With just the smallest spark, a great idea can ignite change across the country.
Here in Washington, D.C., Veronica Davis turned a bold Twitter hashtag into a vibrant new advocacy organization, hundreds of women strong. With just a blog post, Tom Bowden got countless Republicans nodding their heads with his compelling conservative arguments for cycling. With the success of the Bicycle Friendly Business District in Long Beach, Calif., April Economides helped to spur and accelerate the growth of BFBDs in other U.S. — and Canadian — cities.
On Tuesday, after our keynote from AAA’s Yolanda Cade, we’ll invite key change agents to the stage to share, in rapid-fire presentations, their big ideas. From advancing equity to making the economic case for bicycling, these talks will inspire us as we head to Capitol Hill and inform your work back home.
Marketing to the Culture Class: Active Healthy, Affluent and Aware Consumers: Howard Chang, President and CEO, Top Drawer Creative, Toronto
Driving Fast and Riding Slow: The Real Risks of Not Bicycling: Tom Bowden, Chair, BikeVirginia
Creating an Advocacy Organization: Veronica O. Davis, P.E., co-founder, Black Women Bike DC
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
Last year, Susan Meyers went for a tandem bike ride with her husband — blindfolded.
For Meyers (pictured right), cycling without sight was both an experiment and an experience. A contributor for the Boston Globe’s “On Biking” column, Meyers writes to spark debate. So her column on that blindfolded tandem ride, equal parts hilarious and harrowing, wasn’t just a fun read. Her prose had a purpose: Her brother, Andy, had gone blind and given up biking. A call to action and gratitude, she concluded her column with a challenge.
“Sighted bikers… grab a friend, rent a tandem, and tie on a blindfold of your own,” she wrote. “Notice the smells, the sounds, all of the sensations of biking. Then find someone who is blind or low-vision, take them out riding, and see what else you can learn. I promise you, it will be an eye-opener.”
Meyers and her fellow columnist and husband Jonathan Simmons will speak about these personal stories — and the serious effect they have in promoting bicycling — at the 2013 National Bike Summit. Their workshop, “Tell Your Bicycling Story: How to Write Persuasive Stories – and Why!”, will help participants pinpoint their personal stories that can affect change and spark conversation about why biking matters.
The Summit will also feature tips on cranking out provocative content on social media. In “Social Media as an Advocacy Tool,” panelists will breakdown the “do’s and don’ts” on Facebook, Twitter, and more — and highlight how these platforms can be used to promote biking. Even 140 characters alone can have impact, spreading a simple message wide and far with just the click of a button.
Panelists include Barb Chamberlain, of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington; Mary Madden, of Internet and American Life Project at the Pew Research Center; and Mathilde Piard, of Cox Media Group.
Be sure to catch these workshops at the National Bike Summit in March, and learn the ways the pen truly is mightier. Register for the Summit today!
Liz Murphy Communications Manager
Ms. Murphy joined the League in January 2013. She previously worked as a reporter covering the Justice Department. Liz has journalism and women's studies degrees from Penn State University. She commutes to work on her bright red bike daily.
The highlight of my trip to Interbike this year didn’t happen on the trade show floor. Several flights below the sales pitches and shiny new bikes, at the OIWC awards reception, Pat Cunnane, president of Advanced Sports International, shared a call to action to bring more women into the bike industry.
We knew we needed to continue that discussion at the National Women’s Bicycling Forum. From the bikes we ride to the advertising messages we see, the industry plays a major role in encouraging more women to ride and we’re bringing together a diverse panel of leaders from Giant, Gazelle, REI and ASI to delve into three specific areas: product, marketing and workforce diversity.
Stephanie Genuardi (pictured), marketing communications manager at ASI, is a perfect example of the company’s commitment to workplace diversity. Schooled as a journalist, Genuardi came to ASI with no background in biking — but she’s quickly become a passionate bicyclist and incredible ambassador for the brand. Read more about Genuardi below and register for the Women’s Forum today!
Who or what inspired you to start riding?
Beyond beach cruising and riding to meet up with friends in the neighborhood when I was a kid, I had never ridden before joining ASI. But once I commit to something, I fully immerse myself in it. When I took on the job of blogging about our pro tour team in particular and, in turn, became rather obsessed with the sport, I knew I had to get out and try it for myself. And at ASI, I’m surrounded by people who love riding and would love nothing more than to get more people on bikes. They were encouraging, patient, and willing to help/teach.
What’s your riding style / bike background? Do you commute? Ride on the weekends? Participate in cause rides or races?
I’m a weekend rider. I can never seem to find time during the week, and I live 30+ miles away from the office – which makes commuting pretty challenging. I’m pretty new to road riding but am slowly building up my mileage. I also am a self-admitted fair-weather rider. I went to school in Miami. I love the heat and hate the cold!
It looks like you have a background in newspapers and magazines? What brought you from Miami to Philly?
Home base is Philadelphia. I went to an all-girls, Catholic high school in the Philly suburbs and was yearning for diversity, which led me to the University of Miami. I majored in print journalism and English literature, with a minor in political science. I loved my time there. After graduating, I worked for several months at The Miami Herald as a breaking new reporter and really enjoyed my work. Unfortunately, there are so few opportunities in print journalism right now. As soon as I left, the newspaper laid off nearly 100 employees.
How did you get into the bike world professionally?
After leaving The Miami Herald, I struggled to find a job in journalism. I had a contact at ASI, and they were looking for writing help with an upcoming project. I was hired as an intern, fell in love with the company and cycling, and was offered the opportunity to stay on. Three years later, I’m the Marketing Communications Manager.
Was it a challenge to come into the industry without that retail background (which, too often, seems to be a preconceived criteria for success)?
In many ways, it was definitely a challenge. I knew nothing about bikes before joining ASI. It was a whole new vocabulary to learn and way of thinking. But I like a challenge. And I hate being behind the curve. So I asked a ton of questions and just immersed myself in it. This past year at Interbike, as I was walking editors through the line and explaining our High Compaction carbon molding process and the shortened chainstays on our revamped Tahoe 29 rear triangle, I was pretty proud of how far I’ve come. I still have a long way to go but making big strides. I think my journalism background prepared me for it. When I was writing a feature story, I had to become an expert in the topic I was writing about – no matter how foreign it was to me. I also think there are basic, inherently valuable skills that both me and some of my non-industry coworkers bring to the table that others within the industry might not: new perspectives, context, critical thinking for example.
I’ve heard Pat Cunnane [president of ASI] speak about ASI’s true and unique commitment to addressing gender equity — how has that played out for you in your work?
ASI has provided me with every opportunity to excel. They’ve trusted me and encouraged me to pursue everything I’ve wanted. Despite being outside of industry, they’ve placed total confidence in my ability to get things done. They provide the platform for their employees – particularly their female employees – to succeed, regardless of gender and background.
What are you most excited about in your work for ASI — especially as it pertains to getting more women engaged in the industry or riding bikes?
I manage our brands’ social media presence, particularly for Fuji. Since I took over the Fuji Facebook page a year and a half ago, we’ve grown by nearly 20,000 fans. I recently received a message from a fan saying how much he loves our Facebook page because it represents everything as a company we are passionate about and doesn’t just tell the stories of our sponsored athletes but also those of regular people. It’s the stories of our customers and consumers that I enjoy telling most and that I believe inspire growth – ultimately getting more people on bikes.
