National News
Conference of Mayors Adopts Bicycling Resolution
This morning, June 23, the Conference of Mayors passed and adopted a resolution that bicycling should be integrated into the United States’ transportation, climate, energy and health policy initiatives. It got widespread support from the mayors, including more than 25 mayors who signed on to co-sponsors the bill. Chris Koos, the mayor of Normal, Ill., originated the popular resolution. To read the resolution, click here.
Join the League at Our National Rally
Are you still looking for reasons to sign up for the League’s 2008 Annual Rally in Maine? Look no further. The group at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has assembled the top twenty reasons to attend the rally --- including the fantastic food, great company, and the chance to bike to an outdoor movie theater. Read all about the rides and more by clicking here—then register today!
Sunday Parkway Events a Worldwide Success
Portland, Ore. just completed its first Sunday Parkway event (read more at BikePortland.org). These events, which will be coming soon to a city near you, is when a city closes down several streets and opens them up to pedestrians and cyclists. Cities around the world are planning these events. Baltimore, Md. will have Sunday Streets this spring for four Sundays in April and May. New York will launch one as well this August on three Saturdays (9, 16, 23). Ottawa, Ontario has had one for many years, called Sunday Bikedays, and Cleveland, Ohio is holding a Walk and Roll Ciclovia on July 19 and August 24. Chicago is piloting their Sunday Parkways event on October 5 and 26, 2008, and Denver, San Francisco and Salt Lake City are exploring the idea.
League at Successful 2008 IMBA World Summit
The League was represented at the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s recent World Summit in Park City, Utah. The event kicked off with a reception at the Olympic Winter Sports Park where attendees were welcomed by Utah Governor John M. Huntsman Jr. Andy Clarke and Jeff Peel co-facilitated “Linking Downtown to Dirt: The Transportation-Recreation Connection,” discussing the inclusion of mountain-bike related questions on the Bicycle Friendly Community application. They cited examples of communities who have excelled linking bicycle transportation infrastructure to natural surface trails and singletrack. The workshop was part of the “Ride to the Ride” theme at the Summit, with other workshops focusing on urban mountain biking such as Seattle’s Colonndale Park, NYC’s Highbridge Park and Chattanooga’s Singletrack Mind Initiative.
LCIs Reach New Cyclists Across the Country
This year’s crop of League Cycling Instructors is going great guns. The latest Road I class, held last weekend in Plano, Texas even made it on the evening news. Three newly minted LCIs taught the class at the Plano Bicycle Shop and had a great time. The cyclists involved were mostly people thinking about commuting by bicycle. Wouldn’t you like to spread the joy of cycling in your area? Becoming a League Cycling Instructor is a great way to share your love of cycling with others. The next two seminars will be held in Fryeburg, Maine in July and Plano, Texas in October: Sign up today!
Local News
Speaking Up for Cycling in North Texas
In the past seven days, seven cyclists have been hit in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area, and two were killed. This is the area where the Ride of Silence originated, and yet a city council member recently said, “Well, there are no people in my district who want to bike.” To prove him wrong, area cyclists have started a petition. There are already 3,600 signatures—let’s help them quadruple that. Sign the petition at http://www.bikepetition.eventbrite.com/.
Help Iowa Stay Bicycle Friendly
Tomorrow, June 24, at 9:30 a.m., the Dallas, Iowa County Board of Supervisors will meet at the Adel City Hall in Adel, Iowa to discuss an ordinance that will require bicycle events to obtain insurance for bicycle events. This could affect rides as small as 10-20 people. Iowa Code 321.234 gives bicyclists the same rights and duties of motorists. According to the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, the proposed ordinance is a specific requirement placed on bicycles and does not include other vehicular events that occur in the public right-of-way such as MotorIoway and the WMT Tractorcade. This proposed ordinance is in conflict with Iowa Code. The requirement to provide insurance notification to the counties may actually increase the liability levels for the county by giving them notice a bicycle event will take place. If you are in the area, attend the meeting and speak up for cyclists.
Bike Shop Reaches Out through Radio PSAs
Landry's Bike Shop in Boston, Mass. has started doing a weekly radio spot to reach new cyclists and encourage people to start riding again. Two of their shows have featured League programs: National Bike Month and the League’s Annual Rally. “These weekly radio bike reports are a local step toward making bicycling more mainstream in the general media,” said Jack Johnson, marketing director for Landry’s. “We’re planning to sponsor these radio Bike Reports through early October this year.” Find out more at www.landrys.com. If you’ve seen an innovative way people in your area are encouraging cyclists, let us know. Write the League at elizabeth@bikeleague.org.
