Dear Elizabeth,
We hope you had a terrific July 4th weekend and that you were able to enjoy a bike ride of some kind! Congress is hard at work on a couple of crucial funding bills until the end of this month - that's also when we'll take off for Minnesota and our fabulous Weekend on Wheels with our friends in the Twin Cities Bicycle Club. Join us!
Sincerely,
Andy Clarke
President, League of American Bicyclists
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Transportation Bill Released
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House Passes Landmark Clean Energy Bill
On June 28, 2009, the House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, (H.R. 2454) sponsored by Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. The League is encouraged to see that the Climate Legislation provides provisions to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by including efforts to increase walking, bicycling and other forms of nonmotorized transportation (see section 222 of Bill). We will continue to work with Congress to ensure that both the transportation and climate bills are aligned and provide funding for safe, reliable and economical transportation choices, such as bicycling.
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Wisconsin Passes Complete Streets and
Receives Funding for Bicycle Infrastructure
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle signed the state's budget on June 29th, which contained Complete Streets legislation and an additional $5 million for bicycle infrastructure. Read more.
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San Francisco Approves Bike Plan
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency board unanimously approved the city's long-stalled bike plan last week, June 26, giving the go-ahead to 45 of 46 individual infrastructure projects that have been under consideration for the past three years. More than 200 bike coalition supporters were on hand to see the approval. "These bike lanes will improve our environment, enhance bike safety and help people lead healthier lives," said Mayor Gavin Newsom said. Read more and find out about the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition reaction here.
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Columbia, Mo. Bicyclist Harassment Ordinance
Columbia, Mo. unanimously passed a bicyclist harassment ordinance making the throwing of objects, verbal assault and other offenses illegal, and a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $1,000 fine or one year of jail time. The Columbia ordinance is modeled after similar ordinances in South Carolina and Colorado. The city council meeting on July 20 plans to expand the ordinance to include other types of pedestrian traffic. Read more.
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NYC Aggressive Bicycle Safety Ad Campaign
This June the New York Department of Transportation, cycling groups and drivers' organizations started a new campaign aimed at bicycle safety. Called Look, the campaign features posters, postcards, a radio spot and a video ad encouraging people to be more aware of other road users. Meanwhile, Transportation Alternatives has also launched a Biking Rules site addressing the rights and responsibilities of cyclists in the city. Source: The New York Times
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Roswell, Ga. Inspired by Portland's Bike Boxes
The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition says the North Fulton city's bright green bike box is the first one in Georgia. The newly painted bike box is on the asphalt of Riverside and Dogwood roads - one of the most heavily cycled intersections. Roswell borrowed an idea from Portland, Ore., to make the area safer for bicyclists. Read more.
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Bike Florida Launches Year-Round Touring
For the first time in 25 years, year-round long-distance bicycle touring will return to Florida October 10-16 when Bike Florida leads the inaugural tour in its fall-winter program.Tours will initially cover the 260-mile St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop, a richly historic route that includes two rail-trail corridors between East Palatka and St. Augustine, and the longest in the state, the 52-mile East-Central Regional Rail-Trail between Enterprise and Titusville. Read more.
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Bicycle Friendly Business Application Deadline
 The Bicycle Friendly Business application deadline is this week, July 10, 2009. The League's BFB program, now in its second year, recognizes businesses for their efforts to promote bicycling in their workplace. Join the businesses who are
competing to be ranked higher than their BFB competitors. When bicycling is incorporated into a businesses culture, employees are happier, healthier and more productive. Apply today!
The Bicycle Friendly Business application is designed to be filled out
by a human resource person or a staff member who knows about the company's work on behalf of bicyclists. Contact Alison, Program Specialist for Bicycle Friendly Businesses, if you need any technical assistance.
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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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How Much Can You Save Biking to Work?
Every one is always curious about how much money you save by biking rather than driving. Now you can actually know! Use Kiplinger's new Bicycle Commuter Calculator to discover how much money you are saving by biking to work.
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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:
Donate today!
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