Examples of some of my favorite recent content: A photo of our Nigerian distributor visiting Fuji headquarters explaining his mission of growing the sport of cycling in his country, where it is largely undeveloped; a photo of man with his new Fuji mountain bike setting a goal of a 100-pound weight loss, with fans chiming in with their own stories, sharing advice, and wishing him luck; a photo of a dad an daughter out on their first-ever ride together.
What’s the best thing about working for a bike company?
Working in a laid-back environment filled with great people who are passionate about what they do and marketing/selling a product that offers a healthy, happy lifestyle.
What’s the best piece of advice another woman ever gave you about riding?
Hmmm. I really can’t think of anything for this question. I’ve actually received the most advice from ASI President Pat Cunnane, who has taught me pretty much everything I know about riding thus far – teaching me how to shift, how to ride in a group, how to ride in a city.
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
We know bicycling is a simple to solution to many complex problems. One of the most pressing and politically prominent problems over the past few years has been the struggling economy, as states and cities compete to attract employers, workers, young people, and visitors, while tightening their budgets.
Bicycling has an important role in making communities attractive places to visit, live, and work. And we can prove it — with numbers. And we will at the National Bike Summit.
More than ever transportation decision makers and elected officials are open to the argument that balanced multi-modal transportation systems, that include safe and attractive bicycling and walking, have positive benefits for communities. But the message needs to be delivered without hyperbole and with real world examples close to home.
That’s what the National Bike Summit is all about: bringing bicyclists from all of the country to Washington, D.C., to tell stories from their own communities about the power – in this case, the economic power – of bicycling; and to do it armed with latest, local, regional, and national research and data.
Whether it’s in meeting on the Hill or closer to home, the best thing you can do is tell your personal story. Whether it’s about your own shopping habits by bike, a new bicycle business district, or your family’s household transportation savings to buy more locally produced goods, those stories build the credibility of the economic argument and show real-world impacts for the policymaker’s constituents.
But since we also live in a policy climate in which everything needs to be quantified, we need to marshal supporting data. At the Summit we will be hosting a panel, Bicycling Means Business: Getting the Facts Straight, to lay out the latest research on the economic impacts of active transportation, bicycling events, bicycle tourism, and the full range of societal benefits of bicycling.
The panel will be the very first public presentation of new research from:
Charles Brown, Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center, presenting “Economic Impacts of Active Transportation on New Jersey’s Economy”
Kristin Dahl, Travel Oregon, presenting “The Power of the Pedal: Economic Impact study of Bike Tourism”
Jerry Norquist, National Bicycle Tour Directors Association, presenting “The Economics of Bicycle Events”
Ken Colburn, Symbiotic Strategies LLC, presenting “Analyzing and Quantifying the Multiple Benefits of Bicycling” (with Christopher James)
The results of this new work are on such super-secret lockdown that I can’t even preview them here. But in the meantime you can read all about the economic impacts of bicycling in our Advocacy Advance report. To help attendees with their Hill meetings, each presenter will identify a key talking point or two from their research that attendees will be able to use in the Congressional meetings and at home.
From Travel Orgeon’s Kristin Dahl, here’s an example of how to relate a personal story to a broad economic benefits argument:
This panel alone is probably worth the trip to the Summit, but even if you can’t make it, you can learn more about the Summit and how it will improve implementation of the new transportation bill, MAP-21, by joining our Advocacy Advance National Bike Summit webinar tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. eastern. Caron Whitaker and I will talk about:
The current political landscape
Framing the message
The Summit theme, the “ask”, and MAP-21
The outstanding lineup of speakers
The League’s Women Bike and Equity Advisory Council
And what you can do in your home district, even if you can’t make the Summit
We hope to have you on the webinar tomorrow and/or at the Summit in March. Let’s build a bicycle-friendly America!
Darren Flusche League Policy Director
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 couldn’t help but smile as Jason Roberts described the scene.
The founder of Team Better Block was working on a project in San Antonio, Tex., and there was an antique shop owner who was vehemently opposed to the prospect of a bike lane on the six-lane arterial. Roberts knew theoretical talk about the benefits of bike would do nothing to tip the scales.
Instead, he went the business owner, chalk in hand.
He grabbed some orange cones, stood out in front of the antique shop and showed the skeptical owner — in real time — how he could keep his car parking and have bike infrastructure, too.
That’s how Team Better Block rolls — showing as much as telling how streets can be redesigned to benefit bikes AND businesses.
San Antonio is just one of the many communities that has invited Roberts and Team to literally transform economically depressed corridors into vibrant urban centers. In just a few days, the Team works with community members to identify tools and tactics to, as Roberts says, “stitch communities back together” by addressing the massive gulfs created by streets designed solely for cars. Then, they put those ideas on display, using chalk, cardboard, cones and all manners of creative tools to re-imagine the streets in real time and tangible terms. Finally, they invite the community to see, experience and celebrate the potential of their shared streets.
More often than not, seeing the transformation in action — and the impact on local business — turns even the staunchest opponents of bike infrastructure into the most vocal supporters.
Of course, we’re not the only ones in D.C. who have taken note of the Team’s impressive accomplishments. Last year, Roberts was honored by the White House as a Transportation Innovator and Champion of Change. Read more about his work — in his own words — here, and register for the National Bike Summit today!
Carolyn Szczepanski Communications Director
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
Natalie Ramsland is part of a still-small tribe: women who build bicycles… for women.
Ramsland moved to Portland after college because of bikes. She wanted to ride her bike as her main form of transportation. For years, she worked as a bike messenger. Even after she went to graduate school in architecture, her desire to create circled back to cycling.
“I love design,” she says, “but I love bikes more.”
So following in the footsteps of women like Georgena Terry, Ramsland became a framebuilder. Her company, Sweetpea Bicycles, crafts beautiful rides — with names like Farmers Market and Little Black Dress — that are geared specifically for women.
In just a few weeks, Ramsland and Terry — who have never met in person — will share the stage at the National Women’s Bicycling Forum for a dynamic conversation about the history and trajectory of their important work.
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
Adonia Lugo’s resume is a veritable list of the most ground-breaking campaigns to bridge bicycling and social justice. As a co-founder of the City of Lights initiative (now Multicultural Communities for Mobility), CicLAvia, Bicicultures and the Seattle Bike Justice Project, Lugo is a leading voice and on-the-ground innovator in building a more inclusive movement.
I grew up in a town where the Latino families on my side of the railroad tracks were seen as a menace by white residents on the other side, who pulled nearly all the white children out of the local school. When I joined students from the other local elementary school in junior high, a girl informed me that I had attended “the Mexican school.” It wasn’t until years later that it occurred to me that her parents may have been using a term left over from the era of segregated schools in Orange County. When I was a child, I used to watch white recreational cyclists ride past my family’s apartment, using our neighborhood as a connector between regional bike paths. When I got involved in the bike movement in Los Angeles in September 2008, I started hearing advocates talk about being “second-class citizens” on car-dominated streets. I was struck by the irony of hearing white men and women use that term. I wondered how many of them were the products of our society’s informal segregation, where Americans arrange themselves in suburban enclaves according to race and income.
… The burden is on the bike movement to show how our goals are not different from the goals of social justice movements. We want all people to benefit from bicycling. Good for the body, good for the city, good for the planet. But it’s hard to show this when we get dismissed as a selfish group of gentrifiers. We need to work together to confront the inequality that our cities are reproducing by using bike infrastructure as a means to raise property values and push out the poor. Too many American children grow up in isolation from other ways of life, and it is not hard to see how this might affect our ability to understand each other as adults.
