The League of American Bicyclists is proud to announce 16 new Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC), five renewing BFCs and 19 Honorable Mentions. As we have seen in the last few cycles, the majority of the new BFCs are in the East and Midwest – three quarters of the awarded communities are east of the Mississippi River. Additionally, two new states now have designated BFCs: Newark, Del. and Simsbury, Conn. “Communities from all areas of the country, climates and populations see bicycling as an integral component of building livable communities. The Bicycle Friendly Community program is recognizing those leading the way,” said Andy Clarke, League President.
The explosive growth of the BFC Program demonstrates how communities across the country see the importance of promoting bicycling to improve public health, improve quality of life, protect the environment and provide better transportation choices. Exciting work is being done to improve conditions for cycling countrywide, and the growth in the quality of bicycling efforts can be seen in the number of Honorable Mentions given out this round. “We are excited to see the level of interest and quality of programs. We look forward to partnering with these communities to improve conditions for cycling,” said Bill Nesper, Director of the Bicycle Friendly America program. “We want these communities to move up the ranks of the program, and our staff is dedicated to providing assistance to awarded and aspiring Bicycle Friendly Communities.” Every community that applies receives a bicycle-friendly roadmap, feedback on how to improve conditions for cycling. The roadmap is working. This round saw several communities returning after implementing previous feedback with good results. Rochester, Minn. moved from an Honorable Mention received in 2006 to a Bronze-level BFC, and two communities Salt Lake City, Utah and Flagstaff, Ariz. moved up from Bronze to Silver.
Under the leadership of Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, a regular cyclist, the city has moved from their 2007 Bronze designation to Silver. “We have seen notable results of Salt Lake City’s commitment to increasing bikeways and creating solutions for alternative modes of transportation,” said Becker. They have used the program and now Salt Lake City has a comprehensive approach to accommodating and welcoming cyclists, and the city’s percentage of bicycle commuters continues to grow – 4 times the national average.
Flagstaff, Ariz. also moved up from their 2006 Bronze designation to Silver. The community is known for its commitment to investing in cycling and encouragement efforts, such as the citywide commuter challenge, the world-class Flagstaff Urban Trails System and 200 miles of singletrack.
The BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress and work toward improving their bicycle-friendliness. The application process to become a BFC is rigorous; currently only 140 of the 359 total applicants have a BFC four-year designation. The renewal process and four levels of the award – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve. The new and expanded BFC program began at the League in 1995, and in the past 15 years it has evolved into the tool it is today – evaluating, recognizing and improving cities, states and businesses.
The Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, and Bicycle Friendly Business programs are generously supported by program partners Bikes Belong and Trek Bicycle’s One World, Two Wheels Campaign. To learn more, visit bicyclefriendlycommunity.org.
Climate and transportation legislation remains “imminent” (and long overdue) in the United States Congress
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just launched new recommendations for improving health through transportation policy…totally new territory in Government collaboration
In the next 30 days, you’ll see a new group of designated Bicycle Friendly Communities announced (tomorrow, in fact); a testament to the commitment of Mayors and community leaders to making their communities better places to bike.
On Monday, a National Physical Activity Plan will be launched, setting ambitious targets for getting people to bikes for short, every day trips.
Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day (May 21) are fast approaching and will see unprecedented media coverage (my prediction…).
The competitive urge in all of us will be satisfied by the Tour of California.
A time for reflection comes May 19th with the annual Ride of Silence; hope and inspiration is the hallmark of the Ride 2 Recovery event from DC to Virginia Beach, when you can ride with recovering military veterans.
Clarke was appointed to the position of Executive Director in April of 2004 after successfully leading efforts to create, interpret and implement the various transportation programs that are available to improve conditions for bicycling and walking as the League’s State and Local Advocacy Director.
Back in January, we told you that distracted driving had a new enemy and that her name was Oprah. Now to close out Distracted Driving Awareness Month Oprah has declared today No Phone Zone Day.
You can also get your hands on a new cell phone application that freezes your phone so you can’t text, talk or browse, when travelling at over ten miles an hour.
