National News
Bikes Belong, Interbike Sign 10 Year Agreement
The Bikes Belong Coalition and Nielsen Media, parent company of Interbike, have signed a 10-year, multi-million dollar alliance that will boost efforts to get more Americans riding bicycles. Interbike will become a top financial contributor to Bikes Belong and a primary sponsor of two innovative Bikes Belong projects. Interbike and Bikes Belong will also partner to support a high profile bicycle project each year in the show's host city (currently Las Vegas). For its part, Bikes Belong will officially endorse Interbike as the U.S. bike industry's trade show and will end its consideration of launching or supporting a competing event. Bikes Belong will also work closely with Interbike's staff to maximize the appeal of the show and its related events to suppliers, retailers, and bike advocates.
New Benchmark Study of Bicycling, Walking
Bicycling and Walking in the U.S., the Thunderhead Alliance’s first biennial Benchmarking Report, is now available online. The report compares, for the first time ever, bicycling and walking levels, investment in bicycling and walking, and public health. The most striking findings reveal major disparities between cycling and walking levels, traffic fatalities, and federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects. To view Bicycling and Walking in the U.S., click here.
Get Your Comments In Soon ...
Since May 2006, the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission has met regularly to hear about the challenges facing America’s surface transportation network. Commissioners have heard testimony from national transportation advocates, policymakers, industry, labor, and from the general public. The Commission is now working towards a December 2007 deadline to submit its recommendations to Congress. For those of you who have not had an opportunity to comment in public, now is the time to submit comments. The Commission will begin to develop their recommendations sometime in late October, so comments should be emailed within the next few weeks.
Be a Member, Get a Member
It’s not just that you are helping the League help cyclists … by encouraging your friends and family to join in our new campaign, you are also earning coupons, entries into a bike giveaway raffle, and much more! To find out how to get credit for gently nudging your acquaintances to join the League, email us today.
State and Local Updates
El Tour de Tucson Signs New Title Sponsor
At a news conference last week, Richard J. DeBernardis, founder & executive director of El Tour de Tucson, announced with great pleasure a three-year commitment by University Medical Center (UMC) to be the new title sponsor of El Tour as the event celebrates its silver anniversary. Their original sponsor went unexpectedly bankrupt two weeks ago, leaving the wildly popular ride without a title sponsor. UMC stepped in, and saved the day. Check out what makes this ride so popular at this year’s League Rally, to be held in conjunction with El Tour de Tucson. Sign up here.
Boston Mayor Turns Attention to Cycling
Excerpted from the Boston Globe
When Mayor Thomas M. Menino discovered the benefits of speed walking, he exhorted everyone in the city to lace up and join him. When he came down with skin cancer, Menino launched a heartfelt crusade for early screening. When he lost weight by cutting down on pasta and other carbohydrates, the mayor once known as Tank began preaching the benefits of the new Menino diet. Now, the mayor has discovered bicycling. Menino purchased a silver Trek road bike three weeks ago and has been riding it regularly through his Hyde Park neighborhood. Each weekday at about 5 a.m., the 64-year-old mayor straps on a black cycling helmet and an arm band with red reflector lights and sets off alone on a leisurely, 45-minute pedal. He acknowledges that another public crusade is brewing. "We're going to do more in our city with bikes," Menino decreed upon his return home from a ride recently. The mayor's new fixation is already drawing cheers from cycling enthusiasts, who for years have been fighting for more respect on Boston's narrow and oft-congested streets. "I'd love to ride with the mayor," said David Watson, executive director of MassBike.
Iowa Launches Share the Road Plates
With the help of the Iowa DOT, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition (IBC) is now taking applications for Share the Road plates. Show your love of cycling and help make the roads safer for everyone. Whether you're a competitive racer, daily commuter or recreational rider, the new Share the Road license plate is the ultimate cycling accessory. Transform your car into a bicycling billboard and remind others to share the road every time you drive. IBC is required to collect 500 pre-paid applications before the plates can be issued. After IBC receives 500 pre-paid applications, IBC will sent them to the DOT and they will begin to issue plates. Visit www.IowaBicycleCoalition.org and download a Share The Road license plate application to get started.
Bikes Belong Awards Six New Grants
Bikes Belong has awarded six summer grants. Their investment in these paths, trails, parks, and advocacy initiatives will help create, enhance, and protect great places to ride in communities across the country. This stellar round of grants brings their total to 150 projects supported by Bikes Belong members to date. This round of grants include projects in Indiana, California, North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Click here to learn more.
Are You the Next League Board Member?
Check out the schedule, qualifications, and meet the current board members.
