek Trails

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington (BAW) has created a new position - Development Director. The BAW is a statewide non profit advocacy organization dedicated to promoting bicycling and bicyclists interest. The primary duty of this position will be to oversee the organization's fund raising programs. Click here for more information.

Help Los Angeles, California work toward the goal of making the city bicycle friendly. LADOT is looking for a new bike coordinator to join Senior Bike Coordinator Michelle Mowery's team. Click here for more information. Click here for the application.

The League Mission: To promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.