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
With funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and Tiger Grants, rumble strips may be coming to a road near you. The League of American Bicyclists is working with Adventure Cycling and the Alliance for Bicycling and Walking to make sure states follow FHWA guidance to minimize the impact of rumbling strips on cyclists. Adventure Cycling’s Jim Sayer wrote an excellent account of the groups’ meeting with two officials Federal Highways. (It includes this listing of rumble strip practices by state.) Here’s an excerpt from the post:
We emphasized that we were not opposed to rumble strips when properly applied but that the evidence was demonstrating that states and counties were forgetting about the importance of cyclists’ safe use of secondary roads — and the clearguidance provided by many states and the FHWA on how to apply rumbles in a way that respects the needs of all users. The indiscriminate use of rumbles also contradicts the recent directive of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that bicycling and walking should be considered as “equal modes” of transportation to motorized vehicles.
Joe and David were cordial, had clearly done their research, and had given a lot of thought to the subject. They promised to follow up with Administrator Mendez and with us, and thought they could provide some form of information to agencies about the proper use and application of rumbles. They also let us know that they are doing an in-depth update of their technical guidance on rumbles, due out later this summer, and asked for our input.
Adventure Cycling’s Ginny Sullivan was kind enough to pass on a very good example of the impact rumble strips can have on bicycling routes. A bicyclist was stuck by a truck in Bryan County, GA. A commenter wrote: “I actually saw the accident occur. The bicyclist was at fault. The cyclist was trying to avoid the divots/ripples on the shoulder/bike lane of the road and in doing so continuously went ONTO THE ROADWAY. This cause the driver of the truck to hit the cyclist.” The quote and this photograph, I believe, speak for themselves.
Photo from Savannahnow.com
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
The New York Times reported today on new cycling counts in New York City that estimate the number of daily New York City cyclists at 236,000. As it happens, this comes the same day an advance copy of a new case study on bicycling in New York City landed in my inbox. Cycling in New York(PDF), by bicycling researchers John Pucher, Lewis Thorwaldson, Ralph Buehler, and Nicholas Klein, will be published in World Transport Policy and Practice this summer.
The report tracks trends in demographics (age and gender), safety, the bicycle facility network (including the new cycle tracks and green lanes), bike parking, bikes on transit and the city’s education and promotion efforts.
The report supports the growth reported by today’s Times article:
“Both the US Census data and NYC DOT indicator show a gradual increase in cycling levels from 1990 to 2000 but show accelerated growth after 2000, especially after 2005. As noted later, that spur in cycling was encouraged by a massive expansion in cycling infrastructure throughout the city, but especially in the core areas with the highest cycling levels.”
There are a number of good visuals to check out. Here’s a sample. The first shows the neighborhoods with the highest share of bike commuting residents.
The second shows that in all boroughs, women more often ride on multi-use paths over on-street facilities.
UPDATE: Added some additional images. The first below describes the growth in bicycle facilities in New York City by type. Order from top: route (green) , on-street (red) , path (blue).
This next graph shows bike commuter levels by borough (order from the top: Staten Island, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan).
New York's Grand Central Terminal (Photo: John Pucher)
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Every time I get to teach a class, either school children, novice road cyclists, or future instructors, I remember why I love this job. I get out in the fresh air, I get to meet some great people and I get to ride a bike. It doesn’t get much better than that. We have a great education program with great instructors to train everyone from the rank beginner to someone getting back on a bike after thirty years off. Lots of changes are going on now. If you are looking for a class, use our course and instructor finder.
This weekend in Austin, we had a group of students from Team Luna Chix who encourage women to get active and ride. No racing, just riding. They also raise money for the Breast Cancer fund which works to prevent this terrible disease. In addition we had two “old” guys, one retired from flying Harrier jets for the Marines and one retired from being an Air Traffic Controller. Their participation made for a great class with lots of chatter and people learning some things about bike handling and lane positioning.
District of Columbia DOT head Gabe Klein and US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood talk bikes on NRP — right now. The audio will be available online after 7:00pm EST.
A quiet revolution is starting in the world of transportation.
Ray LaHood, the Secretary of Transportation, recently announced what he’s calling a “sea change” in transportation policy: He wants to make biking as important as driving.
