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The State of the Movement
ICYMI: Thanks to the participation of more than 100 Alliance member organizations, yesterday the Alliance released The State of the Movement, a first-of-its-kind report that benchmarks key metrics and trends in bike/walk advocacy across North America. Check it out and join our ongoing dialogue to create and inspire a more inclusive, effective and impactful movement.
Advocacy Avenue
After the tragic death of a local rider, Bike Pittsburgh organized "a diverse coalition of residents, business owners, students, commuters and other stakeholders to join together in support of the expedient improvement of the Fifth/Forbes corridor." Within days, Mayor Bill Peduto responded with the potential to expedite a bike infrastructure project at the fatal intersection as early as 2016.
Transportation Alternatives launched a campaign asking the Associated Press to change its Stylebook (used by virtually all journalists) to "stop using the word 'accident' in stories about traffic crashes."
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association called attention to the fact that the District of Columbia has a law that requires access and maintenance of protected bike facilities during building or roadway construction — but it's being violated or ignored all too often to the detriment of cyclists' safety.
BikeSD exposed and deconstructed the folly of "a massive use of taxpayer dollars ($36 million) to move parking spots a small distance."
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia shared "how advocates and agencies from the city and suburbs came together for the Manayunk Bridge Trail."
"The story of how the Manayunk Bridge Trail came about is a story of willpower."
Equity Intersection
With a dramatic expansion in the works for Bay Area Bike Share, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition launched a campaign for "a fair and equitable bike-share system" to ensure "fair pricing and inclusive geographic distribution" of the more than 4,500 additional bikes.
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership shared how "equity is becoming an increasingly established part of the [Safe Routes] framework, leading to the addition of a 6th E – education, encouragement, engineering, enforcement, evaluation, and equity."
Sam Ollinger, founder of BikeSD, shared her thoughts on how bike advocacy "can make a dent in income inequality."
As part of its involvement with the ADA 25 Chicago Initiative, the Active Transportation Alliance shared how "Safe Routes to School funding can be customized to meet the needs of a specific community and help bolster special education programs."
Community Cycling Center in Portland is bringing back adult education classes — and starting with a Women/Trans Bike Maintenance Class.
Community Cycling Center launches Women/Trans Bike Maintenance Class
Infrastructure Inlet
Los Angeles Walks applauded the announcement that one of the city's most dangerous intersections will soon be redesigned with a pedestrian scramble, "which eliminates conflicts for turning drivers, who no longer have to wait for throngs of people to clear the crosswalk, and creates a safer and less stressful crossing experience for pedestrians."
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia celebrated the award of $10 million in federal TIGER funds to help the city close the gaps in bike/walk infrastructure.
Bike Athens called attention to excessively narrow bike lanes and used the opportunity to call for "a Complete Streets Implementation Committee to ensure the needs of all users are being addressed on these critical street improvement projects before the projects occur."
The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition celebrated its hometown Midtown Greenway being inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame.
The East Coast Greenway Alliance marked a milestone with "381 continuous signed miles of the ECG, from New Haven to the Delaware / Maryland state line."
Bicycle Indiana helped to cut the ribbon on the first bike lane in the City of Anderson.
Bike Pittsburgh applauded the coming of a new protected bike lane on East Street, which will "have a unique setup in that for 300ft in front of the St. Boniface Church there will be no bollards along the lane and temporary parking will be allowed in the bike lane on Sunday mornings and Saturday evenings for the church’s services."
Cycle Toronto lifted up that bicyclists make up "nearly 50% of rush hour traffic on Adelaide Street thanks to the new protected lanes" — and called for the same on Bloor Street and Danforth Avenue.
Massachusetts advocates applauded the release of MassDOT's "Separated Bike Lane Planning & Design Guide."
Programming Promenade
WalkBoston released a new report: “Walk to school? But how do I find the front door? Strategies for improving pedestrian safety through walkable campus design”
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition recognized the efforts of Janet LaFleur, founder of Bike to Shop Day, and Google at its annual dinner.
Bike Walk Connecticut released a new brochure — and YouTube quiz — to "remind drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians of the rules for sharing the road."
Legislation Lane
Seattle advocates helped secure the passage of a tax increase that will dedicate "$65 million [to] a 50-mile protected bike lane network and a 60-mile neighborhood greenway network over the next nine years."
Advocates across the Golden State applauded the release of the first-ever California State Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, "a visionary and comprehensive policy plan" that aims to triple bicycling and double walking rates by 2020.
Walk/Bike Nashville is supporting a Bicycle and Pedestrian Work Zone Safety Act, which "would add additional guidance and requirements for contractors that are closing sidewalks and bikeways for adjacent construction projects."
The New York Bicycling Coalition launched a campaign "to fix a law that prevents New Yorkers from purchasing and using electric bicycles and negatively affects the entire bicycle industry."
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association mobilized to get a Crash Victims' Bill out of committee and on to the DC Council for a vote.
WABA supporters push for "Fairness for Crash Victims"
Comings and Goings
The League of Illinois Bicyclists has rebranded as Ride Illinois.
And the Community Cycling Center updated its look and website — and released a new video that gets at the heart of its mission.
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association welcomed Landis Pulido to its DC Bike Ambassador team and Ben Wokas as Membership Coordinator.
About the Community Cycling Center from Community Cycling Center on Vimeo.
What we're reading...
How to Tell the Difference Between Real Solidarity and "Ally Theater" (Black Girl Dangerous)
Equity: The Soul of Collective Impact (PolicyLink)
Innovative Funding Programs for Placemaking (Project for Public Spaces)
How Our Housing Choice Make Adult Friendships More Difficult (Vox)
Jobs
BikeWalkKC is seeking a Graphic Designer (part-time).
VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is seeking Tour Leaders.
Bike Newport is seeking a Program Manager.
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is seeking a Nutrition and Physical Activity Project Manager.
Old Spokes Home & Bike Recycle Vermont is seeking a General Manager.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is seeking a Director of Development.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is seeking an Event Coordinator.
The Cascade Bicycle Club is seeking a Sponsorships Manager.
WalkSacramento is seeking an Executive Director.
The Boston Cyclists Union is seeking an Executive Director.
The state and local biking and walking advocacy movement is growing. Check out the Alliance for Biking & Walking job board for listings all over North America.
Trailer
In the saddle or in everyday life, sometimes we all need a little space.
