Brighten Your Ride; Brighten Our Future
The League of American Bicyclists has one boss: You. You tell us what is important, what needs to be our focus, and how we can help you and your community become more bicycle friendly. And, as you know, the end of the year is time for almost everyone’s (including the League's) annual evaluation. So, let us have it! Do you read our magazine? Do you like our programs? Would you like to see more of us? Less? Take our survey and you’re done. And, to thank you for your input, you’ll be entered into a raffle for an awesome NiteRider Flight 2.3 (worth $399!). (Your comments will remain anonymous, but you must enter your email at the end of the survey to be entered into the raffle.) Thanks for your membership and your feedback.
State & Local News
New York City Proposes Bike Parking Ordinances
New York City Planning Commissioner Amanda M. Burden has announced a new initiative require secure parking for bicycles in new multi-family residential, commercial and institutional buildings throughout the city. A new zoning text, which will enter the Public Review Process on Monday, November 17, would encourage bicycle ridership by providing a long-term and secure place to store bikes at home and at work. Recent studies by City Planning have found that the lack of safe and secure bicycle parking is a leading factor preventing people from cycling to work. In other news in NYC, they have proposed a new subway flood prevention design that includes benches and bicycle parking. Click here to see the prototype.
Des Moines, Iowa Passes Complete Streets Bill
On September 22, 2008, the Des Moines City Council passed a complete streets policy. The policy specifically states "Bicycle and pedestrian ways shall be established in new constructions and reconstruction of roadway projects..." The policy passed 6-1 by the city council and also establishes a committee to review elements to be included in the projects. Find out more here.
New Marin County Bike Map
Ten years ago a group of Marin cyclists decided to start an organization to improve the safety of cyclists. The catalyst for that coalition was a bicycle map for road, mountain and transportation cycling. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition has sold 40,000 copies of the Marin Bicycle Map over the last 10 years and the time had come for a thorough update. Local bike legend Joe Breeze made the original map back in 1998 and agreed to tackle this major revision. The new map has relief shading to reveal Marin’s contours; updated trail and route information; and newly designated countywide bicycle routes. The new map is also larger and includes more of West Marin in detail. The map is available for $10 or comes free with membership to the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.
Bike Walk Mississippi Hires Executive Director
Bike Walk Mississippi has hired a new executive director, Karen Mogridge. Mogridge joins BWM with a passion to help make Mississippi a more bike/pedestrian-friendly state and unite cyclists in a statewide network to push for bike/pedestrian-friendly legislation at the state, regional and local levels. Mogridge noted that Mississippi was recently ranked in the bottom five of the Bicycle Friendly States by the League. An immediate goal of the BWM advocacy program, Mogridge explained, will be to move Mississippi up in the list at least by five more states.
Now Hiring
Bicycle Federation of Wis. Hiring Exec. Director
The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin is looking for a dynamic, take-charge person to lead the organization in its mission to make Wisconsin an even better place to bicycle. The Board of Directors is recruiting candidates who want to serve as executive director of one of the premier bicycle advocacy and education groups in the nation. Applications will be accepted through 11/24/2008.
