Dear Elizabeth,
You can imagine that we get to hear about a lot of great rides for a lot of great causes, and always wish we could do more to help! One perfect example is the Road to Recovery program, which just wrapped up a ride from San Antonio to Dallas. The rides raise funds and awareness for VA programs that help wounded veterans recover and rehabilitate by getting on a bike. Next up is a ride right in our back yard that I'll be joining, starting Memorial Day in DC and heading down to Virginia Beach.
Sincerely,
Andy Clarke,
President
|
U.S. Experts Urge Health Reform in Schools, Cities
According to a report commissioned by the nonprofit Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, experts agree that the government should broaden its efforts to overhaul the U.S. health care system to include steps that provide better access to good food and recreation. Rather than an intense focus on just how much it costs to treat the sick, more work must be done in schools and cities to give people better access to nutritious food and places to exercise. "While getting coverage to all Americans is a very important goal ... it turns out that programs that may have the biggest impact on our health are programs that we don't think about as being healthcare programs at all," said Dr. Mark McClellan, co-chair of the group's report. Read more.
"Physical inactivity is the most emergent public health problem of our time, apparent through the prevalence of chronic diseases and obesity." Read more.
|
Metropolitan Areas Have Relatively
Small Carbon Footprints
America's carbon footprint is expanding. America's settlement area is widening, along with a growing population and an expanding economy. Americans are driving more, building more, consuming more energy and emitting more carbon. Metropolitan America is poised to play a leadership role in addressing these energy and environmental challenges. Additionally, urban environments are enacting programs and legislation to improve their affects on the the environment. A 2008 report by the Brookings Institution found that the average American in a metropolitan area has a carbon footprint of 8.21 tons - 14 percent less than the average American living outside the city. However, federal policy actions are needed to achieve the full potential of metropolitan energy and climate solutions. Read more.
|
Support Florida's Office of Greenways & Trails
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) announced devastating cuts to Florida's nationally renowned Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) and other FDEP programs. This proposal will slash 33 percent from OGT's budget; kill the Greenways and Trails Council, and; eliminate 84 percent of the OGT Tallahassee Office staff. This measure threatens nearly $50 million of development money for Florida's future trails by eliminating the positions that are responsible for administering these funds. Click here for more info and to speak up for Florida.
|
Minnesota Bike Summit
The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota is pleased to announce that the second annual Minnesota Bike Summit will be held on April 25, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Quality Bicycle Products, 6400 W. 105th Street, Bloomington, MN 55438. The exciting program this year features three guest speakers.
- Skip Humphrey, AARP Board Member, will speak about why AARP and their 40 million members are into Complete Streets and Active Living programs that include bicycling.
- Tim Mitchell, the new Mn/DOT State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, will discuss how bicycling and walking fit into the state transportation plan.
- Steve Clark, Transit for Livable Communities Walking and Bicycling Program Manager, will speak about the 12 Strategies to Improve Conditions for Cycling.
Seating is limited. Please RSVP to info@bikemn.org. |
2009 Pennsylvania Bike Summit
Pennsylvania bicyclists are participating in a Bike Ride and Rally at the State Capitol on May 5th to celebrate Bike Month and influence policy makers. Details will be available at Lebanon Valley Bicycle Club. This event has been organized by PA Walks and Bikes, a collaborative effort of the regional advocacy groups, which promotes all bicycling - road, trails, mountain biking, racing. Pennsylvania bicyclists need a greater presence at the state level to promote better and safer accommodations including safe distance passing legislation. The May 5th Ride and Rally is the kick off event to usher in a new era of bicycling advocacy in Pennsylvania.
|
Grand Opening of the Allegrippis Trail System
After seven years of planning and construction and more than 2,300 volunteer hours, the Alleghenies is excited to announce the 30+ mile stacked loop Allegrippis trail system. The Allegrippis trail system is one of IMBA's single biggest builds ever-for trail mileage and the number of trails. The Grand Opening will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please RSVP by April 15 to Kira Walters at 412.402.0104 or at kira.walters@mullen.com.
|
|
Smart Cycling Conference 2009
The Smart Cycling Conference is ramping up, and it is destined to  be a great one. The League's education program is in the middle of a complete overhaul. Since 2008, we've launched Traffic Skills 101, Traffic Skills 201, Group Riding, and completely revised our Commuter Student curriculum. What's left? Everything! Our kids manuals need to be redone, and our entire League Cycling Instructor Curriculum has to be overhauled. And we need your help!
Come to San Jose this summer to talk about the best way to teach cyclists; to help the League continue to improve our curricula; and to hear news and updates from the foremost cycling educators in the world.
We've lowered our fees by more than 30 percent this year. All fees increase by $100 after the earlybird deadline of May 1.
Register today!
|
Bike Month
The League is the official site of everything Bike Month. We are  promoting Bike to-Work Week from May 11-15 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 15. Need some ideas? Use the League's Bike Month Guide to learn how to get started promoting your event. Additionally, our Bike Month events page is updated frequently. Check it often to see what Bike Month and Bike to Work week events are going on in your community. If you would like to submit your event information to be posted on our site, email it to communication@bikeleague.org. Please make sure you write, "Bike Month Event" in the subject line of the email.
|
|
East Coast Greenway Association
The East Coast Greenway Association bids farewell to long-time Executive Director and founder Karen Votava - and is looking for a new ED to take over the reins.
|
The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.
|
|
|
|
|
League 2009 Rally
Weekend on Wheels 2009 in Twin Cities, Minn. will be the host for the League's 2009 National Bike Rally.
Click here for further information.
|
|
Help protect the rights of cyclists across the nation:
Donate today!
|
|
