Welcome to the League of American Bicyclists BikeLeague News. To subscribe
or to learn more about the League, visit
http://www.bikeleague.org. Please forward to anyone who may be interested.
DON'T LET BICYCLING GET DOWNSIZED
CongressDaily reported this morning that a markup of the current House
TEA-21 extension bill (which would invest $375 billion-as introduced by
the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee-to maintain and
improve roads and transit) will take place "late next week" (possibly
during the National Bike Summit®). There is growing pressure in Congress
to downsize the bill-which would effectively downsize bicycling-by cutting
into programs like Safe Routes to School, the Bicycle Commuter Act, and
efforts to "complete the streets" and increase safety funding for
bicycling and walking. In a February 23 article in Roll Call,
Representative Don Young (R-AK) and Representative James Oberstar (D-MN)
wrote, "Opposition to this approach is stiff, and we will likely pass a
transportation bill that costs less and does less."
Don't let bicycling get downsized. Bicycling needs you next week on
Capitol Hill. Make your voice heard at the National Bike Summit®, March
3-5 in Washington, DC. CLICK HERE to register for the Summit. You may also
register by calling 202/822-1333 or fax your registration to 202/822-1334.
The Summit will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International
Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, close to the
White House, Capitol Hill, and the Metro system. Visit MORE INFO for
details on the Summit.
STOP A BAD BILL FOR BICYCLING IN IOWA
The Iowa state legislature is considering legislation that would prohibit
bicyclists from certain roads in the state where a parallel path or
designated shoulder bikeway is present. Please help stop this legislation
- which would be a bad precedent in Iowa and elsewhere - from becoming
law. The Iowa Senate is debating the bill THIS week. To find out more and
to e-mail key Iowa state senators, please visit www.bikeleague.org and
click on the "Write to Congress" button.
MARCH 19 DEADLINE FOR BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY APPLICATIONS
Is your community bicycle-friendly? The deadline for the third round of
applications is March 19. Complete the online application form-it is easy
to fill out and a great resource to help you and your community leaders
figure out what goes into making a community bicycle-friendly.
NOT READY FOR BFC STATUS YET?
Don't worry; we've got something to help. Ask your Mayor or elected
officials to sign the Action Plan for Bicycle Friendly Communities, a
simple commitment to improving conditions for bicycling. Take a look at
the Action Plan and put it in front of your Mayor. If they can sign it
before March 4, we'll announce their commitment at the International
Symposium on Bicycle Friendly Communities at the World Bank on that day.
The action plan lays out a series of steps that we know will contribute to
the creation of a more bicycle-friendly community, so that one day your
city will qualify for an award!
LIST YOUR BIKE MONTH EVENT ON THE OFFICIAL BIKE MONTH SITE!
The League is revamping the 2003 National Bike Month™ website and filling
it with brand new information for the 2004 month-long celebration in May.
One of the new features of the site is a Bike Month/Bike-to-Work Week
event listing. Organizations, local government offices and schools will be
able to submit their event information to the League and have it listed on
the sleek site-at no cost. If you would like to submit your event(s),
e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "Event Listing" in the subject line. Be
sure to include the date, time, and location of the event(s) in your area,
along with any necessary contact info (website URL, phone numbers, etc).
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL BICYCLE EXPO, MARCH 5-7
The nation's third-largest consumer bicycle show-the Group Health Seattle
International Bicycle Expo-will take place at the Seahawks Stadium
Exhibition Center the weekend of March 5-7. The Expo will feature 80,000
square feet of exhibitions on travel, bicycles, clothing, tours, and more.
Ten thousand bicyclists will experience the latest in biking trends and
products. Among this year's highlights are a new indoor time trial; a
grand-prize drawing to win a ten-day bicycle tour for two to Tuscany; and
an appearance by nationally-ranked BMX rider Mickey Gaidos. The 16th
annual event will feature over 140 exhibits, coupled with workshops,
demonstrations, and presentations by nationally recognized cyclists and
adventurers - including local personalities Willie Weir; award-winning
syndicated "Frazz" cartoonist Jeff Mallet; and The Presidents of the
United States of America guitarist/ vocalist Dave Dederer. Visit
www.cascade.org for more information.
GO DELBERT, GO!
The amazing Delbert Richardson has begun Cross Country 2004 He departed
from Wichita, KS on a cross-country cycling trip to raise awareness about
multiple sclerosis (MS). Richardson, who was diagnosed with MS in 1997, is
riding a custom-made, three-wheeled recumbent tricycle with a built-in gas
motor to help him on the climbs on the 14,000-mile, 289-day journey
through 48 states. Richardson's trip is sponsored by Berlex Inc. DETAILS.
DAD TO BIKE ACROSS COUNTRY IN SUPPORT OF HIS SON AND TROOPS
Dan Forant plans to ride off from his home in Cohoes, N.Y on March 1 and
head toward New York City and the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attack on the World Trade Center towers. From there, he'll ride on to
California in support of his son, Army Spc. Dan Forant III, and others
serving in the war on terror. That day same day, in Iraq, his son is
slated to pin on sergeant's stripes. The younger Forant's bike is safely
stored in the garage at home-awaiting his return from duty in Iraq, where
he is stationed as an infantryman in the Sunni Triangle. The favorite
pastime the two men have shared for many years is bicycling. Anyone may
join Forant on the ride. "Hopefully, we'll pick up people along the way,"
he said, adding he plans to stop at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and will be
close to Fort Sill, OK. For more information on Forant's bicycle journey,
call 1-800-207-5054. All money raised from the cross-country trek, said
Forant, will go to families of the fallen - "those who gave their lives in
defense of this great nation," he said. DETAILS.
INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURES FOR TEENAGERS
Two Wheel View / Trips for Kids - Twin Cities is a grassroots non-profit
organization that provides outdoor recreation and educational activities
for kids who would not otherwise have these opportunities. The
organization uses the bicycle as a tool to combine lessons in personal
responsibility, achievement, cultural understanding, and environmental
stewardship through development of practical skills and the simple act of
having fun.
To support its mission, Two Wheel View offers a limited number of overseas
tours for high school-aged teens through its 2004 International Mountain
Bike Adventures. The biking and camping trips are to Norway, June 11-27,
and Argentina, July 23-August 9. Participants are required to raise funds
to support their travels and the organization. Visit Two Wheel View for
details.