Bike to Work Week 2006 Grant Winners

Communities across the country win $1,000 to promote bike to work week

The League of American Bicyclists and Shimano America have chosen the winners of the 2006 Bike to Work Week grants. The 2006 winners are communities with new programs or fresh approaches to Bike to Work Week. More than 110 communities applied, and only 15 grants were awarded. We just don't have enough funds to support all of the innovative and exciting cycling programs in the United States. For more information on Bike to Work week, see events across the country by clicking here.

Albany, N.Y.: New York Bicycling Coalition

The New York Bicycling Coalition is planning on using the funds to increase the visibility of their Bike to Work events, including a Legislative Breakfast and ride; a Capital Commuter Contest; and expanding the Bicycle Buddy Commuter Program. To learn more, visit www.nybc.net.

Albuquerque, N.M.: BikeABQ

In 2006, BikeABQ is heading the effort to introduce and encourage commuters to try biking to work in three major employment centers that do not have high bicycle traffic, in additional to traditional areas. To learn more, visit www.bikeabq.org.

El Paso, Texas: Office of the Mayor Pro Tem

The city of El Paso is launching its first ever Bike to Work Day, and coordinating it with the city's mass transit system. Bicycle commuting in El Paso is especially important because of the city's high obesity and poverty rates.

Fairbanks, Alaska: Fairbanks Cycle Club

Fairbanks is a city of 30,000 people with an 8-mile radius, and is known for human and dog-powered adventures. To encourage more people to cycle, the Fairbanks Cycle Club is launching a bike to work day on the advent of the snow-free season. To learn more, visit www.fairbankscycleclub.org.

Ferndale, Wash.: Committee for Liveable Ferndale

Ferndale is launching its first ever Bike to Work Day in 2006, and will teach bike safety to students in the elementary school, use targeted advertising to attract and encourage inexperienced cyclists, and offer raffle prizes and refreshments. To learn more, visit www.mtbakerbikeclub.org.

Fort Collins, Colo.: Bike Fort Collins

In deep budget cuts over the past year, the Friends of Fort Collins Bicycle Program (Bike Fort Collins) lost 90 percent of its funding for Bike Month and Bike to Work Day. The grant money will be used to cover event expenses for their Bike Week program.

Greenville, S.C.: Greenville Spinners

The Greenville Spinners and the City of Greenville are partnering to launch the city's first-ever Bike to Work Day on May 12. The event will serve as a platform to announce that the city is adopting the League of American Bicyclists action plan for becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community.

Lansing, Mich.: Smart Commute

Smart Commute '06 is a second-year effort to establish a Bike to Work Week in Lansing. The city hopes to register 250 first timers, and encourage people in the area to advocate for bike-friendly roads and destinations. For more information, visit www.midmeac.org/smartcommute.

Little Rock, Ark.: Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas

Business interests in Little Rock want to open a popular riding trail to traffic. This year's Bike to Work Day, the area's sixth, will focus on celebrating the world's longest bicycle-pedestrian bridge (which will be completed in Sept. 2006) to emphasizing the need to keep the River Trail traffic free.

New Haven, Conn.: Elm City Cycling

Elm City Cycling is going to use its grant money to purchase large banners, which the city has agreed to hang over main roads to advertise Bike to Work Week to motorists and potential bicycle commuters. They also plan to purchase bike lights and patch kits to give away to commuters.

Omaha, Neb.: Bikeable Communities!

Bikeable Communities! is an alliance of five Nebraska and Iowa counties dedicated to promoting bicycling as a form of recreation and transportation. The group is beginning a Commuter Cycling Awareness Campaign, which will kick off with a Mayor's Ride during National Bike to Work Week. To learn more, visit www.activateomaha.org.

Quad Cities, Iowa: Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Quad Cities Bicycle Week is a week of bicycling-related events from June 10-19, 2006. The event organizers have created a new Web site, www.qcbicycleweek.com, to promote bicycling in the area. The grant will be used to further market these events.

Sacramento, Calif.: Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates

The Sacramento area is using this year's Bike to Work Week to attract media attention; showcase bike improvements; make a strong statement about cycling's cultural acceptability; and to ask all major jurisdictions in the area to apply to become a Bicycle Friendly Community.

State College, Penn.: Centre Region Bicycle Coalition

Founded in 2000, the Centre Region Bicycle Coalition is working hard to gain Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League. Bike to Work Day is central to their efforts to attract more riders, and in 2006 a main street downtown will be closed for the first time. The grant will be used for publicity for this event.

Winston-Salem, N.C.: Neighborhood Transportation

2006 is Winston-Salem's first attempt at a Bike to Work Day, and they are getting things off to a great start. They plan to offer riders a bookbag with a bus pass, safe cycling booklet, water and coupons. They are also creating a PSA, printing banners, and making a video.