… We need a human infrastructure to connect our divided communities. We need bike advocates to go to neighborhood groups and come to a consensus about livability, not as outsiders imposing on longstanding communities from outside, but as engaged leaders in the shift we must make to a cleaner future. Inspired by the work of Dr. King and all the people who have heeded his call, we can bring just conditions of social equality to our country, our streets, and our planet. But we have to work together…
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
It’s all the buzz for bicyclists here in the capital region: The state of Maryland could be the first to pass a law mandating helmet use for all bicyclists regardless of age.
Currently, no state has such a requirement, though a good number have a similar statute to Maryland’s: mandating helmet use for bicyclists under the age of 16.
With all the discussion about helmet laws, I figured it was a good time to tackle this thorny issue in my ongoing Bike Law University series…
What are helmet laws?
Helmet laws require any person on a bicycle wear a helmet. All current helmet laws are directed at persons under the age of 18. No state requires mandatory helmet use by all bicyclists. In many states, helmet laws can be enforced against the person on the bicycle or against a parent of that person. Some states with a mandatory helmet use law limit whether compliance with the law can be considered in civil lawsuits in order to prevent their laws from limiting the recovery of bicyclists who are injured. There are many other variations on the enforcement and effect of mandatory helmet use laws, as discussed through the laws of our spotlight states.
Why should you care?
The use of helmets is perhaps the most common recommendation for safer bicycling. The League has encouraged bicyclists to wear helmets for more than 25 years, and our affiliated clubs and advocacy groups typically require their use on organized rides. However, the League does not support mandatory helmet laws because of the many potential unintended consequences.
The experience of countries with greater bicycle use than the United States tells us that safer bicycling comes from many policy decisions — especially safer infrastructure — and does not require mandatory helmet use laws. Mandatory helmet use laws may hurt bicyclist safety overall by discouraging bicycling, by promoting the idea that it is an unsafe activity or by raising a barrier to transportation choice — despite being the safest choice for an individual cyclist. We all want safer bicycling and policies that encourage more people to ride, provide appropriate facilities, and educate all road users about safely sharing the road. These are likely to be more effective in the long term.
Who has them?
Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have laws that require persons under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Within that, however, the age threshold varies widely. Of states that require helmet use, most (12) only require helmets for persons less than 16 years of age. Of the 15 states that require helmet use, the District of Columbia and Virginia — which does not require helmet use — maintain a law that limits the consideration of failure to wear a helmet in a lawsuit. This protects the ability of a bicyclist who chose not to wear a helmet to recover damages if they are injured in a crash. The need for and effect of such a law may be more or less necessary depending upon how liability or fault is determined in a state.
(Click on the image to view the full chart showing the breakdown of helmet laws across the country.)
Where did they come from?
The first state to pass a mandatory helmet law was California in 1986. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has had mandatory helmet performance requirements for helmet manufacturers since 1999. As of the last revision to the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) in 2000, there is no UVC section equivalent to a helmet law.
Spotlight States – New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
Ken joined the League in 2012 after graduating from William & Mary School of Law. He is a licensed attorney in the state of Virginia. During law school he worked for a private law firm in Cambodia and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Prior to that, Ken worked at a law firm in Orange County and a legal services provider in Seattle. He graduated from Pomona College in 2007 with a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. He began using his bike regularly after college and has been car-free since February 2012.
The League is committed to a bold goal: The diversity of people on bikes will mirror the diversity of America by 2020.
We’ve started the wheels turning toward a more inclusive movement by bringing on a new Equity Fellow and convening an Equity Advisory Council. Now we want to ensure that our biggest event of the year — the National Bike Summit — is as diverse and accessible as possible.
And we need your help.
We’ve set up a campaign on Razoo to help raise funds for our new Cycling Opportunity Grants. These grants will help ensure the participation of bicyclists whose voices are often missing from the national conversation. All funding raised in the Razoo campaign will be awarded as scholarships to COG applications, covering the registration costs for folks’ who would otherwise be unable to attend.
The Cycling Opportunity Grant will benefit people like Mario Giampieri, a co-founder of the Biking Public Project, a delivery cyclist, and a native Spanish speaker. Mario works to expand local cycling advocacy discussions by reaching out to underrepresented bicyclists around New York City including women, people of color, and delivery cyclists.
But don’t stop there — help us spread the word. Here are some ways you can help us get to our $5,000 goal.
Send this e-mail:
“I’m helping the League of American Bicyclists in its effort to make cycling more equitable for all and I thought you might want to help as well. The Cycling Opportunity Grant Fund will provide registration scholarships for the National Bike Summit and support the League’s effort to address equity in cycling. Based on available funding, applicants will be awarded scholarships to cover registration to the Summit in DC. The National Bike Summit is only weeks away so we need you to help us spread the word about this campaign and contribute to make this possible. Donate, share and repeat here: http://bit.ly/11ME4eB”
“Support diverse voices at the National Bike Summit. Donate to the Cycling Opportunity Grant Fund and support a movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for ALL communities. http://bit.ly/11ME4eB#CyclingEquity
We only have a small window to make this possible so we are relying on you to spread the word. Let’s see what we can make happen together.
Hamzat joined the League in September 2012 after working with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. Before working in biking, Hamzat worked with Martin Luther King Jr.’s son as a Program Associate at The King Center in Atlanta. A founder of the Red, Bike and Green chapter in Atlanta, Hamzat sees biking as a hub for change on the communal level.
When Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced his retirement last month, we quickly went from gratitude for his work promoting biking and walking, to wondering who President Obama will tap as his replacement.
Here in Washington the rumor mill is swirling with names and questions:
Will it be the National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Debbie Hersman? She’s already been meeting with Senate Commerce Committee members. (The Commerce Committee holds nomination hearings for the position of Transportation Secretary)
What about Mayor Villaraigosa of Los Angeles? He seemed like a favorite until he announced he wanted to complete is full term as Mayor — which runs until June 30th. Would President Obama wait that long to nominate a cabinet member?
What about former Governors Christine Gregoire of Washington, or Jennifer Granholm of Michigan? Their names are being tossed around for many different cabinet positions.
Speculating on cabinet nominations is a common pastime in Washington, but not necessarily a productive one. As the selection of the next Transportation Secretary gets closer, the America Bikes coalition sent a letter to the President weighing in on the characteristics and qualities we most hope to see in the next Secretary of Transportation.
… We sincerely hope [LaHood's] tenure — and his legacy — is just the start of a new era of transportation policy that embraces all modes of transportation equally and ensures that transportation is more than just an end in itself. We hope your next appointment to this critical position: continues the extraordinary collaboration between DOT, EPA, and HUD, and even extends this multi-disciplinary approach to include health and energy agencies; builds on the remarkable success of the TIGER program in getting more funds directly into the hands of local government entities, where smarter, more equitable and inclusive community development projects emerge, and responds to the clear need for real transportation choices and options to be available to all in our communities…
Caron Whitaker Vice President of Government Relations
Prior to joining the League of American Bicyclists in 2012, Ms. Whitaker served as the Campaign Director for America Bikes where she coordinated and implemented America Bikes federal policy agenda. Before that, she worked for the National Wildlife Federation on smart growth, international policy, and community engagement. In addition, Caron served as a Community Land Use Planner for the State of North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, providing technical assistance to local governments and staffing a stakeholders’ council responsible for revising state planning regulations. She has a Masters in Environmental Management for Duke University, Nicolas School of the Environment and a Bachelors of Arts from Williams College.
