National

Cyclists Fare Well in November Elections

As we look ahead to the challenge of increasing opportunities for bicycling in the new transportation bill, we are fortunate to have many of our key Congressional supporters returning in the 111th Congress. Key bike caucus members who were re-elected by strong margins such as Representatives Oberstar (D-MN) with 68 percent, Blumenauer (D-OR) with 75 percent, Petri (R-WI) with 64 percent, and on the Senate side Senators, Collins (R-ME) with 69 percent, Durbin (D-IL) with 67 percent, Mark Udall (D-CO) with 52 percent and Tom Udall (D-NM) with 61 percent. Click here to read more about how the Bike Caucus did in the elections.

Furthermore, bicycling issues fared well in Marin County, Calif. and Columbus, Ohio with two measures. In Sonoma and Marin Counties, Measure Q passed with a 69.5 percent district-wide (Sonoma and Marin counties) victory. The SMART train will be running in five years and includes the creation of 70 miles of bicycle/pedestrian pathways and lanes.

Work will begin as early as spring to continue linking bike paths across Columbus after voters approved several bond issues Nov. 4. Among the bond issues voters approved was $28 million worth to build more trails and improve existing ones.

Awards

Nominate Your Favorite Club for Club of the Year

The more than 700 clubs and advocacy organizations that belong to the League all do excellent work, some consistently rise above the rest. To honor these outstanding clubs and advocacy organizations, League board members select one club from each region as Club of the Year. To do this, they need to hear from you about why your club should win. Find out your board member, and their email, here.

Speaking Up

How's the League Doing?

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

Bike Counts Up Across the Country

In the last month, New York City and Portland, Ore. have released bicycle counts—and the news is spectacular. Portland’s Bicycle Count Report for 2008 says that compared to 2007, bicycle transit in Portland has increased by 28 percent; that bicycle transit has almost tripled since 2000; that on Portland's four bicycle friendly bridges bikes account for 13 percent of all vehicles; and that last year, 32 percent of all cyclists were women, as compared to 26 percent in 1997.

The New York City Department of Transportation announced findings showing that commuter bicycling in New York City has increased an unprecedented 35 percent between 2007-2008. Cycling levels in the city have doubled during the last six years.

How’s your city doing? Write the League at bikeleague@bikeleague.org and let us know about cycle counts in your community.

Omaha Aims to Be Bicycle Friendly

Last week, John Burke, CEO of Trek Bicycles, and Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, visited Omaha and gave a series of presentations encouraging efforts toward building Omaha as a Bicycle Friendly Community. During the breakfast session, business and non-profit leaders were introduced to these concepts. Burke and Clarke outlined a number of troubling trends and statistics which should motivate Omaha to rally towards solutions. While the speakers pointed out that there are several solutions to this range of issues, they proposed that the bicycle is the simple solution to several of these complex problems. Burke provided examples that prove that bikes can support a metro’s transportation needs. He showed that in the Netherlands, 25 percent of all trips are taken by bike, and in Boulder the number is 21 percent. He reminded us of London’s congestion reducing strategies, and explained some of the initiatives that have helped transform Portland.

 

Industry

Bikes Belong Elects New Officers

Three U.S. bike industry leaders were elected as Bikes Belong Coalition board officers. Steve Meineke, president of Raleigh America, was picked to become president after serving three years as vice president. Former treasurer Chris Fortune, chief executive officer of Saris Cycling Group, was named vice president. Michael Mercuri, vice president of SRAM Corporation, was elected treasurer. All three began service immediately as a scheduled transition.