“We’re elevating it to the point where as we develop new road systems, as we develop communities where people can use light rail or street cars or buses, bike trails and walking paths will be equal partners if you will, and equal components of those kinds of transportation opportunities in communities across America,” LaHood tells NPR’s Guy Raz.
Right now, about 90 percent of the country commutes to work by car.
“We’ve put almost all of our resources into roads,” LaHood says. “If the commitment when President Eisenhower signed the interstate bill had been to high speed inner-city rail, we’d be in the same position Europe and Asia are in today.”
LaHood is also floating the idea of a nationwide interstate biking system – the two-wheel equivalent of Eisenhower’s highway system.
Some advocates for drivers and truckers are worried that this new focus on biking could divert resources from roads. But LaHood says the Department of Transportation isn’t looking to take away anyone’s turf – just to provide alternatives.
“We know that 90 percent of the people aren’t going to be cycling to work,” he says. “But that opportunity and that option and that kind of alternative is something we think people want.”
Speaking of NPR, they followed the story above with one on texting and biking:
State Sen. Joe Simitian drafted the proposed law, which is now making its way through the Senate. He says cyclists should have been included in the ban on texting and using hand-held cell phones all along.
“As it happens, in this case there was an oversight when we passed our hands-free law some years ago, and cyclists were inadvertently omitted,” he says.
But Simitian has gotten a mixed reaction.
“There are some folks who say, ‘I’m not sure I want to be liable for a fine if I’m violating the hands-free law.’ Others say, ‘You know what? We want to be taken seriously as part of the transportation system. If we’ve got a right to share the road, then we also have a responsibility to follow the laws and the rules of the road that apply to everybody else.’ “
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
The statement starts with this, “The primary responsibility of the driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely. The task of driving requires full attention and focus. Drivers should resist engaging in any activity that takes their eyes and attention off the road for more than a couple of seconds. In some circumstances even a second or two can make all the difference in a driver being able to avoid a crash.” The Frequently asked questions then offer a good summary of distracted driving’s risks and research.
On the whole it’s a good primer on distracted driving and worth reading, but I have one bone to pick. After a strong opening about how safe driving is a driver’s primary responsibility, the FAQs suggests that states take do something that diverts attention away from driver responsibility and can create a lot of problems for cyclists: installing rumble strips.
Here’s the offending passage:
States can take some steps immediately to reduce the risks of distracted driving. One example is installing rumble strips along roads to get the attention of drivers before they leave the roadway and/or deviate from their lane.
Rumble strips occupy the best part of the shoulder to bike on and can force cyclists onto the debris-ridden outer edge of the shoulder or into high speed travel lanes. The stimulus law has created greater urgency for cyclists to speak out against the proliferation of rumble stripping because the America Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) has provided funds that states can use to install rumble strips. (Google “ARRA rumble strips” for examples.) Plans for the strips stretch beyond interstates and limited access highways to slower otherwise bike-friendly roads and threaten thousands of miles of good bicycling routes.
Notwithstanding the insertion of rumble strips into the discussion, NHTSA has put together a strong statement on distracted driving. Again, it’s worth a read. And while you’re on the topic, you can check out our report, Distracted Driving: a Bicycling Advocate’s Resource.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
I would tell you that League President Andy Clarke and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood participated in a great Safe Routes to School event in Indianapolis today a few days after share time on BicycleRadio, but the Secretary has already covered the day better than I could. So I’ll quote at some length from his post:
I cannot imagine a better way to begin Grandparents Day than by walking two of my grandkids, Ella and Henry, to school with my wife, Kathy. And to combine that with a schoolwide event at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis celebrating Safe Routes to School is really a terrific bonus…
Meanwhile, other kids from the school joined the “bicycle train,” sort of a walking school bus on wheels. And, since I can’t be in two places at once–I really wanted to!–today’s special bike train guest was a great Safe Routes partner, Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists.
You may have heard me and Andy on the air this week during the BicycleRadio.com broadcast Tuesday night. If you didn’t, I encourage you to download a podcast of the internet radio show; there’s been a lot of exciting developments lately regarding DOT and non-motorized ways of getting around, and that excitement made the show a lot of fun.