It’s been one week since the League hosted the first coach training in Houston and there’s a buzz of camaraderie is alive and strong. Six coach candidates came to Texas to spend four days learning, teaching and breathing bike education.
There are some 3,700 LCIs that administer bicycle education around the country. That’s where the coaches come in: They are the small but growing number of bike instruction experts who lead LCI seminars.
This diverse group of coach candidates traveled from five states and three coasts (Texas counts, right?), bringing with them a variety of biking backgrounds and experience as educators and group ride leaders. Jennifer Laurita, Jim Nicholson, and Preston Tyree were the backbones of the training: They designed the content for webinars, role played through countless emails, and served as mentors to candidates.
“Our coaches adroitly handled numerous situations thrown at them, ranging from pre-seminar fictional LCI candidates with extremely varying abilities to real candidates interspersed among the ‘ringers,’” Jim said in an email to me after the training. ”They had strong support from a group of three coach-mentors for both the pre-seminar activities and the LCI weekend seminar itself.”
In the midst of 12-hour days on just a few hours of sleep, the candidates still found the time to give high-fives, share words of encouragement, ask for feedback, and successfully certify a group of new LCIs. While the candidates still have another seminar to assist, I’m excited to welcome these individuals to the elite group of League coaches. Their fresh perspective and passion for bike education will only boost our current program.
Are you interested in becoming a coach? We’ll be scheduling another training later this year, so stay tuned!
Alissa Simcox League Director of Education
Simcox joined the League in July 2011. For the 5 years prior, she worked with the Congressional Youth Leadership Council and the National Association of Home Builders. She holds a BA in Education and Recreation and Leisure Administration from Florida State University.
Debra Zusin and Mariana Chambers were already best friends, but their love of biking turned them into business partners, as well.
A lawyer and a fashionista, Zusin and Chambers started GiveLoveCycle to get more women riding by providing a product that supports their cycling lifestyle. Last year, the duo launched their line of unique bags — stylish CarryAlls that comfortably fit, not just your day-to-day items, but your bike helmet, as well.
We’re delighted that GiveLoveCycle will be one of the exhibitors in the Pop-up Shop at the National Women’s Bicycling Forum, but I couldn’t wait until March 4 to learn more about the inspiration and entrepreneurship behind the GLC brand. Read more from Zusin below — and meet her in person next month!
I know that bike share got you riding for transportation — what about it appealed to you? What would you tell other women who are interested in incorporate more biking into their lives?
I remember receiving the red glossy Capital Bikeshare pamphlet in the mail in the summer of 2010. I loved riding my bike recreationally and on trails but never considered biking as my daily transportation. Bike share answered the question of not wanting to worry about my bike everywhere I went. The idea of a one-way ride was so appealing that I became one of the first people to sign up! I still have my original black FOB card and carry it around like a badge of honor.
Once I realized I actually can have all my stuff with me for the day on my bike (helmet, gym clothes, lunch, purse), the next step was to plan my route. I used the bike map on Google and mapmyride.com to make sure I knew where all the designated bike lanes are in DC. Since I started riding in 2010, so much has changed to improve the biking infrastructure in DC, it is remarkable. There are also a lot of women’s cycling seminars being offered in different cities so women can build the confidence they need to start riding. With the right accessory and the realization that it is the best, easiest, healthiest way to get around, there is no stopping us women on bikes!
How long have you and Marianna known each other? Is this your first business venture?
Mariana and I met our freshman year of Rutgers University and were roommates for the rest of college. Yes, this is our first business venture together.
Where did the name GiveLoveCycle come from?
GiveLoveCycle came from the idea that we both feel we get back so much from biking and that we give back to our cities and the earth by biking.
What were some of the challenges in getting this off the ground?
Funding the company presented a challenge and it’s the reason why we decided to use a crowd funding platform. Kickstarter was an amazing experience for us, both for funding and exposure. Another challenge we face is introducing a women-oriented cycling product in a predominately male industry. Daily women cyclists are a growing market and it’s our mission to open bike stores up to this idea.
Your bags are vegan! What other considerations did you take into account when you were conceiving your products?
We really wanted to present a product to the market that is both beautiful and truly functional. Our bags are easy to bike with every day, fitting your daily essentials like your helmet, iPad/E-reader or laptop, as well as being waterproof, easy to clean and hands free (the small attaches to your bike and the large converts to a backpack). We’ve added safety features, like reflective piping, and various internal compartments, like an easy find clip for your keys and a separate, aerated shoe compartment on the large. We have received a positive response from commuters to moms, who especially love the easy-to-clean, waterproof inside and out.
What’s been the most exciting part of the process in launching GiveLoveCycle?
The most exciting part of GLC is anytime we hear a woman cyclist say she’s now able to commute to work because she can easily take everything with her using her GLC bag.
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
They’ve helped to end unfair traffic citations for bicyclists in Washington, D.C. They’ve helped boost a campaign for dedicated biking and walking funding in Pennsylvania. And they’ve helped push for a better pedestrian bridge over a major highway in Marin, Calif.
They may provide small bursts of funding, but Rapid Response Grants are having a big impact across the country.
A key aspect of the Advocacy Advance program, these grants are aimed at helping state and local organizations take advantage of unexpected opportunities to win, increase, or preserve funding for biking and walking. There’s no deadline for applications and awards are made on a quick turnaround, allowing nimble and timely campaigns that strike while the issue is hot.
Most recently, these grants have boosted both rural and urban campaigns, from Philadelphia, Pa., to Cheyenne, Wy. Check out these in-depth stories of Rapid Response success from Mary Lauran Hall of the Alliance for Biking & Walking, our partner in the Advocacy Advance effort:
Ms. Murphy joined the League in January 2013. She previously worked as a reporter covering the Justice Department. Liz has journalism and women's studies degrees from Penn State University. She commutes to work on her bright red bike daily.
The event, held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., was packed with impressive panelists and speakers like Ben Jealous, president of the NAACP; Heather McGhee, Vice President of Policy and Outreach at Demos; and Jacob Hacker, a professor of political science at Yale University. They discussed how equity plays a vital part in building a healthier and sustainable economy.
I was joined by League colleague Darren Flusche, our Policy Director, and two words stuck out to us as we listened at the event: sustained growth.
Darren and I were busy scribbling notes as we made the connections to words like ‘equitable economy,’ ‘diverse constituencies’ and ‘principled conflicts.’
Here is some of what we heard and asked courtesy of Twitter and my really bad handwriting:
We have to illustrate just how economically beneficial bikes have become and continue to be to local economies. In case you haven’t noticed, Bicycling Mean Business, especially in many hard-hit communities recovering from difficult economic times. They are taking advantage of bicycle tourism and increased foot and bike traffic to foster growth.
We have to make sure we have a “no-drop” mentality or we risk losing our movement. Think of the communities not currently served by safe cycling as new markets. If you don’t identify and work with new markets, no industry in the world will be able to sustain growth. Our cycling movement has to ensure that we don’t drop communities already stifled by a lack of viable transportation options.
These themes also bring us to our ongoing campaign on Razoo to help raise money to fund registration costs to the 2013 National Bike Summit for youth, activists and advocates from communities that we don’t usually see at the bike advocacy table.
