January 17, 2012  
Greetings!

We are looking forward to seeing a few visitors at League HQ here in D.C. Later this week, the annual meeting of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) convenes, followed next week by the Transportation Research Board. The latter brings  thousands of transportation researchers to town, including several hundred who focus on non-motorized transportation; the NCUTCD is a much smaller group (including League representatives) that helps shape (quite literally) the signs, signals and markings we all use on our nation's roads. Not the most glamorous or high-profile folks, but arguably amongst the most important in shaping the long term viability of bicycling in our communities. Welcome to Washington!  

 

Sincerely,  

 


Andy Clarke
League President

National News
National Park Service Community Based Projects  
The National Park Service staff will be helping with more than 200 projects with community-based partners across the country in 2012. In each of these efforts, neighbors are working together to create sustainable communities that give every American places to walk, ride, paddle, and explore and connect with nature. See what's taking shape in your state, and contact your nearest Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) staff member if you would like to discuss how the National Park Service could help you get your community better connected to nature.
UO Student wins Prize for U.S. Bicycling Commuting Infographics 
Kory Northrop, a University of Oregon (UO)student, won the grand prize in a national competition challenging students to create the best graphic presentation of a transportation policy issue. Northrop, an environmental studies graduate student will be honored at the 2012 Transportation Research Board's 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., for his project "Bicycling Commuting Trends in the United States." The graphic shows the relationship between bicycle commuting, safety, and government spending. Read more.
State & Local News
Chicago, Ill. Major Winner in Tiger III Grants       
IIinois received $44.2 million and is the largest recipient in the nation -- 8 percent of total funds -- in the latest round of U.S. Department of Transportation's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants. The third round of TIGER funds doled out $527 million, with 828 applications from all 50 states for a total of $14.1 billion in projects. Illinois' awarded projects include $20 million for Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Blue Line and Chicago Bike Share Program. The grant will jump start Chicago's first large-scale bike sharing program. The program plans to launch in Spring 2012 with 3,000 bikes at 300 solar-powered stations located in high-density areas citywide. An additional 2,000 bikes and 200 stations will be added through 2014. Source: metroplanning.org.
Capital Bike Share Studies Habits of Riders 
Capital Bike Share (CaBi) and the transportation departments of Arlington, Va. and Washington, D.C. asked a team of graduate students from Virginia Tech (VT) and Assistant Professor Ralph Buehler to conduct a survey on the habits, characteristics, and opinions of casual bikeshare users. The final report "Capital Bikeshare Study: A Closer Look at Casual Users and Operations" found that the overwhelming number of people who decided without any pre-planning to go for a bike ride learned about CaBi by seeing the stations or bikes in use. Read the study and the in depth analysis, including a survey of other bikeshare systems in the country, of Washington D.C.'s bike share system.
Bike Bans in Bicycle Friendly Communities?      
Last week we learned of bike bans in two cities designated as Bicycle Friendly Communities - Albuquerque, N.M., and Charleston, S.C. Ironically, both come in the aftermath of tragic fatal crashes involving cyclists in those communities, and neither of the bans really does anything related to solving the causes of the crashes. In Albuquerque, "No Bicycling" signs appeared last week on Chappell Road - a popular connecting route for area cyclists - and in Charleston riders are threatened with enforcement of a ban on the James Island Connector, a critical link from downtown Charleston to the west. In both cases we are working with local cycling groups to resolve the issues and encourage League members to contact Bike ABQ, the Duke City Wheelmen, and Charleston Moves respectively.
Nebraska Three-Foot Passing Law      
Nebraska State legislators and advocates have just introduced a three-foot safe passing law. This is a great step forward for the state and comes on the heels of Omaha's recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community. Visit Omaha Bikes for more information.
General Mills Albuquerque Wins LEED Certification  
General Mills Albuquerque, N.M. facility -- a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Business -- was awarded the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED� Gold certification this month. This is the first General Mills' production facility, and the fourth company building, to earn LEED certification. They received the LEED certification in part to their bicycle-friendliness. The plant purchased several bicycles that are loaned to employees for commuting, and partnered with the city of Albuquerque to install 30 bike lockers to store the loaners as well as employees' personal bikes. Read more.
Bike Summits from Coast to Coast  
Great bike summits are popping up around the country already for 2012. Check out these great events if they are in your area; and like always, let us know of any other upcoming bicycle summits.
  • Iowa Bicycle Summit and Expo -- Des Moines, Iowa, January 27-28. This year will feature a consumer bicycle expo on January 28 free to the public. Learn more
  • Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference -- San Antonio, Texas, February 1-3. Register today.  
  • Colorado's second state bike summit -- Denver, Colo., February 6-7. Presented by Bicycle Colorado, the summit will bring together advocates, industry leaders, on- and off-road cyclists, commuters and elected officials and staff from across the state. Register and learn more.
  • Wisconsin Bike Summit -- Madison, Wis. February 21. Register now.   
  •  Maryland Bicycle Symposium-- Annapolis, Md. February 22.  
  • Third annual New Jersey Bike and Walk summit -- New Brunswick, N.J., February 25. Presented by the New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition. Register today.    
  • Minnesota Bike Summit -- Saint Paul, Minn., March 5. Learn more and register.  
  • Oregon Active Transportation Summit -- Salem, Ore., April 16-17. Learn more.  
World News
Global Study Links Car Ownership to Heart Attacks 
The worldwide INTERHEART study has shown that physical activity during work and leisure time significantly lowers the risk of heart attacks in both developed and developing countries. Ownership of a car and a television -- which promotes sedentary behavior -- was independently associated to an increased risk of heart attacks,  particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The study included 29,000 people from 262 centres in 52 countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, North and South America.
League News 
Voting is Open for League Board Elections 
If you are a League member, please take part and vote in the League Board Elections -- voting will close January 31 . All current election info, including: candidate bios, timeline and membership voting process, can be found at bikeleague.org/elections. If you have problems logging in, please e-mail scott@bikeleague.org.
Bicycle Friendly America Deadlines
Bicycle Friendly America (BFA) application deadlines are approaching, and if you want your community, business, university or state to be judged, please adhere to the following deadlines:

For more information, e-mail bfa@bikeleague.org.  

Become a League Cycling Instructor
If you are an experienced and knowledgeable cyclist with a desire to make cycling safe and accessible for others, you are on the right track to becoming a League Cycling Instructor (LCI). The League seeks to certify members as LCIs -- membership in the League is required -- who are self-starters, passionate about cycling and are recognized within their communities as riders with experience and know how. Completion of a Traffic Skills 101 course is a prerequisite for attending a LCI seminar, and seminars are normally one evening and two full days. The registration fee is $200 and includes the League Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling book, Enjoy the Ride DVD and Smart Cycling instructor materials. Registrants are still needed for a few upcoming seminars -- please click here to see list and register.
Club Insurance Roll-out  
The League's 2012 club insurance program is on the cusp of rolling out, and we will have you prepared and ready to register with several resources. Informational materials about the 2012 insurance program will be available tomorrow (check bikeleague.org/clubs), and registration will begin next week. A recording of last week's Club Insurance webinar is also available here --  which is also where the other materials will be once they become available. If you have any insurance questions, please e-mail Scott Williams.
Professional Opportunities  
Safe Routes to School National Partnership 
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is hiring seven state advocacy organizers (one per state) in California, Florida, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. Applications are due on Thursday, February 2nd, at 5:00 p.m. PT. The California position begins February 13, and the other six positions begin on March 1.
League of Michigan Bicyclists 
The League of Michigan Bicyclists is looking to hire a new Associate Director position. Apply today!
Bike Cleveland  
Bike Cleveland, formed in September 2011, is seeking an inaugural Executive Director. Find out more.
Stanford University  
Parking & Transportation Services at Stanford University are recruiting a new TDM Coordinator position. To view the job description and apply online, visit jobs.stanford.edu, click on the Begin Your Job Search bar, and enter 45887 (the job number) into the Keyword Search box.
Bike New York  
Bike New York's Education department is seeking a Youth Programs Manager. Apply now.

Share this American Bicyclist Update with your cycling friends and fellow bike commuters. The generous support from the League's members make publications like this possible. Join the League today.
The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.
In This Issue
NPS Community Projects
Bicycling Infographic
Chicago Tiger Projects
CaBi VT Report
BFC Bike Bans?
Nebraska 3-Foot Law
General Miils LEED
Bike Summits
Cars Link to Heart Attacks
Vote - Board Elections
BFA Deadlines
LCI Certification
Club Insurance
Job Opportunities
team 7-eleven
alaskabike
Quick Links


Bike League Twitter

Join Our Mailing List