Andy Clarke and Secretary LaHood (Photo from Welcome to the Fast Lane Blog -- www.fastlane.dot.gov)
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Yesterday was Earth Day and May is National Bike Month, so I’m sure many of you are thinking about how you could positively contribute to mother Earth and drive less, right? Bicycling is the answer of course, and the bright future of bike-sharing will make it all the more easier to bike those 2-mile or less trips. Bike-sharing exploded in Europe and has finally reached stateside – first with Smart Bike D.C. and now with B-Cycles debuting in Denver, Colo. this week (reported by Thrillist).
Photo by Caroline Cahill
The Bike-share concept is one of ease and convenience: pick up a bike at a local bike-share station, run your errands, and drop off the bike at ANY bike-share station in the city. B-cycles has now made it even easier, more informative and fun. They have membership options ranging from 24-hour to yearly, membership includes a universal swipe card, the bikes are Trek GPS-enabled cruisers, and the bikes log data on your personal B-cycle account page: length/duration of each ride, your carbon offset, and how many calories you’ve burned. Basically, B-cycle has stepped up the American bike-share concept.
If you’re jealous of Denver and all of its awesome GPS, data tracking bike-sharing, visit bcycle.com and vote for your city to be the next B-cyle location. You could be the next lucky person riding their shiny silver bikes, complete with basket, and visiting their tricked-out wireless, solar powered stations.
Meghan Cahill League Director of Communications
Cahill joined the League in December 2008 and has a BA in Media Communications with a concentration in Italian Studies from the College of Charleston.
Denver celebrates Earth Day by launching a 400 bicycle bike share program (BikeDenver)
Bike backlash from business turns to can’t beat’em join ‘em as AASHTO gets in the livability game. (Streetsblog Capitol Hill)
Senator John Kerry, who was spotted riding his bike in D.C. this week by a friend of the League, says the time is right for energy legislation. (Politico)
Does transportation need a sustainability measurement system? (National Journal)
Small businesses are taking steps to be environmentally friendly, but aren’t yet making transportation a top priority (Business Wire)
A little wonky trivia: Cities with a modal share of public transport, cycling and walking above 55 percent produce on average about 2.4 tons less CO2 from passenger transport per capita per year than cities where the modal share of private motorised modes is above 75 percent. (International Association of Public Transportation)
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Indianapolis is on the move toward becoming a great Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC). The city was awarded a Bronze-level BFC designation in 2009, and the mayor of Indianapolis Greg Ballard will share developments regarding Indianapolis’ bike lanes, their annual Bike to Work Day and the 2010 Mayor’s Bike Ride – among other sustainability and connectivity initiatives – today, April 22 at 2 p.m. in the City Market Plaza. Andy Clarke, League President will also be at the event as a featured speaker and will present the BFC sign and award and discuss how important bicycling is to communities, businesses and their residents. Learn more about Indianapolis’ commitment to bicycling at www.sustainindy.org
Additionally, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, along with Clarke, Mayor Ballard, and Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) will participate in a local Safe Routes to School program by biking/walking to school with St. Thomas Aquinas students and their families on one of their “walking school bus” routes on Friday, April 23 from 7:35-7:50 a.m. Clarke will lead the “bike train” to school with students and their grandparents.
Learn about the schools program here. The Safe Routes to School program is part of the Department of Transportation’s commitment to livable communities and First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative.
Meghan Cahill League Director of Communications
Cahill joined the League in December 2008 and has a BA in Media Communications with a concentration in Italian Studies from the College of Charleston.
Yesterday, the Michigan House voted 74-33 to ban texting while driving as a primary offence, meaning that police can ticket for driving while texting without seeing another violation. This is a pleasant surprise and a victory for the elected officials and bicycling advocates who had been pushing for a strong law for months. In our report, Distracted Driving: a Bicycling Advocate’s Resource, we told the story of the League of Michigan Bicyclists and lawmakers trying to strengthen the law. Law enforcement officials felt that creating a weak secondary offence for texting would give offenders of the state’s harsher ‘careless driving’ law a milder plea bargain option. The law that the House passed yesterday would make such plea bargaining less likely. Before the bill becomes law, the Michigan House and Senate have to negotiate a package of laws for Governor Granholm to sign. That is expected to happen soon. Congratulations to Michigan and the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
Other cycling organizations have made banning texting a priority as well. The Florida Bicycle Association made banning texting while driving one their top legislative priorities at the Florida Bike Summit. Florida is approaching the end of their legislative session with their texting ban headed to the Senate floor and working through two less enthusiastic committees in the House. Florida residents can click here to urge key House committee members to advance the bill.