You could say we were inspired by the old saying “Either you’re at the table or you’re on the menu.” Click HERE to find out more and to donate.
Hamzat Sani Equity and Outreach Fellow
Hamzat joined the League in September 2012 after working with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. Before working in biking, Hamzat worked with Martin Luther King Jr.’s son as a Program Associate at The King Center in Atlanta. A founder of the Red, Bike and Green chapter in Atlanta, Hamzat sees biking as a hub for change on the communal level.
Our friend Elly Blue, a member of the Women Bike Advisory Board, shared her daydream on Twitter on Wednesday: “If you had $100 million to put into growing the bicycle movement, how would you deploy it?”
Not surprisingly, Blue, who runs Taking the Lane, got scores of responses. We chimed in too, sending her message out to our followers to see what ideas people could cook up. They ranged from creating a Super PAC to building more cycle tracks to hiring Justin Beiber as a spokesman.
Her question comes at a good time: We’re preparing for the 2013 National Bike Summit here in Washington, D.C. We’ll be chipping away at that very question and plenty more on March 4-6 as hundreds of advocates, government staffers and enthusiasts take part in the wide array of workshops and briefings. After all, “Bicycling Means Business” and the Summit will give you a voice in these conversations.
Check out what people had to say in response to Blue, and be sure to keep thinking about these questions and others as you prepare for the Summit in March. (Click on the image for the full slate of selected responses.)
Liz Murphy Communications Manager
Ms. Murphy joined the League in January 2013. She previously worked as a reporter covering the Justice Department. Liz has journalism and women's studies degrees from Penn State University. She commutes to work on her bright red bike daily.
From designer rain capes to handmade steel bikes, creative entrepreneurs are paving the way — even rolling out the red carpet — to get more women riding.
With a theme of Women Mean Business, we wanted to showcase as many of these female leaders as we could at the National Women’s Bicycling Forum. We put out a call for applications and were absolutely inspired by the diverse array of vendors who responded and delighted to announce the lineup for our Women Bike Pop-up Shop.
Reflective vest from Iva Jean
Not only will you walk away from the Forum with best practices, new contacts and a wealth of inspiration to empower women in your community. With the fashionable and functional items for sale, you’ll probably need a little extra room in your suitcase, too.
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
Well, it’s “gold” as far as we are concerned over here at the League.
The Washington, D.C.-based bike commuter and blogger late last year dug up his great-grandfather’s League of American Wheelmen membership certificate, which was issued in 1895. McEntee found the century-old document, which bears the League’s former namesake, stashed away in his parent’s home amid family trees, funeral holy cards and cemetery plot deeds.
“Clearly, it was of some importance if my grandfather kept it for all of those years prior to leaving it to my own parents,” McEntee told us. “…I had no idea that my family biking history extended back to before the 20th century!”
McEntee (pictured) says he knows very little about his great-grandfather, John J. McEntee. When he received his League of American Wheelmen certification, he was living in Seaside, N.Y., in Queens. McEntee said his great-grandfather passed away when his grandfather was young, so his family isn’t sure what profession he held or how he became involved with the League. A guess? Perhaps “he was just swept up in its popularity at the time,” McEntee said.
And he’s right about the popularity of bicycling: By the turn of the century, the League had more than 100,000 members across the country. Some members at the time included the Wright brothers, John D. Rockefeller and Diamond Jim Brady. (Read more about the League’s history here.)
Ironically enough, McEntee said, biking has never been a major part of the family history.
“I learned to bike as a kid, but it was almost incidental amongst my childhood activities,” he said. “I grew up in a suburban bedroom community in Connecticut and spent more time being driven to soccer practice than riding around the neighborhood until I took up biking as an adult as a healthy, easy and cheap way to get to work.”
McEntee has been riding his bike to work for the last five years, including a stint in Denver, Colo., and he’s been bike commuting year-round for the past three.
“Prior to starting bike commuting, I hadn’t really ridden a bike since childhood,” he said.
His blog, Tales from the Sharrows, details the adventures of daily bicycle commuting. His Twitter feed, which boasts more than 1,000 followers and first tipped us off to the vintage League certificate, hits on issues related to biking in the nation’s capital.
McEntee has since framed his great-granfather’s certificate, an homage to his bicycling heritage.
“In many ways, I find it somehow fitting that the rediscovery of the certificate parallels my own redisovery of bicycling,” he said.
Ms. Murphy joined the League in January 2013. She previously worked as a reporter covering the Justice Department. Liz has journalism and women's studies degrees from Penn State University. She commutes to work on her bright red bike daily.
You might be wondering: Do I qualify to become a Bicycle Friendly America local reviewer? How is my feedback integrated into the award and feedback process? How do I choose the most accurate award level recommendation?
We’ve got you covered!
Bicyclists and advocates, like you, play an important role in the Bicycle Friendly America program. It would be nearly impossible for program staff to visit each community, university or business that has applied for an award, so we rely on YOU for critical local perspective.
Already, more than 350 anonymous local bicycle experts and cyclists of all skill levels are reviewing BFA program applications. Their knowledgeable feedback not only influences the final award decision, but their detailed recommendations of needed improvements are also included in the final report provided to each applicant. Those reports are often used to inform future policy and funding decisions.
Interested in learning more?
The League is hosting a free webinar for potential and current local reviewers to discuss best practices, share tips and answer questions. Panelists will include:
Bill Nesper, Vice President, Programs
Nicole Wynands, Program Manager, Bicycle Friendly Community
A recording of the webinar will be available on the League blog and on the local reviewer sign up page shortly after.
Liz Murphy Communications Manager
Ms. Murphy joined the League in January 2013. She previously worked as a reporter covering the Justice Department. Liz has journalism and women's studies degrees from Penn State University. She commutes to work on her bright red bike daily.
As you’re making your plans to attend the National Women’s Bicycling Forum, plan your travel to arrive on Sunday so you can join us for a ride and party celebrating local efforts to get more women biking.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. on we’ll stretch our legs and meet new friends with a laid-back social ride led by Black Women Bike. Then, at 8:30 p.m., we’ll help launch the WABA Women & Bicycles campaign in style with a party at Busboys and Poets, featuring special guest Elly Blue and plenty of time for networking.
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
The League aims to be the voice for everyone who rides a bike in the U.S., but we recognize that many important voices are still missing from our membership and leadership. Not only are women, youth and people of color underrepresented in policy discussions that impact their neighborhood health and economic development; they are also missing in many bicycle advocacy discussions — particularly at the national level.
One of the League’s priorities in 2013 — and beyond — is to change the face of bicycling and work toward true equity and inclusion in the movement. For years, diversity has been a buzz word, a one-hour conference topic. We need to do more. To address equity, an organization has to commit dedicated staff, time and funding.
So that’s what the League is doing.
We’re excited to announce the launch of a strategic process engaging diverse leaders and advocates to assist in addressing equity and inclusion within our organization, its programs and external efforts. This work will be informed, developed and led by the newly convened Equity Advisory Council, comprised of 10 diverse leaders from different backgrounds working in their communities to get more people on bikes.
Our hope is that the work of the Equity Advisory Council will not only benefit the League but will also be a tool for local cycling organizations to utilize in developing their own initiatives, ultimately building a Bicycle Friendly America that promotes and protects the rights of ALL cyclists.
