BFC Update

BFC Program Gets Million Dollar Boost from Trek

Trek has announced a $1-million, three-year commitment to the League of American Bicyclists’ signature Bicycle Friendly Community Program as part of the bicycle company's larger One World, Two Wheels advocacy initiative. Trek President John Burke unveiled the campaign August 16 to 1,000 enthusiastic Trek dealers at the corporation's annual event in Madison, Wisconsin, saying, “Bicycling is a very simple solution to many complicated problems in the world.” League Executive Director Andy Clarke said, “We are absolutely delighted. This effectively triples the size of the BFC program and enables us to do a lot more to help transform cities across the United States.”

Bumper Crop of BFC Applications Received

A record number of communities have applied for recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community in the August round of reviews, reports Bill Nesper, newly promoted director of the Bicycle Friendly Community Program. “Close to 40 communities have applied, either to renew or seek designation as a BFC, bringing to almost 200 the number of communities that have applied since 2003,” says Nesper. Look for announcement of the successful communities in September at Interbike.

Cycling in the News

League Responds to DOT Attacks on Bike Projects

The bicycle community responded quickly to a series of astonishing statements by Mary Peters, Secretary of Transportation, linking the tragic Minneapolis bridge collapse to spending on bicycling projects and the Safe Routes to School program. The League's quick response to her statements on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer was picked up by bloggers and advocacy groups across the country. "Our rapid reaction was even more important as we discovered Secretary Peters had been spreading this misinformation to newspapers and editorial writers as part of a campaign to discredit Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and other Congressional leaders seeking to raise additional funding for infrastructure needs. We haven't heard back from the Secretary yet," said Andy Clarke, executive director of the League. Write to her yourself, at our Advocacy Center.

Safe Routes to School In the News

There are two new legislative initiatives that include Safe Routes to School. One is in the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind legislation and the other initiative is H.R. 3438, which is a bill to amend the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. These initiatives were spearheaded by the National Coalition to Promote Physical Activity and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership Visit the Partnership's great new Web site to learn more details.

Get Out Your Clickers: It's Counting Time!

The count dates for the National Bicycle & Pedestrian Documentation Project will be Sept. 10-16 this year. There is a religious holiday that week, so if this is a factor in your community, the counts can be conducted the following week (17-23). The objectives are to develop consistent national data on walking and bicycling so that trends, relational factors, and other research can be conducted, similar to other modes of travel. More than 50 cities and counties have or are participating in this program in the U.S. and Canada. For information on the program or to download information, click here.

American Update

America Earns an F ... for Fat

Adult obesity rates rose in 31 states last year, according to the fourth annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2007 report from the Trust for America’s Health. Twenty-two states experienced an increase for the second year in a row; no states decreased. A new public opinion survey featured in the report finds 85 percent of Americans believe that obesity is an epidemic.

Help the League Cross the U.S. ... with Members

Now, through October 19, 2007 you can help power the League across the country with new members … it’s 2,428 miles from San Diego to New York City, and we want to get there with your help. Each new member that you refer pedals us one mile on our journey across America. Even better, each referral wins you a coupon for Performance Bicycle's on-line stores and when you refer three new members you are automatically entered in a raffle to win a new bike donated by our friends at City Bikes in Washington, D.C. The process is simple: Contact Lora Golann at 202-822-1333 and ask to receive your unique URL to send to friends and family about joining the League.

Help Protect CA State Park for Mountain Biking

Proposed budget cuts could put singletrack at risk if California State Parks falls victim to part of the $700 million in reductions proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger. Mountain bikers need to act now and tell the Governor to fully fund State Parks. IMBA California and mountain bikers across the state are working on numerous trail projects with State Parks. Currently, ten projects are underway, with the promise for greatly increased singletrack access. Any loss of agency funding could threaten these projects and future singletrack access. Click here to take action!

Nominations Needed

Are You the Next League Board Member?

Check out the schedule, qualifications, and meet the current board members.

Your Next Job?

Join the League as Education Director

The League is hiring an education director. This is an exciting opportunity with great growth potential. Click here to read more, and hurry, the application deadline is this Friday.

BTA Searching for Executive Director

Oregon is one of the best places to cycle in the nation, and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance is a statewide organization dedicated to promoting bicycling and improving conditions for all people who want to ride their bicycle. This fast growing and very dynamic non-profit organization is seeking a new Executive Director to lead the organization in creating healthy, sustainable communities by making bicycling safer, more convenient and accessible for everyone.

Harvest Fnd. Hiring Education Program Officer

The Harvest Foundation is hiring a Program Officer -- Education. This person will serve as a lead program officer at the Harvest Foundation for issues concerning the practice and trends in education in the domains of pre-K; secondary and primary education; alternative education; higher education, and workforce development. To learn more about the job, or to apply, email ewade@theharvestfoundation.org

DC & VA Hiring SRTS Coordinators

Click here to read DC's job description and to apply (or go here and find Job #7392).

Click here to read about Virginia's SRTS job (or go here and find Job #20152).