Local Motion is working for a distracted driving law in Vermont. The Senate passed a texting ban and the House added a handheld cell phone ban. Now the two chambers need to come to an agreement. Vermont residents can urge them to do so here.
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
League President Andy Clarke and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood teamed up for an all-star appearance on BicycleRadio tonight to discuss the state of national and local bike policy. Andy talked about upcoming National Bike Month, Bike to Work Day, and the Ride of Silence. The Secretary described his own love of cycling in the D.C. area with his wife (giving a shout-out to the C&O Canal trail) and the importance of providing transportation options for Americans.
The hosts asked the Secretary about some of the flack he’s taken for his speaking up for bicycling. “We’re on the side of the American people and American families,” LaHood said, “We’re not going to be dissuaded by our detractors.” He then went on to remind the audience that “we’re in a bicycling moment.” What can we do to keep it going? The Secretary said, “I encourage people to get involved and join local bicycling groups, and if you have to, start your own.”
At the end, Andy got a chance to mention LaHood’s dedication to reducing distracted driving (Michigan passed a texting ban today) and the scourge of rumble strips.
At some point, you’ll be able to hear all that and the Gary Fisher interview to find out where mountain biking is growing the most in the U.S. on the i-Tunes podcast.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
League President Andy Clarke will join Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood on BicycleRadio at 10:00 pm EST (7:00pm PST) tonight. They will be talking about the USDOT policy statement on bicycling and walking and their upcoming trip to an Indianapolis Safe Routes to Schools event. Gary Fisher will also give a recap on the Sea Otter Classic. Don’t miss it.
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Just in case you didn’t believe us that League President Andy Clarke visited Long BEach, CA, last week, LA Streetsblog has provided photographic evidence (and a nice write-up of the visit).
(Photo credit: Drew Reed/ LA Loyalist) Andy points to a local example of well executed bicycle planning
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
… but also wonders how replicable a model it is. Here’s the article.
Credit: AP via the Economist
Naturally in an article about Portland, biking gets a prominent mention:
The environment is also the main theme of public policy. The biggest force in local politics is not a party (Democrats in effect rule without opposition) but cyclists. The bike lanes are impressive and getting even better now as streets get “bioswales”, patches of turf and shrub that capture and filter storm water and simultaneously calm traffic and separate pedestrians and cyclists from the Priuses. Those who can’t bike are encouraged to use public transport, which is free downtown.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
You see, Tupeloans get it. They get that this policy and their complete streets ordinance will lead to a healthier and safer environment, a more active lifestyle, and lower obesity rates. They get that housing and commercial spaces in walkable and bikeable neighborhoods are more valuable. They get that having people out and about–whether biking or walking or riding transit–helps build stronger communities.
And they get that having great schools, parks, jobs, and services within biking and walking distance of thousands of Tupeloans is only useful when local infrastructure makes biking and walking safe.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
League President Andy Clarke was just out in Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community Long Beach, CA. getting a tour of the local bike facilities from mobility coordinator Charlie Gandy. But you don’t have to go out to sunny SoCal to take a look at what they’re doing for bicyclists. Check out this new video from StreetFilms.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Bike club leaders met in Milwaukee, Wis. this past weekend to share best practices during the League’s Club Leadership Training. The Training proved to be an opportunity for new and veteran leaders to discuss what works best in their club, where they need to improve, and the things that can be done to grow. Topics of discussion included leader transitions, organizing rides and volunteers, membership, budgeting, club insurance, marketing, and ways to grow the advocacy component of clubs.
If you’re interested in attending a future Club Leadership Training, stay tuned to the Cue Sheet and American Bicyclist Magazine – the League hopes to offer two more this year.
The presentations from Milwaukee will be posted here early next week – so stay tuned!
