Three Ways to Serve the League  

We are looking for a few good people to help lead the organization in the exciting years ahead. We have a number of board and volunteer positions that provide a unique opportunity to help the League fulfill its critical mission of promoting and protecting the rights of cyclists, and we need talented strategic thinkers, people with their fingers on the pulse of the cycling community, and folks with the passion to invest in the future of the bicycling movement.

Run for the Board of Directors

Nominations are open for three regional director spots on the League’s national Board. The election process will unfold this fall for Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT), Region 4 (MI, IL, IN, OH), and Region 6 (AK, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA). If you are interested in serving on the League Board of Directors, or if you know someone who would be a good representative for cyclists in your region, the Nominating Committee is now soliciting recommendations for candidates for the 2009 board elections. Click here to learn more.

Serve as a State Ambassador

We are creating a new volunteer position to provide a stronger link between our regional directors (who have to serve many states) and the cycling community in every state – clubs, advocacy groups, the industry, mountain bike and racing activities, and more. State ambassadors will work with board members and staff to provide closer liaison between the regional director and League members, volunteers and affiliated organizations identify issues, challenges, and opportunities for the League to address in relation to its member services and programs; promote member participation in the League; promote League membership, services and programs to people and organizations in their state; and assist their regional director in recommending regional events and award recipients for the national office. Appointments will be made this fall, following the Board of Directors meeting on September 25. We welcome applications – please send a cover letter and resume – through September 15; please send your nomination to bikeleague@bikeleague.org and make reference to “state ambassador” in the subject line of your e-mail. Note: technically, we know this isn’t a new position. We used to have state representatives and state legislative representatives a while back. We’ve chosen the term “ambassador” this time as we want people who are facilitators and connectors, people who can help the League’s programs come to life, and who can process valuable feedback on those programs for the board and staff.

Host a National Rally

We just had a fabulous time at the Maine Bicycle Rally in Fryeburg and need a location for the 2009 and 2010 (and beyond, if you want to suggest it…) National Rally of Bicyclists. We have strong expressions of interest from a couple of great communities already – but we especially need potential hosts in the Midwest where we haven’t been since southern Indiana in 2004. We are open to all suggestions, but have found that we can best add something to weekend (2-3 days) events with multiple ride options based in one location, sort of like the Maine Bicycle Rally! For the record, we were in Tucson (El Tour de Tucson) in 2007, Cycle Across Maryland in 2006, Cycle Oregon (2005), Indiana BikeFest (2004) and Bike Florida (2003). So if you’ve got an event that we can help promote and bring League members from across the country to ride in, contact Matt Banks, League membership director, at matt@bikeleague.org.

 

Planning Ahead ...

Intersection Design & ADA Compliance

Want more in-depth understanding of complex intersection design or designing for ADA compliance and accessibility? APBP is offering two full-day professional development courses in conjunction with the Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference in Seattle. Conference attendance is not required and registration for these courses is separate. Real Intersection Design: Get RID of Rhetoric will be held on September 2 and Designing Facilities for Pedestrian Accessibility will be held on September 6. Each course, led by nationally-recognized experts, offers seven continuing education credits and costs $150 for APBP members, $200 for non-members. Space is limited to 35 participants. Contact Deb Goeks (deb@apbp.org) for availability.

Rail-Volution: October 26-30 in San Francisco

Rail-Volution will take place this Oct. 26-30 in San Francisco, Calif. The conference will explore what’s possible in shaping the landscape with public transportation and other progressive livability strategies. The Bay Area is one of the most culturally diverse and sustainable areas in the world. This region has identified creative solutions facing all of us – climate change and dwindling resources, sustaining a healthy economy, addressing the needs of diverse cultures, and proactively financing infrastructure that supports livable communities. Community activists, non-profit organizations, transit leaders, developers and city planners throughout the Bay Area have joined forces to develop creative, adaptable solutions for addressing the transportation and global warming crisis. Come to San Francisco this fall to share your experiences, see first-hand how a diverse region is collaborating to provide a green and livable future, and take home some innovative new strategies for your community.

New Partners for Smart Growth in January

The 8th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities Conference will be held January 22-24, 2009 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The strength of this conference comes from the variety of participants and speakers who cross disciplines to share experiences and insights, and valuable tools and strategies to encourage smart growth implementation and "get it done." This conference will feature the latest in smart growth — the latest research, cutting-edge implementation tools and techniques, best practices, model projects, policies and codes, coordinated networking activities, interactive learning experiences, and new partners. Registration will open at the end of September.

Jobs in the World of Bicycling

Park Planner Needed in Charlotte, N.C.

Mecklenburg County (Charlotte, N.C.) is hiring a Park and Recreation Department Park Planner for Greenways. This position is responsible for developing long-range greenway plans. Duties include coordination of the greenway planning and development priorities, providing input in the greenway design process, serving as a liaison for project management, budget and fiscal management of projects, presentations to citizens groups and advisory councils, and communication with other agencies. Apply at: www.Charmeck.Org. The application deadline is August 29, 2008.