Dear Elizabeth,
We are off and running even as the Secretary of Transportation called for an 18-month extension to prevent the highway trust fund from running out of money. Today, June 22, 2009, Chairman James L. Oberstar and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced the committee print of the next Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009. Read complete details below.
Sincerely,
Andy Clark
President, League of American Bicyclists
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Pedestrians, Cyclists Among Main Road Traffic Crash Victims
The Wolrd Health Organization conducted its first global assessment of road safety and found that almost half of the estimated 1.27 million people who die in road traffic crashes every year are pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists. While progress has been made towards protecting people in cars, the needs of pedestrians and cyclists are not being met. The Global Status Report on Road safety, published last week, June 14, 2009, provides the first worldwide analysis of how well countries are implementing a number of effective road safety measures. Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the report presents information from 178 countries, accounting for over 98 percent of the world's population. Read more.
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Transportation Bill Released
Today, June 22, 2009, Chairman James L. Oberstar and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced the committee print of the next Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009. The Highway and Transit Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure committee is meeting on Wednesday, June 24 to mark up the bill. The Mark-up will be at 11:00 am EST and will be webcast. Stay posted for webcast link. The completed bill will be introduced at a later date.
Chairman Oberstar unveiled the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Transportation Blueprint on June 18, 2009. The League and the America Bikes Coalition were quite encouraged by many of the elements contained in the authorization blueprint, such as establishing the Office of Livability, improving data and research, establishing the US Bike Route System, and emphasizing Comprehensive Street Design. We will be working to review the Committee Report to ensure those elements are still contained within the legislation.
We expect to have a more in-depth analysis in the next few days.
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Obama Administration's Livable
Communities Initiative
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced an interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities to help improve access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide. Read more.
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LaHood Asks For 18-Month Extension on
Existing Transportation Law
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called on Congress June 17, 2009, to "face reality" and extend the existing federal transportation law for 18 months, averting the coming insolvency of the nation's highway trust fund while delaying broad-based transportation reform and providing Congress with "the time it needs to fully deliberate the direction of America's transportation priorities." The Secretary's proposal is available in further detail on U.S. DOT's blog, Fast Lane.
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$10 Million in First EPA Grants to Develop Climate Change Showcase Communities
EPA is announcing the availability of up to $10 million in first-of-its-kind, "Climate Showcase Communities" grants to local and tribal governments to establish and implement climate change initiatives that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The agency expects to award approximately 30 cooperative agreements, each one ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. Approximately 5 percent of the funds are set-asides for tribal governments. EPA requests proposals from local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and inter-tribal consortia to create replicable models of sustainable community action, generate cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions, and improve the environmental, economic, public health, and social conditions in a community. Proposals are due by July 22, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Grants are expected to be awarded in January 2010.
Additional grant information
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City of Portland Recognized by Travel Portland
Travel Portland announced they are presenting the City of  Portland with their top tourism promotion award at the 30th annual Tourism and Hospitality Industry Awards Celebration being held next week at the Oregon Convention Center. Travel Portland will give Portland the award for its work in "creating and sustaining a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community."According to Travel Portland, the award recognizes the, "top overall contribution to the region's visitor profile."
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Motorist Plan to Disrupt Colorado Bicycle Tour
The Sunrise Century, which is in its third year, is expecting 1,500 riders to travel from Boulder to Lyons before turning south along the Peak to Peak Highway and descending through Left Hand Canyon. However, they should expect to be disrupted this year. Fliers have been circulating in the area of Left Hand Canyon, north of Boulder. The flier carries a title of: "Civil Disobedience, July 25th Block Dangerous Cyclist Day, Boulder, CO." Read the Civil Disobedience flier. Source dailycamera.com.
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N.J. Bicyclists May Get Three Feet
New Jersey Senator Steven Oroho, (R-Sussex), introduced a three-foot passing bill with Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson) into the state legislature on March 16, 2009. "Hopefully, this bill will make people more aware of bicyclists on the road," stated Oroho. If approved, New Jersey would become one of the few states to have a three-foot buffer law for bike riders. Contact your area New Jersey lawmakers in support of the three-foot bill. View he Assembly version of the bill.
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Columbia, Mo. Passes Bicyclist Harassment Law
According to the ordinance titled Sec. 16-145, a person commits the offense of harassment of a bicyclist, a Class a misdemeanor, if the person: knowingly throws an object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle; or threatens any person riding a bicycle for the purpose of frightening or disturbing the person riding the bicycle; or sounds a horn, shouts or otherwise directs sound toward any person riding a bicycle for the purpose of frightening or disturbing the person riding the bicycle; or knowingly engages in conduct that creates a risk of death or serious physical injury to the person riding a bicycle. Read more.
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Louisiana Passes Colin Goodier
Bicycle Protection Act
Exactly seven years after the deaths of cyclists Timmy Cappo and Steve Seiden on River Road in Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Senate passed HB 725, the Colin Goodier Bicycle Protection Act, by a vote of 37-0. The bill now awaits the Governor's signature. Louisiana Governor Jindal is believed to be in favor of the bill.
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League 2009 Rally
 Registration is now open for Weekend on Wheels
2009 - the League National Rally of Bicyclists. The Twin Cities Bicycling Club, in partnership with the League and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, is the proud host of the National Rally at the annual WOW event, July 31 through August 2 in Winona, Minn.
The weekend is jam-packed with activities. There will be three full days of riding with route support and full-service rest stops. Routes will be from 25 to 62 miles Friday and Sunday, and 25 to 100 miles on Saturday. For mountain bikers, check out the great trails around Winona on Saturday afternoon.
Go to www.bikewow.org for more information.
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Drive Smarter Challenge
 According to the Drive Smarter Challenge, if you cut your vehicle miles traveled by 5 percent through combining trips, walking, biking or taking public transportation, you can save $65 per year on gasoline. Imagine how much you would save if you commuted by bike every day! View driver smarter tips here.
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Road Rage Study - Where Does your City Rank?
For the first time in four years, a new city claims the title as the worst in the U.S. for road rage. New York has unseated Miami as the least courteous city, according to the fourth annual In the Driver's Seat Road Rage Survey. The Big Apple moved up from its number three ranking last year to claim the first place distinction. Rounding out the five worst cities for road rage are Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The survey also named a new city as the most courteous. Portland, Ore., took the top spot, moving up from number two last year. It was followed by Cleveland, Baltimore, Sacramento and Pittsburgh. Read more.
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Zip Car Low-Car-Diet 2009
 Zip Car's Low-Car Diet kicks off on July 15th and runs until August 13th. The challenge: for 30 days, put down your keys, dust off your bike, trike or roller skates and find out what the Zipcar way of life is all about. In 2008, participants of the Low-Car Diet biked 136 percent more than before the diet. If you or anyone you know is interested in participating, use the Low-Car Diet online application. Visit Zip Car to learn more. Read 2008's Low-Car Diet highlights.
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Cascade Bicycle Club Launches
Cycling Safety Web Site
A new cycling safety web site, Bikewise, was launched this June by Cascade Bicycle Club. Bikewise provides a venue for cyclists to track and report crashes, hazards and thefts in order to maintain and improve cyclists' safety on the road. Currently, the user-generated content on Bikewise is focused on the greater Puget Sound area, but cyclists around the world can access and update it with their own information. Track cycling safety in your area!
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League Job Opportunity
The League is hiring a Membership Director. The primary objective of this position is to manage all functions related to membership, including but not limited to the recruitment, retention and engagement of members. Read more.
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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.
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Help protect the rights of cyclists across the nation:
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