The Equity Advisory Council will be formally announced at the National Bike Summit in March but we wanted to give you a preview of the individuals that make up this dedicated group of changemakers:
Brian Drayton is the founder and executive director of Richmond Spokes, a non-profit, entrepreneurial youth training program located in Richmond, Calif., that empowers young entrepreneurs to use cycling and sustainable transportation to enable physical, personal, and professional mobility.
Anthony Garcia is Principal of The Street Plans Collaborative and is a leader in the field of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. A member of the faculty at the University of Miami- School of Architecture, Anthony has a strong background in urban planning urban design, policy writing and code analysis.
Eboni Hawkins is the founder of the Chicago chapter of Red, Bike and Green, an organization that promotes biking for improve health, economic vitality, and environmental sustainability in the African American community.
Helen Ho is an advocate and thought leader in fields ranging from alternative transportation and waste management to environmental education and community empowerment. Helen currently serves as the Development Director for Recycle-A-Bicycle and is Co-Founder of the Youth Bike Summit.
Keith Holt is the Executive Director of Milwaukee Bike Works, which sees bicycling as a tool for sustainable change in the community. Keith has been advocating for trails and bicycling in large urban communities for almost a decade, emphasizing ridership in communities of color.
Adonia E. Lugo is the co-founder of City of Lights/ Ciudad de Luces and CicLAvia. A doctoral candidate at the University of California, Irvine, Adonia uses ethnographic research on bicycling to advocate for social justice in urban sustainability through the Bicicultures Research Network and her blog Urban Adonia.
Sara Pelerin is an 18-year-old intern at Recycle-A-Bicycle, where she designs and produces recycled bicycle jewelry and is helping to plan and organize the 2013 Youth Bike Summit. Sara is a resident of the Ali Forney Center and plans on attending college this fall to major in Environmental Science.
Anthony Taylor is a founding member of the Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota, a nonprofit social/recreational club that promotes safe and fun cycling geared toward the African-American communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. He is also the Vice President of the National Brotherhood of Cyclists, a group of grassroots African American cycling clubs from around the country.
Neil Walker is a leading League Cycling Instructor Coach, a youth program coordinator for Metro Atlanta Cycling Club, and founder of Cycles and Change.
Elizabeth Williams is a bike advocate and League Cycling Instructor (LCI) focused on empowering underserved communities, particularly women and youth, to live healthy, active and green lifestyles through cycling. Elizabeth lives in Long Beach, California and is the Founder & President of Cali Bike Tours.
Come to the National Bike Summit to meet the Council in person — and look for some great things to come out of this group as we work to make cycling inviting and accessible for everyone on the saddle.
Hamzat Sani Equity and Outreach Fellow
Hamzat joined the League in September 2012 after working with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. Before working in biking, Hamzat worked with Martin Luther King Jr.’s son as a Program Associate at The King Center in Atlanta. A founder of the Red, Bike and Green chapter in Atlanta, Hamzat sees biking as a hub for change on the communal level.
Excitement is mounting for the 2013 National Bike Summit, which opens just one month from today. And just when you thought the lineup couldn’t get any more impressive…
Last week, we shared that outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will join us at the Summit. We’re delighted to able to give the Secretary a rousing “thank you” for his leadership these past four years — including attending every single Bike Summit since he was appointed. But we’re excited to announce another incredible headliner: New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
LaHood and Sadik-Khan will share the stage again at the 2013 National Bike Summit
We’re excited to welcome back Sadik-Khan for the opening dinner of the Summit AND the closing keynote for the National Women’s Bicycling Forum. Not only has the Commissioner transformed the streets of New York City with innovative and widespread bicycle infrastructure, but, in the two years since her last appearance at the Summit, she has literally changed the rules for big cities across the nation through her inspirational leadership of NACTO and the creation of the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide.
Sadik-Khan will help lead a dinner presentation on “The Economic Benefits of Better Cycling Cities” along with two special guests: John Burke, President of Trek Bicycles, Inc., and Bruce Katz, Vice President of the Brookings Institute.
Don’t miss Secretary LaHood, Sadik-Khan, and so many other incredible speakers at the Bike Summit and Women’s Forum. Sign up today!
Andy Clarke League President
Andy 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. Before joining the League in February 2003, Clarke was on contract to provide technical assistance to the highly regarded Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center on site at the Federal Highway Administration. He is on the Board of Directors for America Bikes, and a member of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycling Professionals.
In 1896, the US military gathered a small group of soldiers to test a new military mode of transportation — the bicycle.
With a claim that “unlike a horse, a bike did not need to be fed and watered and rested, and would be less likely to collapse,” — they clearly never met my bike — the army selected a regiment to test the utility of the bicycle in service. Their choice for the job? The 25th Infantry Fort Missoula Buffalo Soldiers.
The Buffalo Soldiers were African American soldiers who fought in segregated units after the Civil War. The newly formed bicycle unit consisted of eight enlisted men and their white commander, Lieutenant James A. Moss. The 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps at Fort Missoula, Mont. — or “Iron Riders” as they were known — rode 1,900 miles to St. Louis on brand new Spalding single gear bicycles, attracting great attention where ever they stopped and even their own riding press detail. After the test trip, Lt. Moss noted that, while the bike mounted soldiers may not replace the mounted cavalry, the bicycle corps would best serve as adjuncts to both cavalry and infantry.
While the Iron Riders were disbanded shortly after returning to Missoula, they continue to be a great symbol for the utility of the bicycle on almost any terrain and the innovation and bravery of Black Soldiers in the U.S. Army.
On this first day of Black History Month, we salute the Fort Missoula 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps. Want to find out more about the Iron Riders? Click here.
And take a gander at this PBS documentary on their epic 1,900 mile journey. (Bonus: There’s even a mention of some cycling organization called the League of American Wheelmen working to make roads better for cycling.)
Hamzat Sani Equity and Outreach Fellow
Hamzat joined the League in September 2012 after working with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. Before working in biking, Hamzat worked with Martin Luther King Jr.’s son as a Program Associate at The King Center in Atlanta. A founder of the Red, Bike and Green chapter in Atlanta, Hamzat sees biking as a hub for change on the communal level.
I traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, this past weekend to give a workshop as part of the Iowa Bike Summit. The state’s Summit was capped with the RAGBRAI announcement party that drew 1,200 people — yes, you read that right, the announcementof this year’s RAGBRAI route drew a massive, enthusiastic crowd.
Photo courtesy of the Des Moines Register
RAGBRAI is touted as the “world’s oldest, largest and longest two-wheeled recreation tour,” and it begins this year on July 21 in Council Bluffs. People made wagers on the starting city, finishing city and every town in between. Why the big to-do? Well, bicycling means business in Iowa — and RAGBRAI means tourism dollars for the cities along the way. Recreational bicycling is a huge economic driver for the state, generating $364.8 million in direct and indirect impacts to Iowa and saving the state $73.9 million in healthcare costs, according to a recent study.
Needless to say, I was blown away and inspired by the thought of this model spreading throughout the country.
“Believe it or not, one of the best celebrations of bicycling in America happens in Iowa during January,” said Mark Wyatt, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. ”The Iowa Bicycle Summit trained over 150 planners, engineers, and government officials on cutting edge bikeway design. More than 5,000 people turned out to the Iowa Bike Expo for the latest gear, bikes, trails, and destinations. And we raised more than $45,000 for Iowa bicycle advocacy in one weekend!”
At the Summit, I was fortunate to be joined by friends from Bicycle Friendly Business Rockwell Collins to lead a workshop on building bicycle-friendly communities and businesses.
