Last Call for the National Bike Summit!
One week from now, hundreds of League members, bicycle advocates, industry leaders, bike dealers and elected officials will gather in Washington, D.C. for what is shaping up to be the biggest Bike Summit on record. There’s still time to make your voice heard – and to hear from some incredible speakers, including: David A. Jones Jr., Chairman of the Board of Humana, 110th on Fortune’s list of largest U.S. companies; The Honorable Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service; Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams; Representatives Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR); Bill Millar, President of the American Public Transportation Association; John Horsley, Executive Director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; and bicycling policy and industry experts. Check out the Summit agenda and register today at www.bikeleague.org.
Let Levi Ride
Three days before the Tour of California kicked off in Palo Alto last weekend, Jeff Selzer of Palo Alto Bicycles and other area bike dealers hosted a function to benefit the League at which Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner spoke. Both members of the Astana Team, they had just heard that their new team was to be barred from competing in the Tour de France this year. Leipheimer, who then won the Tour of California for the second year in a row, and the team have set up www.letleviride.com to enable fans of bike racing to voice their support for letting the team ride – Astana riders include last year’s Tour winner, Alberto Contador and Leipheimer, who finished third.
News from Around the Globe
Melbourne, Australia Tracks Cyclists
After Melbourne passed a Bike Plan 2007-2011, the city committed to having an annual Melbourne Bicycle Account, modeled on the Copenhagen Bicycle Account. It is a summary of cyclist behavior, a snapshot of infrastructure and safety standards and a cyclist opinion survey. And the first one, for 2007, is now available on the Internet! Melbourne’s bike culture has strengthened in recent years. Cyclists accounted for almost 8 per cent of all morning peak (7 a.m. to 10 a.m.) vehicles on particular roads in 2007, up from 4 per cent in 2006.
Assessing Cycling in the Netherlands
You've heard the stories and seen the pictures; now read the report. Cycling accounts for 27 percent of all trips in the Netherlands, and a comprehensive report on cycling in the Netherlands in now available online. From the introduction: "A direct link is visible in the Netherlands between bicycle policy and bicycle use. In the first place, good bicycle facilities are a necessity to facilitate the many cyclists. These good bicycle facilities keep bicycle use high and continue to grow. High cycle usage also means that many citizens enjoy a good cycling climate."
British Implement Exciting Cycling Plans
London will adopt a bicycle hire scheme similar to a popular initiative in Paris under a $1 billion (513 million pound) cycling investment package announced by the mayor two weeks ago. Under the plan, 6,000 bicycles will be available for hire from ranks every 600 feet throughout the city center. Other aspects of the scheme include 13 new cycling superhighways and exclusive cycle zones and more bike parking facilities at underground stations across the capital.
Cycling, State by State
Pending Bills in Maryland, Vermont
In addition to our state roundup published in the last Summit e-news, two more states have bicycle related bills in the hopper.
Maryland
In Maryland, there are currently six bills being supported by One Less Car. From a 3-foot passing law to the current total prohibition of bicyclists and pedestrians on the state's bridges and tunnels (and how it can be changed), Maryland cyclists have a lot to talk to their legislators about right now.
Vermont
There are three urgent issues facing Vermont cyclists: a 9 percent cut in funding for the state's Bicycle and Transportation Program, the State Senators' opposition to the 3-foot passing law, and the long awaited bike/ped policy plan does not take any comments made by interested Vermonters under consideration. Take action on any or all of these issues at www.vtbikeped.org.
In Other News ...
Bicycle Friendly Community Deadline Approaching
The next deadline for your community to apply to be designated as Bicycle Friendly is March 21. The March/April issue of American Bicyclist (in your mail soon) will take you through the application process -- so even if you miss this one, you can apply in time for an August designation. Click here to find out more about the BFC program, which is generously sponsored by Bikes Belong and Trek's One World Two Wheels program.
Become a League Cycling Instructor!
Becoming a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) certified to teach BikeEd is a great way to help cyclists in your community. Certified instructors can teach BikeEd classes to children as well as adults. Help bring the joy of safe cycling to others. If you are an experienced cyclist and would like to teach others, consider taking the next step towards certification. Instructors are trained at seminars held periodically throughout the year. Click here to find out more.
Arlington, Va. Seeks Bike/Ped Planner
Arlington, Va. is hiring a bike and pedestrian planner. This individual will help the community in its goals to become a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community and to be even more walkable. This employee is responsible for: developing and managing bicycle and pedestrian-facility projects; serving as a resource within county government on bicycle and pedestrian-related matters; and making presentations to elected officials, advisory groups, public agencies, and citizen organizations. Arlington has recently received a Silver Level award from the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Communities program and has been recognized as America’s “Most Walkable Community” by the American Podiatry Association. The job posting is available here under Engineering.