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
In a new message on his website, Congressman LaTourette (R-OH) expressed regret at the uproar caused by his questions to the Undersecretary of Tranportation about the USDOT policy statement during a recent Congressional hearing. LaTourette’s comments at the hearing provoked a strongresponse from advocates. And you let the Congressman know about it.
In his message, the Congressman reaffirmed his commitment to bicycling infrastructure. He ended with this:
I regret the online story caused so much anxiety and that it made some of you question me. Nothing has changed my ardent support of bike trails, bike lanes and the right of cyclists to share the road. This has been a lesson on the power of the Internet, and it sure has given me a new respect for the fierce advocacy from the cycling community. I hope this will clear up any misunderstandings, and please know I will continue to be a strong advocate on your behalf. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
We thank the Congressman for this message and congratulate the advocates who voiced their concern to the Congressman.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
DATE: May 19, 2010
TIME: 7:00 pm
WHERE: Hundreds of locations world wide
Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.
Why ride?
* To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
* To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
* To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD
Courtesy of Ride of Silence
THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET
On May 19, 2010, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will 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.
In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed. (Read the full history here…)
The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.
Please check the resources on this site. If there is a Ride of Silence in your area, we encourage you to join them. If there is not a ride planned in your area, please consider adding your city to the ever-growing list of sites. To get information on how to organize and host a Ride of Silence, please click here; you might also want to look at our FAQ.
Meghan Cahill League Director of Communications
Cahill joined the League in December 2008 and has a BA in Media Communications with a concentration in Italian Studies from the College of Charleston.
In our report on distracted driving we mention the important role that Matt Richtel’s Driven to Distraction series in the New YorkTimes played in publicizing the research on the risks of distracted driving. Richtel was way out ahead of the story and deserves a lot of credit for keeping the issue on people minds over the past year and a half. Now, that credit has come from the most high profile source for a journalist: Richtel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting.
Well done, Matt.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
We often receive calls and emails about cyclists being buzzed from motorists. We’ve experienced this ourselves, and it’s particularly scary and infuriating when it happens intentionally. It’s why we support 3-foot or greater passing laws and enhanced penalties for motorists and passengers who taunt or harass cyclists. Finding the perpetrators can be tough and having enough evidence for officers to bring charges is even tougher. Not so in Abigdon, VA:
J.W. Kiser was pedaling along at about 15 mph near the Emory & Henry campus when a maroon car full of teenagers pulled up right beside him. He thought they were trying – successfully – to scare him.
Then they brushed his bright green bicycle. He wobbled, but managed to stay upright as the car sped away.
Angry, Kiser trailed after them. He figured they were probably students, so he cycled around the campus parking lots. In one (loop), around 200 yards from where he’d been hit, he found it – a maroon Chrysler sedan with Florida tags and bright green paint all the way down its side. He took pictures and called the police.
When a Virginia State trooper arrived, Emory & Henry student Joseph Earle, 19, was charged with reckless driving and, later, hit and run with property damage, 1st Sgt. M.R. Willis said.
Kudos to Mr. Kiser for keeping a cool head and handling the situation properly by calling the police- and a job well done to the VA State Trooper who responded.
Jeff Peel State and Local Advocacy Coordinator
Peel joined the League in March 2008 as a Program Specialist for the Bicycle Friendly Communities program. Peel has a BA in American Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Thanks to BikePortland.org for drawing our attention to something we had missed. Not everybody in the freight industry is buying into the phony straw-man argument that giving due consideration to bicycling and walking means the end of our nation’s highways. The editor of Trucker.com wrote a glowing description of Secretary LaHood’s appearance at the National Bike Summit. The first line of which is: We like Ray LaHood. The article goes on to observe that maintained roads are necessary to deliver the bikes to ride on the new bike facilities. This is a much more reasonable reaction to the policy statement than we’ve seen from others.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
In March, we told you about the Lee County Council in Florida that passed a motion of support for the Transportation Secretary’s statement on bicycling and walking. We just learned about another endorsement. This time it came from a Mayor in Mississippi.
Mayor Jack Reed of Tupelo signed a proclamation expressing the city’s official support for the Secretary’s policy.