That’s me in the middle with Rockwell Collins’ bicycling ambassadors Nikki Northrop Davidson and Richard Bradford
We were thrilled to share success stories from communities and businesses in our Bicycle Friendly America program, which encourages and incentivizes bicycle friendliness for towns and companies alike. We discussed communities that haven’t reached the Platinum-level heights of bike-friendliness of Portland, Boulder or Davis, but whose efforts have resulted in an 80 percent growth in bike commuting since 2000. We also looked at places like Pittsburgh, Pa., which has seen a greater than 200 percent growth in that same span.
We shared the story of company QBP, whose bicycle-friendly promotions have created a savings of $170,000 in employee health care costs and saved another $300,000 per year in lost productivity. Talk about music to the ears of business owners and community leaders eager for economic sustainability and attracting talent!
Rockwell Collins, one of seven Bicycle Friendly Businesses in Iowa, provided attendees with a common-sense approach to making it easier for people to bike, like offering employees more opportunities to get together to ride, improving bike parking options and offering flexible work hours, to name a few. I was also very happy to tell participants that communities of all shapes and sizes can get something out of participating in the BFC program: Sisters, Ore., the least populous BFC with 1,925 citizens, is a great story for those who think of BFCs as a strictly urban phenomenon.
Learn more about Iowa’s RAGBRAI here, and check out our ongoing work through the Bicycle Friendly America program here.
Bill Nesper League Vice President of Programs
Nesper directs the Bicycle Friendly America Program, which includes the Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly University and Bicycle Friendly Business recognition programs. Bill first joined the League as a Membership Assistant in 2002 and moved in 2005 to manage the League education programs and Bicycle Friendly Community Program.
Bike advocates in Georgia decided to get creative this year: They used a chunk of their budget to provide scholarships to the National Bike Summit — with funding from car owners.
Georgia is one of 20 states that offer Share the Road license plates, and Georgia Bikes is one of a number of organizations that benefits from the Peach State’s plate sales. This year, the advocacy organization dedicated a portion of its funding to get more folks to the Bike Summit.
“I secured approval from Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to use part of our travel budget to offer Summit scholarships,” said Brent Buice, executive director of Georgia Bikes. But the scholarships weren’t just for first-timers. The criteria prioritized folks who are active in bike advocacy; diverse in background and experience; and hail from Georgia districts that are underrepresented at the Summit.
So who are the lucky recipients of these funds?
Zahra Alabanza (pictured), Chapter Co-Founder of Red Bike and Green-Atlanta. RBG is “a community-building collective of Black urban cyclists seeking to [create] a relevant and sustainable Black bike culture.” Alabanza will also be speaking at the Summit on how to bring businesses on board.
Tracie Sanchez, Board Member of Griffin Bicycle Coalition. The coalition is a group of community leaders, government officials, and local business owners that are working to make the City of Griffin and Spalding County more bike-friendly.
Tyler Dewey, Executive Director of BikeAthens. BikeAthens works ”to promote walking, cycling, and public transit as solutions to transportation needs in Athens through education, advocacy, and community service.”
We’re excited to have so many new faces at the 2013 National Bike Summit, thanks to Georgia Bikes — and certainly would love to see this model spread to other states, too!
It’s not too late for you to register for the Summit, too! Click here to learn more and sign up today!
Katie Omberg Events and Outreach Manager
Katie joined the League in April of 2010. For the two years prior, she worked at the Corcoran College of Art + Design as a programs coordinator. Katie has a BA in Religion from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass. She enjoys biking to work.
Arvidson, who is the Executive Vice President of Duo-Gard, a Michigan company that manufactures bike shelters, said he wants to be a part of that conversation — right in Congress’ backyard. He has attended the Summit for the past six years. Last year, Duo-Gard made it on the list of 50 Michigan Companies to Watch, and has been in the streetscape business since 1984.
The company’s commitment to sustainability makes the National Bike Summit an obvious entry on their calendar of events each year. Read on to hear from Arvidson on why he’ll be making the trip to Washington, D.C., again this March.
What inspired you to come to your first Summit in 2011?
We had started designing and manufacturing a new line of products (bike shelters) starting in 2007 and I wanted to learn more about how the biking and alternative transportation movement was developing from a federal level.
How does attending the Summit fit into Duo-Gard’s corporate mission?
Many of Duo-Gard’s products and services support sustainable goals. The initiatives at the core of the Bike Summit are moving these type of sustainable strategies forward at the highest level of government. We are interested in being part of the larger circle of influence toward promoting alternative transportation and more livable communities for the future.
What do you think would help bring more manufacturers to the Summit?
It could be worthwhile to identify a group of manufacturers that would be a good fit for their products and the goals of the Summit – and then to reach out to them and provide some insight into the event. I think there are many other manufacturers who would benefit from being a part of the Bike Summit. The exposure and potential benefits to the manufacturing community could benefit from further outreach.
Is there anything specific you have learned/seen at the Summit that has really stuck with you?
The diverse group of individuals who participate in the Bike Summit and the commitment to common goals is impressive. [They] represent many advocates for biking and alternative transportation missions coming from so many backgrounds — geographies, occupations, motivations. It is truly a leadership group for biking initiatives.
Also, the interaction with the legislators is a worthwhile experience. The organization for the Bike Summit does a fantastic job facilitating the meeting agendas, informational sessions and scheduling.
Have you been able to use any of the lessons or anything else from the Summit after you left DC?
Duo-Gard has created valuable local and national partnerships/alliances from our interactions at the Bike Summit. We have passed along knowledge learned at Bike Summit internally to our team and to our sphere of influence in published articles and our internal newsletter to over 15,000 architects, designers, and corporations.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to the Summit for the first time?
Try to talk with as many participants as you can. [There are] many local and national leaders for biking and pedestrian initiatives; there is much to learn from this group. Also I would say relax and make it a fun trip. There is plenty of veteran leadership involved who can do much of the heavy lifting.
The Summit is less than two months away — now is the time to register! Join Mike and make sure you’re part of the most exciting event of the year: Register today!
Katie Omberg Events and Outreach Manager
Katie joined the League in April of 2010. For the two years prior, she worked at the Corcoran College of Art + Design as a programs coordinator. Katie has a BA in Religion from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass. She enjoys biking to work.
When Tammy Duckworth wanted to show her constituents that she was ready and determined to serve in Congress, she hopped on her bicycle — her hand-cranked bicycle.
In 2004, Duckworth lost both her legs when the Blackhawk helicopter she was piloting was shot down in Iraq, but, in one of her campaign ads last summer, she used her pedal power to show her commitment to “go the extra mile” for working families in Illinois’ 8th District.
Throughout her career, Duckworth has been a strong voice for women’s leadership, improved health care and a stronger economy — and this isn’t Duckworth’s first term in Washington, D.C.
In 2009, President Obama appointed Duckworth as Assistant Secretary of Veteran Affairs, where, among other efforts, she worked to address the unique challenges faced by Native American and female veterans. In her run for Congress, Duckworth made better health care for all Americans a key priority in her campaign — a priority she honors in her personal life, as well.
This summer, Duckworth joined the Schaumberg Bicycle Club for a ride and shared her love of cycling and the need to promote healthy activities for all Americans.
