National News
League Recognizes Seven New BFCs; 13 Renew
The League honored seven new communities with the prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community designation. Silver-level communities were: Santa Cruz, Calif. and Steamboat Springs, Colo. Bronze-level include: Lexington-Fayette County, Ky.; Liberty Lake, Wash.; New York City, N.Y.; Santa Clarita, Calif.; and Spartanburg, S.C. The Bicycle Friendly Community program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life and transportation network. The League awards this four-year designation to communities that have made impressive, measurable efforts to integrate bicyclists into the community. There are four levels—platinum, gold, silver and bronze—awarded twice each year. Thirteen communities also renewed this year.
League to Hold Boston Bike Summit
Boston, armed with a newly passionate about cycling mayor and a team of dedicated advocates, is ready to become a Bicycle Friendly Community. To help them get started, the League is holding a Boston Bike Summit on Oct. 22-24. The Summit will feature public meetings, technical seminars, famous speakers, and more. Make a difference in Boston by attending!
Sec'y Mary Peters Responds to Cyclists
Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, who recently intimated that money spent bicycling may be to blame for the bridge collapse in Minnesota, has responded to a few League members with a letter that says all the right things. See for yourself here. So far, she's received more than 1,600 letters about her comments. Write your own today.
League Transitions: Nesper Promoted, Tyree Hired
Bill Nesper, former League program manager, has been promoted to Director of the League's Bicycle Friendly Community program. Preston Tyree, longtime League board member, education advocate in Austin, Texas, and chair of the League's education committee, has been hired to head the education program. "We're delighted to have someone with Preston's deep expertise in bicycle education on board," said League Executive Director Andy Clarke. "I look forward to seeing it flourish under his leadership."
Road I Included in Mobility Education
The League's Road I Certification will be included in a "Mobility Education" pilot course. More than 4 million Americans will turn 16 this year. Will this next generation equate mobility with driving a car, or will they be trained to have a broader mobility repertoire? The Mobility Education Foundation is developing the concept of multi-modal drivers education in hopes of developing the latter. Their first pilot course--in Federal Way, WA--provides students with a Road I certificate alongside the Traffic Safety Education certificate. The expanded curriculum incorporates training in transit, cycling, street design, and using new technology. New drivers trained through the Mobility Education curriculum will have vehicular cycling skills when behind the handlebars and will be more aware and respectful of cyclists when behind the wheel.
Safe Routes Gears Up for National Conference
The first Safe Routes to School National Conference will be Nov. 5-7 in Dearborn, Mich., hosted by the National Center for Safe Routes to School and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. For $240, the conference includes your choice of more than 25 workshops, an evening at The Henry Ford Museum with a private showing following the opening program, three inspiring plenary speakers, fabulous meals and three days of valuable networking with Safe Routes to School advocates, champions and leaders from around the country. For more information about the conference, click here.
El Tour Heading for Record Year
In conjunction with the League's Annual Rally and El Tour's 25th anniversary, preliminary numbers show amazing growth for the annual ride, which raises funds for charities in Tucson and surrounding areas. It's not too late to register and get a great deal on airfare to Tucson --- join us at El Tour!
Help the League Help You!
The League wants to know more about our members, your cycling habits, and how to serve you better. And we're raffling off a Garmin GPS to one lucky member who fills out our membership survey. To be eligible to win, click here and fill out the survey today -- it will only take a few minutes.
Building a Greener Capitol
The Green the Capitol Office will host a Green “Transportation” Expo on October 25, 2007, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place at two locations in Washington, D.C.: inside the Cannon Caucus Room, on the third floor of the Cannon Building, and outside on 1st Street, between the Cannon Building and the Library of Congress. Inside the Caucus Room you’ll be able to check out bikes from several area stores and chat with a host of other alternative transportation agencies and manufacturers. Outside, you will be able to ride Segways and see and sit in more than 20 of the coolest alternative vehicles on the market today! No registration is required. Click here for more information, email Allison Rogers at the Green the Capitol Office, or call (202) 225-1087.
Illinois Gets Complete Streets Legislation!
The Illinois House's vote to override Gov. Blagojevich's amendatory veto of Senate Bill 314 marks the final chapter of efforts to enact this important legislation that protects pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users. The Complete Streets law requires that bicycle and pedestrian ways be established in or near urban areas in all state transportation projects. It is effective immediately for project planning and required in construction beginning August 2008. While the legislation passed through the House and Senate, Gov. Blagojevich effectively vetoed the SB314 Aug. 30 by changing its meaning. During this month's veto session, the Senate voted to override the veto Oct. 3 and the House did the same Oct. 9. To find out more, visit the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.
Chicagoland Seeks Communications Manager
The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation seeks a communications manager to assist the director of communications with programs and projects that describe and promote the organization and its work. At least one-year experience with desktop publishing or with public relations and a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field is required. Strong communication skills required. Job sharing a possibility. See the full description here. Send cover letter and resume to Margo O’Hara.
