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Rolling Out Priorities for 2016
In this edition of Roundup, Wisconsin reveals its 2016 advocacy resolutions, Washington and California roll out their legislative priorities, Massachusetts advocates pack the State House in support of bike safety bills, Bike Walk Mississippi asks drivers to "Change Lanes to Pass," Alliance members are recognized with Streetsblog awards — and more.
Speaking of 2016: A big welcome to new Alliance member organizations Bicycle Daytona, Advocates for Healthy Communities: Active Towns Initiative, and the North Dakota Active Transportation Alliance.
Advocacy Avenue
Bike Walk Mississippi launched a "Change Lanes to Pass" campaign, complete with a public pledge and a new PSA educating and encouraging motorists to pass bicyclists at a safe distance.
Following the launch of the city's Plan of Action, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association weighed in on next steps to achieve Vision Zero, including supporting the passage of higher fines for speeding, parking in bike lanes and dooring.
The Wisconsin Bike Federation shared its 2016 advocacy resolutions, including expanding its equity efforts, completing a State Bikeway Network study and moving its state summit to a different city.
Walk Bike Nashville called attention to a sobering string of six pedestrian deaths in a single month, saying "We can do better. We must do better."
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition shared a detailed update on major milestones (281 miles of on-street bikeways, including 35 miles of “enhanced” bike lanes) and remaining challenges (an increase in roadway fatalities of in 2015) in San Jose — and how they will work with the city to make biking better in 2016.
A new campaign from Bike Walk Mississippi
Equity Intersection
The Community Cycling Center worked with Andando en Bicicletas en Cully to pilot wayfinding signage in their neighborhood to showcase biking and walking routes that "avoid physical barriers and bad infrastructure, like lack of sidewalks and bike lanes," with the hope that "more people will walk and bike with the signs because it will allow people to get over the psychological barrier of what is safe and comfortable with better infrastructure."
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia shared survey results from its Women Bike PHL program, which found that 82% respondents said WBPHL had given them the tools to advocate for biking in Philadelphia and 87% said the program had helped them encourage more women to ride.
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition called on its members to join its campaign for a fair and equitable bike share system as the city moves into the planning phase of a massive expansion with 320 new locations across the region.
A survey of more than 200 participants showed the value of the Women Bike PHL program
Infrastructure Inlet
After years of advocacy to get a system in place in Portland, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance celebrated the announcement that Nike will sponsor the city's bike share program to the tune of $10 million.
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association voiced its support for a protected bike lane in Arlington that would connect the popular Custis Trail to the heart of Ballston, "where people can grab lunch, play at the park, shop at the mall, or check out a book at the library."
The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition weighed in on the city's upcoming effort to rebuild a major and historic downtown thoroughfare, calling for leaders to "Make Hennepin Lovable" for people, not just cars.
The Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago applauded the groundbreaking on a 3-mile extension of a hugely popular North Branch Trail.
Bicycle Colorado applauded the city of Castle Rock for a pedestrian bridge set to open this summer that will connect two of the city's largest parks and create a 17-mile trail loop.
$10 million from Nike for Portland bike share!Legislative Lane
Thanks to advocates including MassBike, Walk Boston, the Boston Cyclists Union and Living Streets Alliance, a standing-room-only crowd attended a hearing on several bike safety bills in the Massachusetts State House, including a 3-foot passing law and a bill that would make standing or parking in a bike lane or other on-road bike facility a ticketable offense with a $100 fine.
With the state legislative session on the horizon, Bike Walk Lee called on its delegation to support stronger legislation against distracted driving and pass a bike safety bill.
Washington Bikes released its 2016 state legislative priorities, including protecting trails and strengthening distracted driving laws.
The California Bicycle Coalition approved its legislative agenda, as well, with "funding infrastructure and supporting disadvantaged communities" ranking #1 on its list of priorities.
Standing room only at the Massachusetts State House for a hearing on bike safety bills
Programming Promenade
Living Streets Alliance celebrated another massively successful Cyclovia Tucson with more than "25,000 people of all ages taking to their bicycles, skates, boards, and feet to explore the 2.6 mile linear route through several historic Tucson neighborhoods."
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association shared its excitement at the launch of universal bike education for all District second-graders in 2016, noting that "it’s unlike anything WABA’s ever worked on and the first of its kind in the country."
The Executive Directors of the Community Cycling Center and Oregon Walks shared their thoughts on the intersection of transportation and technology, at a well-attended forum hosted by BikePortland.
Bike Cleveland trained its first round of Metropolitan School District teachers, so they can school their students on bike skills and safety.
Los Angeles Walks announced a slate of weekly Saturday strolls, including "a guided walk through Alhambra, the "Gateway of the San Gabriel Valley," led by James Rojas -- urban planner, artist, activist, and local resident."
The Cascade Bicycle Club added a new, signature ride to its 2016 calendar: the Emerald City Bike Ride.
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition is launching a Virtual Bike Ride Scout program that will allow residents to enter destination and preferences online and get "a suggested route complete with turn-by-turn directions, total distance, estimated travel time, and descriptions of hills along the way."
Bike East Bay hit a notable milestone in its programming: more than 150 free classes provided to more than 5,000 attendees for the first time ever in one year!
A programming milestone for Bike East Bay
Comings and Goings
Tamika Butler, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Executive Director (and Alliance board member), was recognized by Streetsblog LA as its Advocate of the Year; while Alliance member City Fabrick was named Livable-Streets Friendly Business of the Year.
Margaret McCarthy was named interim Executive Director for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
Jessica Treat left her post as Executive Director of St Paul Smart Trips to take the helm at Transit for Livable Communities.
Georgia Bikes! expanded its staff with the hiring of Nedra Deadwyler as its new Safety Education Program Manager and Elliott Caldwell (former Alliance fellow!) as its Complete Streets Coordinator.
What We're Reading
What Goes Through Your Mind: On Nice Parties and Casual Racism (The Toast)
Memories of my Broadway, Before the Westside Rediscovered and Colonized It (LA Times)
What is Equity? (Why Isn't Anyone Talking About This podcast)
A City in Remission: Can the "Grand Bargain" Revive Detroit? (Non-Profit Quarterly)
How Zoning Restrictions Make Segregation Worse (CityLab)
The Hidden Health Problems of Gentrification (Guardian Cities)
Jobs
PeopleForBikes is seeking a Director of Local Innovation.
Queen City Bike is seeking an Executive Director.
Bike Roswell is seeking a part-time Executive Director.
Bike Newport is seeking a Manager of Educational Programs.
Investing in Places is seeking a Communications and Research Associate.
BikeHouston is seeking an Executive Director and Community Relations Manager.
Bikemore in Baltimore is seeking a part-time Marketing and Administrative Coordinator.
Old Spokes Home & Bike Recycle Vermont is seeking a General 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.
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