October 30, 2006
Tricks and Treats
Bicycle advocacy is full of tricks and treats. The treat of working in bicycling is counter-balanced by the trick of being misunderstood as fringe cyclists. For every success the League has accomplished this year, there are discouragements like an increasing number of cycling deaths, an increase in the number of hit and run deaths, and the dismal numbers of kids riding to school. We need your help to ensure that there are many more treats for cyclists nationwide by Halloween 2007. Read on to see how you can help.
Driving Bicycling Forward with Treats
Need a bag to help you carry all the treats you get on Halloween? The League is holding a quick contest to see how many members will join or renew on or before midnight on October 31, 2006. Everyone who joins or renews during this period will receive a t-shirt or socks. People that join or renew at the $110 level or higher will be entered into a raffle and five lucky people will win League-branded Timbuk2 or Chrome messenger bags. The best treat: you support the League and get free swag!
Treats from Florida to Missouri ...
New Three-Foot Passing Law in Effect in Florida
As of Oct. 1, a new law in Florida says that motorists must maintain a three-foot safety gap while passing a bicyclist. Drivers who do not obey this law will face high fines and possible driver's license points. Police officers and bicyclists across the state have embraced the new law. Click here (scroll to the bottom of the page) to read about the reaction in Boca Raton.
Tour of Missouri Race Scheduled for September 2007
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and Lt. Governor Peter Kinder have announced that the state will host the inaugural Tour of Missouri professional cycling race, September 11-16, 2007. The Tour of Missouri has been slated as one of only five stage races in the newly-created USA Cycling Pro Tour, which will highlight the top multi-day races in America. The race is sanctioned by USA Cycling, the official cycling organization recognized by the USOC..
Road Rage Responses Help Resolve Tricks
Several communities nationwide have response systems set up for when bicyclists report a road rage incident. Madison, Wis. police can't give a citation unless they witness it, but do send an appropriately harsh letter. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has a complaint form that cyclists can fill out, with punishments ranging from a letter to a license suspension. The League can help you push for this kind of response in your community: email bikeleague@bikeleague.org to find out how.
National Review Plays Trick on SR2S
The National Review recently published a screed against the national Safe Routes to School program. The League responded, as did several other bicycle advocates. These kind of tricks aren't funny to anyone, and the strong and immediate response from the bicycling community sent a powerful message.
Award a Well-Deserved Treat for Oberstar
The National Center for Safe Routes to School has announced it will establish an annual award in the name of Congressman James L. Oberstar to honor his dedication to America’s school children. The James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award will be presented each year to an outstanding Safe Routes to School Program. An avid bicyclist, Congressman Oberstar is recognized as the leading bike advocate in Congress. As the senior Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Oberstar has led the way in promoting legislation that is bicycle-friendly. During his 32 years in Congress, he has shaped the nation’s surface transportation policies to encourage bicycling as an important alternative to travel by car or other motorized conveyance.
In Other Award News, Wendi Kallins Was Honored ...
Wendi Kallins, Marin County Safe Routes to Schools Program Director, was selected by the Active Living Network as an Active Living Hero due to her national recognition as a leader in the Safe Routes to Schools movement.
Start Planning Your Costume for 2007 Now
The League has heard of several bicycle advocacy positions open nationwide. What better outfit could there be for people who are passionate about bicycling? Check out the positions open in central Oregon; Kansas City, Mo.; Portland, Ore.; and Marin County, Calif.
El Tour de Tucson a Treat for Cyclists
The 2006 El Tour de Tucson will be held on Nov. 18 in honor of Dr. Richard H. Carmona of Tucson, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006). There will also be a new event associated with El Tour in 2006 – the LeMond Fitness Indoor El Tour – benefiting the American Parkinson Disease Association and designed to let everyone participate in the El Tour experience anywhere in the world. Participants will use stationary bicycles or bicycle trainers, will ride for minutes not miles and will be eligible for t-shirts, medallions, awards and prize drawings. El Tour de Tucson 2007 will be the site of the League's Annual Rally.
Minnesota Airport to Get Bicycle Parking
Excerpted from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Paul Caspersen of Minneapolis, Minn. needed to be at the airport for an early morning flight recently. Because buses weren't running at 3 a.m., he rode his bike from his southeast Minneapolis home to the light-rail stop at the Metrodome, then rode the light rail to the airport. When he arrived, he discovered that there was no bike parking. He locked his bike to an out-of-the way sign post inside the terminal and headed to the plane. When he returned four days later, the bike was gone. Airport employees had removed the bike, and cut into the frame, destroying it. While It is too late to save his bike, Arlie Johnson, assistant airport director charged with running landside operations, said staff employees are working on the problem of no bike parking and hope to have it solved by spring.
Boo! New League LCIs Jump on Education
 Four League staff members earned the designation of League Cycling Instructors on October 29. Andy Clarke, executive director; Todd McDonald, program coordinator; Bill Nesper, education director, and Elizabeth Preston, communications director join staff member Anthony Yoder, director of finance and administration, in this elite fraternity. "Now that half of our staff are LCIs, we look forward to creating more educational opportunities here in D.C., as well as spreading the word about bicycle education nationwide," said Clarke. The class was taught by Preston Tyree and included three other LCIs.
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