March 27, 2006
Bike to Work Week Grants Available
There is still time to apply for the grants offered by the League of American Bicyclists and Shimano to help communities with Bike to Work Week 2006. To apply, send us 200-word essays on who, what, where and how the Bike to Work program will make a difference in your community. This year, special consideration will be given to communities that are launching Bike to Work or Bicycle Friendly Community campaigns. The deadline to apply for the grants is April 3 and the winners will be announced on April 5. The grants range from $1,000 to $1,500 each, and grant applications should be emailed to Sarah Stiles at sarah@bikeleague.org.
Free Bike Week Posters
Shimano, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, and the League of American Bicyclists have once again teamed up to bring you Bike to Work Week Posters. The design is similar to last year's very successful artwork, and the new dates are included. There is ample space to add your own logo and Bike to Work Week information, if you would like. To receive your free copies, email elizabeth@bikeleague.org.
League Launches New Web site
As part of the League's mission, to promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, we have updated our Web site. The best part of the new site is the Find It feature, which allows you to search for League Cycling Instructors, courses, clubs, advocacy groups, bike shops, rides and more with just one click. Check it out for yourself! The site also features nationwide Bike Month events. If you know of an event that isn't listed, send it to elizabeth@bikeleague.org.
May 17: Rides of Silence Nationwide
On May 17 at 7 p.m., League board members, staff and members will join thousands of cyclists nationwide in the Ride of Silence. Cyclists take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. Find out how you can participate here.
Kentucky Encourages Cycling
The Kentucky Legislature has unanimously passed a resolution that states: "Direct the Legislative Research Commission to study Kentucky's bicycling and pedestrian activities and options for increasing tourism related opportunities and improving public health through bicycling and pedestrian activity." To read the full text of this exciting resolution, click here.
Calif. Radio Broadcast Sparks Controversy
Rick Roberts, a DJ in San Diego as well as an occasional mountain biker, spoke out against cyclists who don't follow the rules of the road in a March 20 broadcast. While the broadcast was derogatory; played up stereotypes; took cheap shots; and was ill-informed, he didn't cross the line and promote violence against cyclists. Still, this kind of tasteless and inappropriate ranting doesn't help cyclists or motorists share the road. See the response from the local bicycle club and the radio station here.
New Report on Bicycling Standards
New York University's Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management has released a new report: Pedestrian and Bicyclists Standards and Innovations in Large Central Cities. From the introduction: "Funded by the Federal Highway Administration and performed in conjunction with the National Association of City Transportation Officials, Inc., this report is the culmination of a year-long
effort aimed at reviewing pedestrian and bicyclist standards and innovations in large central cities. The
study involved a literature review and analysis of the challenges facing large central cities when trying to
support pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as a review of several promising approaches being taken in
various cities. In September 2005, a peer-to-peer session with representatives from ten cities, and
several agencies and advocacy groups, was held to fill in gaps related to these approaches and policy
concerns. The report is a compilation and synthesis of the findings from these endeavors." Click here (large PDF file) to read the report.
Podcast Features Cycling Advocates
A podcast discussing the success of bicycling advocates in having federal funds set aside to improve bicycling in America is now available online. The interviews were conducted by BikeBiz, a British publication, at Velo Mondial in Cape Town, South Africa, and include comments from Andy Clarke of the League and Elizabeth Train of Bikes Belong.
National Public Health Week: April 3-9, 2006
In 2006, National Public Health Week will be celebrated in every state in the nation. This year, the focus of NPHW is children and the built environment and the tagline is “Designing Healthy Communities: Raising Healthy Kids.” The League of American Bicyclists, as part of our work with the Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership, is a partner in this year's events. The week will highlight people who are by inspiring Americans to build healthier communities and healthier kids.
League Board Election 2006
The League of American Bicyclists nominating committee has finalized the slate of candidates for the 2006 election. Regions 1, 4 and 6 are up for election, and the candidates are as follows:
Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT): John Allen
Region 4 (IL, IN, MI and OH): John Gideon and Jim Sheehan
Region 6 (AK, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR and WA): Amanda Jones Eichstaedt and John Forester
To vote, look for the ballot in the spring issue of American Bicyclist in the coming weeks.
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