May 8, 2006
Vote Now in League Board Elections
League members that live in Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT); Region 4 (IL, IN, MI and OH); or Region 6 (AK, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR and WA) are eligible to vote in the League's elections. The ballot was in the spring issue of American Bicyclist, and needs to be mailed in by May 15 (postmark date) to count. Let your voice be heard: Vote!
Sign Up Today for League's Annual Rally
The League is teaming up with One Less Car for our annual rally this year, which will be held in conjunction with Cycle Across Maryland. To learn more, or to register, click here.
Bicycle Commuter Bill Update
The Senate Bill that Sen. Wyden (D-OR) introduced two weeks ago has been assigned a number (S.2635) and referred to the Senate Finance committee for consideration. Senators Wyden, Snowe (R-ME), Cantwell (D-WA) and Collins (R-ME) sent out a Dear Colleague letter to other Senators, and it is vital that your Senator hear from you on this important issue. To contact your Senator today, click here.
Fuel Prices Help Drive Bicycling
While fuel prices continue to rise, interest in commuting to work by bicycle continues to grow. Bike Month is the perfect time to spread the word in your community about bicycling to work. Download the League's public service announcements, or the Bike to Work Week poster, and start encouraging your friends and family to bike to work.
BikeTown 2006
BikeTown 2006 kicked off yesterday as BikeTown gave away 50 bicycles to lucky New Yorkers in conjunction with the 5 Boro Bike Tour. BikeTown has 10 other locations chosen, and will give away bikes to deserving applicants in each of these cities. To learn more, or apply, click here.
Interbike Hires Marketing Agency
Interbike has signed a three-year agreement with SOAR Communications to develop and execute public relations campaigns serving all of
Interbike's annual events.
Colorado State Patrol Ends Size Cap
On April 25, the Colorado State Patrol is ended its policy capping the size bicycle events previously set to begin December 2006. Removing the 2,500 person limit on bicycling events is the result of a cooperative effort between the State Patrol, the Colorado Department of Transportation, and bicycling advocates in Colorado and nationwide to implement best practices for event safety and access for all road users. “Bicycle events are important to the health and lifestyle of Colorado’s citizens,” said Dan Grunig of nonprofit Bicycle Colorado. “Our working group found that good planning, education, and enforcement has a tremendous influence on safety.”
League at TOSRV
Mike Mackin, membership director of the League of American Bicyclists, will be representing the League, and riding in, this week's Tour Of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV). More than 3,000 bicycle riders of all ages will renew the annual tradition by riding from Columbus to Portsmouth on Saturday, May 13 and back to Columbus on Sunday, May 14. TOSRV is organized and run by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, a nonprofit organization promoting outdoor educational and recreational activities in Central Ohio for more than 50 years. Hope to see you there!
World Bicycle News: Lyon, France
The city of Lyon, France has been offering bicycles for travel within the city limits for several months, and the program has proved enormously successful. Residents can access the bicycles at one of almost 200 stations throughout the city, and the bicycles are released by the swipe of a bank card. The bikes are free for the first half hour and less than one euro after that. Since most cyclists leave their bike in a station at their destination and then re-swipe for the return trip, the service is in effect free for about 90 percent of the Lyonnais. The bike system in Vienna, Austria inspired outdoor advertising company JC Decaux and the Lyon government to team up to provide the bikes. The bikes themselves "intelligently" self-check their brakes, tire pressure, and other functions after every ride. Problems are reported to a central location. Several other French cities have expressed an interest in launching similar programs. Click here for more information.
Excerpted from News from France, a publication of the Embassy of France in the United States.
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