Dear League Member,
We are excited about the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Community designations that you can read about below. Although we only have one gold (Eugene, up from Silver) community to congratulate, there are more than a dozen new communities that have really been working hard just to get to bronze - including some that might surprise you (I'm not going to say which those are!). Even better, their simple response to the news of their awards: "What do we have to do to get to Silver?!" That's why we have the program!
Sincerely,
Andy Clarke
President, League of American Bicyclists
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Take our Membership Survey & Win $130
As an incentive for members to fill out our quick membership survey, one person will be chosen at random to receive $130 (the League's age in 2010). You can spend this money on new bike accessories, a down payment on your next bike vacation, or just dinner out with friends (perhaps after a great ride?). We've had a good response rate so far - don't miss out on your chance to have your say as we will be closing the survey earlier than orignally planned at the end of this month. Take the survey today!
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Fall 2009 Bicycle Friendly Communities Announced
The League of American Bicyclists is proud to announce 15 new
Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) and three renewing BFCs. Notably, 10 out of the 15 new awardees are from the Midwest to the East coast, disproving the myth that building great cities for cycling only works in the West. Three new states, Arkansas, Louisiana, and South Dakota have their first BFCs with this designation cycle. Read more.
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Capitol Hill Updates
Several critical issues for bicyclists are working their way through Congress.
- The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee approved a climate bill, which replaces the previously released Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.
- The Senate is working to pass a six-month authorization extension for the Transportation Bill as a substitute to the three-month extension passed by the House at the end of September.
- The Senate Commerce Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have both scheduled hearings for this week to address the issue of distracted driving. The hearings will include discussion of a proposal by Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) that would provide incentives to states to pass laws against driving while texting or talking on a handheld device, and legislation introduced by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that would require states to ban texting while driving or risk losing federal funds.
Read more about these issues.
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James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award
The National Center for Safe Routes to School announces Ben W. Murch Elementary School as the 2009 recipient of the James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award. The national award is given for outstanding achievement in implementing a Safe Routes to School Program and is named in recognition of U.S. Representative James L. Oberstar, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The award is being presented today to school principal Dawn Ellis and the school's 17-member student Safety Patrol. Read more.
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Livable Communities Task Force
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-D) has announced the creation of the Livable Communities Task Force, a collection of Congressmen united in improving and expediting legislation that builds more livable communities. The task force, made up of 20 Representatives, is charged with working to improve our communities through federal legislation that helps reduce our nation's dependence on oil, protect the environment, improve public health and invest in housing and transportation projects that create jobs and give people more commuting choices. Read more on the League blog.
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FHWA Calls for Bicycling Research Ideas
The Federal Highway Administration's Environment and Planning wants your help to identify areas of research - including bicycle/pedestrian and health topics. The agency's STEP (Surface Transportation Environment and Planning) Cooperative Research Program is seeking input and suggestions for the lines of research that should be pursued within this emphasis area. To submit comments, please go here, and click on Bicycle/ Pedestrian and Health underneath the Environment heading. The deadline is December 3. Find out more.
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Application for Safe Routes to School State Network Project
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership, recognizing that the potential for SRTS is much broader than the $612 million in funds made available through state departments of transportation as a result of the 2005 federal transportation bill, is continuing its State Network Project during 2010 and 2011. The Goal is to leverage additional resources by creating SRTS State Networks in 15 states, and/or the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To find out if you are eligible and how to apply, click here.
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Austin City Council Passes Text Ban
The Austin City Council unanimously passed a resolution directing the city manager to create a city ordinance banning texting in a moving vehicle. While the creation of the ordinance has already been approved, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez said concerns would be addressed while it's being finalized. Additionally, the council asked the city manager to draft 3-foot safe passing ordinance for people on bikes, and other vulnerable road users. Read more.
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New York City Bike Lanes Explained
The bike lanes in New York City might look different than the lanes in your town. Check out this video on Streetfims to get a taste of what NYC is up to, and use Ride the City to find a safe bike route in New York City.
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Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School National Partnership is looking for two state network managers for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Partnership, a network of more than 400 organizations that are working to make it safer and easier for children to walk and bicycle to schools. Read job description.
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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:
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