It reads in part:
WHEREAS, Secretary LaHood’s policy states in part that “Every transportation agency, including the Department of Transportation, has the responsibility to improve conditions and opportunities for walking and bicycling and to integrate walking and bicycling into their transportation systems; and
WHEREAS, because of the numerous individual and community benefits that walking and biking provide – including health, safety, environmental, transportation, and quality of life – transportation agencies are encouraged to go beyond the minimum standards to provide safe and convenient facilities for these modes”; and
WHEREAS, I am pleased to see that the Secretary recognizes the importance of walking and biking, as I do and as the residents of Tupelo do, I hope that the Mississippi Department of Transportation and other cities in Mississippi will recognize and support this policy as well.
This statement is an excellent example of local support that the Secretary is receiving all over the country. Keep ‘em coming!
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
The League is mourning the loss this week of Mike Bayler, an LCI who died while riding his bicycle on April 10, 2010. Patricia Hart, a friend and fellow rider, reports that Mike died while riding with friends near Huntsville, Ala. Mike was League Cycling Instructor #1939 and shared his love for cycling through his teaching.
Patricia’s shared some additional memories of Mike: “He made it seem that cycling was for regular people and wanted to share the joy of cycling. I felt honored that he wanted me to teach with him.”
We offer condolences to Mike’s wife, Sharon, and all his cycling friends. It is some small solace that he was doing something he loved when he died.
The funeral is at the Madison Chapel Funeral Home in Madison, Ala. on Wednesday, April 14, 2010.
In the early nineties, when marketers wanted to know if a clear malt beverage called Zima would sell, they tested it in Syracuse, NY. Apparently, enough Syracusans bought it and the product went to market (for better or worse).
Now that the Department of Transportation wants to know if distracted driving laws can be effectively enforced to reduce reckless driving, where do they go to implement their pilot program? That’s right. Syracuse, NY (this author’s hometown) … and Hartford, CT.
Using the combination of tactics that have worked well for drunk driving and seatbelt use — legislation, enforcement, public outreach, and the support of industry and advocacy groups — the USDOT is will work with local law enforcement officials to undertake a highly visible enforcement effort.
In interviews, law enforcement officials tell me that texting and cell phone laws can be effectively enforced. Studies have shown the impacts; they also reveal the importance of high-visibility enforcement. Hopefully, this concerted effort in Syracuse and Hartford will generate further evidence for the effectiveness of these multi-faceted campaigns.
For more on Distracted Driving, see our Report (pdf) and Fact Sheet (pdf).
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
Polls clearly have a role to play in shaping policy and informing messaging, otherwise we wouldn’t collectively invest in so many of them at such enormous cost. Equally obvious is the need to interpret poll results carefully based on who is asking the questions.
Would the Highway Users Alliance poll answers be different if the question was “would you still support greater investment in roads and bridges if they were deliberately built in such a way as to make them inaccessible to one third of the population who cant drive, inpenetrable to anyone that wants cross from one side of their community to another, and destined to result in even more cars and trucks getting stuck in pretty much the same spot from the moment they are open”? I don’t think so.
Would the T4America poll results be different if their questions concluded with “and by the way we are also going to take your car away from you and your family”? I don’t think so. And I am pretty confident that in this day and age neither AHUA or T4America would either suggest or actually espouse such a foolish view.
As others have said quite effectively, people want choice. They don’t equate roads and bridges as being exclusively for cars and trucks, especially in metro areas – they want the public right of way and the public realm to build community, to generate activity and jobs, and to facilitate commerce, and they understand that there’s a balance to achieving all these goals that isn’t always easy.
My interpretation of what people will actually vote for – as opposed to what they will say in response to a poll – in recent years is that they will vote to tax themselves for smart transportation investments in building sustainable, livable communites that offer transit, bicycling, walking and driving as options; they will vote for park and recreation bond issues and sales tax initiatives that build critical infrastructure such as parks, trails and open space. The public is much more suspicious of, and less likely to fund, “more of the same” monocultural highway expansion projects that are rooted in a 1950′s planning ideology and placed in the hands of heavy-handed state highway agencies with a “trust me we know what’s best for you” approach to project selection.
That’s something we should all pay attention too as we figure out what the public will support and expect their representatives in Washington DC to support as we move forward on the next transportation bill.
Darren Flusche League Policy Analyst
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
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