“This is how I get my cardiovascular fitness,” she said, as she settled into her bike. “But the thing is, if I had been injured on I-90 instead of in combat my husband and I would never have been able to afford all the things I needed to be happy and healthy in life. And, you know, it’s also just about a healthy lifestyle. I loving riding. I love it. My husband even has a little trailer on his bike for my wheelchair, so we can stop and have lunch — or bike and get an ice cream cone!”
Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth is an Iraq War Veteran and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Duckworth attended college at the University of Hawaii and then went on to the George Washington University, where she earned a Masters of Arts in International Affairs. Following graduation, Duckworth, who is fluent in Thai and Indonesian, moved to Illinois, where she began pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science at Northern Illinois University. While at NIU she also worked at the School of Nursing researching public health and environmental causes of cancer. Later Ms Duckworth worked for Rotary International as a manager for administration of Rotary’s clubs in the Asia Pacific Region.
In 2004, Duckworth was deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the Illinois Army National Guard. She was one of the first Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom until her helicopter was hit by an RPG on November 12, 2004. Duckworth lost lost her legs and partial use of her right arm in the explosion and was awarded a Purple Heart for her combat injuries.
Duckworth spent the next year recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. As one of the highest-ranking patients, she quickly became an advocate for her fellow Soldiers and testified before Congress about caring for our Veterans and wounded warriors.
Following her recovery, Duckworth ran for Congress in 2006. After a narrow loss, she became Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. In Illinois, she worked to create a tax credit for employers who hired Veterans, established a first-in-the-nation 24/7 crisis hotline for Veterans, and developed innovative programs to improve Veterans’ access to housing and health care.
In 2009, President Obama appointed Duckworth to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs. At VA, Duckworth led an initiative to end homelessness among Veterans. She created the Office of Online Communications to improve the VA’s and accessibility, especially among young Veterans, and also worked to address the unique challenges that Native American and female Veterans face.
Duckworth ran for Congress in 2012 to advocate for the practical solutions and cooperation needed to rebuild our economy and ensure that every American has a chance to achieve the American Dream.
Duckworth lives in Hoffman Estates with her husband Bryan, an Army Major. Since her recovery, Duckworth has taken up scuba diving, surfing, skydiving and flies as a civilian pilot. Fulfilling a promise she made at Walter Reed, she has also completed several marathons. She has resumed her Ph.D. studies at Northern Illinois University and is also working toward a Ph.D. in Health and Human Services at Capella University. In her spare time, she volunteers at local food pantries and enjoys couponing and flea markets. Duckworth declined a military medical retirement and continues to drill as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard.
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
There are some new faces on Capitol Hill this year, and the 2013 National Bike Summit is the perfect opportunity to introduce them to the bicycling community.
The League’s Caron Whitaker, Vice President of Government Relations, discusses below who the new decision-makers are this year, how they could influence legislation affecting the bicycling community, and, more importantly, how biking advocates can make their voice heard at the Summit in March.
Watch and share:
The Summit is less than two months away — now is the time to register! Make sure you’re part of the premier advocacy event of the year: Register today!
Liz Murphy Communications Manager
Ms. Murphy joined the League in January 2013. She previously worked as a reporter covering the Justice Department. Liz has journalism and women's studies degrees from Penn State University. She commutes to work on her bright red bike daily.
We’re honored to announce that the man Congressman Earl Blumenauer has crowned “the best Secretary of Transportation we’ve ever had” will be one of our opening speakers for the 2013 National Bike Summit.
What parting words of wisdom will LaHood have for bicycle advocates? Register now for the National Bike Summit — and join us as we thank the Secretary for four incredible years of service.
Carolyn Szczepanski Communications Director
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
When your community draws 100 people to a community bike forum (pictured below) to listen to presentations about transportation policy – on a Saturday night – you have some real bike culture developing.
When the staff and board of your city’s bicycling advocacy organization lock themselves in a room for two days to develop an ambition campaign to access public funding for bicycling investment, you have savvy grassroots leadership.
When your city’s assistant director for transportation planning announces a goal of becoming a top ten bicycle commuter city in the next few years – and hopes to skip Bronze and go right to Silver Bicycle Friendly Community status – you have political buy-in. And it doesn’t hurt when Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is giving your mayor a shout out for improving urban livability.
When your city council is about to vote on allocating $2.5 million from a bond to fund 15 miles of bike facilities and Complete Streets, your community may be about to put its money where its mouth is.
All of these things are true of Atlanta, Ga., where the Advocacy Advance team supported a customized Winning Campaigns Training, based on the Alliance for Biking and Walking’s signature training, and the afore-mentioned community forum.
“Last year marked a turning point for bike advocacy in Atlanta,” said Rebecca Serna, Executive Director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. “Our mayor hopped on a bike and said he wanted Atlanta to be a beacon of bike-friendliness, not for the Southeast, not for the South, but for the nation. That’s a lofty goal but he’s done nothing but meet goals in his first term, so we anticipate great things to come in our city.”
The Winning Campaign Training brought together a large portion of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s board and the staff to walk step by step through a campaign to respond to a recent unsuccessful transportation sales tax measure, T-SPLOST. ”The Winning Campaigns Training really helped our leadership team focus, providing the structure we needed to accelerate group genius,” ABC Board Member Jenn Graham said.
Advocacy Advance has given the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition a Model Grant to ensure that the city increases its investment in bicycling and walking infrastructure and it is paying off. Over the past several years, the city’s leaders have started to recognize the need to make Atlanta a biking- and walking-friendly community. We’ll keep you posted on their progress.
“Georgia Bikes is thrilled with the leadership and commitment to better bicycling on display in Atlanta,” said Brent Bruice, executive director of Georgia’s statewide advocacy organization. “Our state capital is leading by example and showing the way to being bike friendly for cities throughout Georgia.”
And if you are ever bicycling in Atlanta, you can use this app to track your route and send data directly to the city’s transportation planners.
Darren Flusche League Policy Director
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.
After the Nobel Peace Prize, the League’s Bicycle Friendly Business designation is one of world’s most sought-after commendations.
Clearly, allowing all staff to ride to work if they want to is an important step. Last week, President Barack Obama said his new Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, “probably isn’t allowed” to continue commuting to work on his bike. With your help, we’ve collected dozens of great reasons to #letdenisride. But with a health-conscious Commander in Chief in the Oval Office, we couldn’t help but dream of the day that President Obama adds a BFB award next to that Nobel Peace prize.
Here are a few more ideas to help the White House join the U.S. Department of State, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency as a League Bicycle Friendly Business.
1) Secure bike parking is great way to encourage riding. BFBs often find that bike racks in prominent locations are a great way to start a conversation about their commitment to bicycling.
2) Convenient shower access is a great way to make bike commuting easier on both commuters and their co-workers.
3) We consider the ways businesses encourage cycling when deciding on BFB awards. We’re always impressed when workplaces print up custom cycling jerseys for their key staff.
4) While biking isn’t always going to be the best choice for a particular trip, the top BFBs make it possible to combine biking with other forms of transport.
5) Even with everything they do to promote cycling throughout the year, Bicycle Friendly Businesses always find a way to step it up on Bike to Work Day.
The first step is easy, Mr. President. Click here to download the BFB scorecard. #letdenisride and build a bike lane to the 21st century!
Thanks to my Photoshop genius colleague Katie Omberg and Primal for their help envisioning a Bicycle Friendly White House.
Scott Williams League Director of Membership
Williams joined the League in April 2010. For the four years prior, he worked providing technology consulting and solutions to nonprofit organizations with Community IT Innovators.
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