League Of American Bicyclists | Evolving Consumer

Bike Friendly

The League of American Bicyclists has announced its latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC).

“This round of applications overwhelmingly confirms what we heard from local elected officials at the National Bike Summit this year — riding a bike embodies the quality-of-life aspirations of communities across the country,” said League President, Andy Clarke. “Making this healthy and active transportation mode safe and easy is of growing importance to the 8 million residents of New York City and the 6,000 people in Franklin, Pa. alike. We’re excited that these communities have made the smart and vital investments to become a designated Bicycle Friendly Community.” Continue reading Bike Friendly

Bike Friendly States

This month the League of American Bicyclists released its 2014 Bicycle Friendly State ranking. For the seventh year in a row the state of Washington has lead the nation, but is closely followed by Minnesota and Wisconsin, as Utah and California have moved up in the top 10.

“We’re excited and encouraged to see real progress in states like California, Minnesota and Utah,” said League President Andy Clarke. “Overall, we still see a lot of opportunity to realize the huge potential of bicycling to promote health, economic development, and quality of life in all 50 states.” Continue reading Bike Friendly States

Taking Action

The League of American Bicyclists looks to take action. It has addressed the “Vision Zero” campaigns for cities including New York and San Francisco.

There is only one acceptable number: 0.

While cities like New York and San Francisco have set decisive “Vision Zero” targets to dramatically reduce bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities, the U.S. Department of Transportation has just released proposed safety measures that have no goal, no accountability and no attempt to reduce the 16% of all fatal crashes that include people who walk and bike.

League of American Bicyclists Action Center Official Website

The Challenge is On

The National Bike Challenge kicks off today and it looks to build on last year’s challenge that saw more than 34,000 bicyclists ride some 19 million miles. For 2014 the League of American Cyclists is calling upon 50,000 bicyclists to reach a combined goal of 30 million miles.

The National Bike Challenge, now in its third year, is a fun, free, game-changing event that runs from May 1 to September 30.

National Bike Challenge Official Website

United Spokes of America

While Washington may be known for gridlock from time to time, The League of American Bicyclists hopes to see movement in D.C. at next week’s National Bike Summit. This event will take place in advance of the next transportation bill.

The League is mobilizing behind the theme “United Spokes: Moving Beyond Gridlock.” The Summit will feature top transportation, government and political leaders including:
• Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
• Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ)
• Jack Wells, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Transportation
• Texas Sen. Rodney Ellis
• Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto
• Phillip Darnton, Executive Director, Bicycle Association of Great Britain Continue reading United Spokes of America

Campus Cycling Shines

The League of American Bicyclists announced the second “Platinum” college campus, along with 17 new Bicycle Friendly Universities. Joining Stanford is the University of California-Davis, which is fitting as the City of Davis has been a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community since 2005.

With this latest round of applications and awards, the program has expanded to a total of 75 colleges in 32 states and Washington, D.C.

“As our Bicycle Friendly University program grows, the promise for a more Bicycle Friendly America does, too,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “Colleges and universities propel our leaders of the future, and more and more of those students are choosing bicycles as their transportation option of choice. We commend universities like Bowdoin College; University of California, Davis; and the University of Montana, who are leading the way to a healthier, more sustainable future.”

Current Bicycle Friendly Universities Fall 2013 Official List

Feds Becoming Bike Friendly

While many businesses have been steadily embracing cycling, things haven’t been as smooth on the government side of things. However, this month the League of American Cyclists announced that many federal agencies are now becoming bike friendly as well.

The League of American Bicyclists announced 91 new Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFB) from across the country, extending the program to 43 states and Washington, D.C. These new awardees join a trendsetting group of more than 600 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies across the United States that are transforming the American workplace.

“Government agencies are definitely following the lead of the private sector in creating better places to work,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “That’s particularly exciting because the health savings, environmental benefits and increased productivity of a healthier and happier workforce benefit us all. Let’s hope the politicians on Capitol Hill are paying attention to this good work!”

On the government side of things the National Park Service, which manages the nation’s parks and National Mall, moved up from Bronze to Silver this round. In addition the Federal Communications Commission moved up from Bronze to Silver this round. The FCC has seen its number of bike commuters double since the agency received Bronze, and leaders look forward to even more participation with this latest announcement.

Also based in D.C., the International Monetary Fund is a new Bronze-level business. The IMF boasts more than 400 registered bicyclists in its workforce.

Current Bicycle Friendly Businesses Fall 2013 Official Website

California Biking

It is sometimes said as goes California so goes the country.For cycling advocacy this could mean women leading the way to change, as next week the California Bicycle Coalitions California by Bike Summit will be held in Oakland to highlight the important role of women in mainstreaming the bike, not only in California but across the nation. This includes the creation of the Women on Bikes California initiative. Women key to the nation’s and California’s growth in bike friendliness will participate in the summit including:

Carolyn Szczepanski, Director of Communications and founder of Women Bike program at the League of American Bicyclists

Alexis Lantz, Chair of the Board of the California Bicycle Coalition

Renee Rivera, Executive Director of the East Bay Bicycle Coalition

Leah Shahum, Executive Director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

California By Bike Summit Official Website

Keep On Rolling

The League of American Bicyclists released its first-of-its-kind report that shows that “women are on a roll” and highlights the power and potential of female cyclists. This report showcased the trend that is being seen across the country; namely that women are changing the face of bicycling, and bicycling is transforming the lives of women.

This report has complied more than 100 original and trusted sources of data and showcased the growth and potential of female riders in the United States. This included focusing on the “5 Cs” including comfort, convenience, consumer products, confidence and community.

According to the report 82 percent of American women have a positive view of bicyclists, while 60 percent of bicycle owners aged 17-28 are in fact women. Moreover, women accounted for 37 percent of the bicycle market in 2011, spending $2.3 billion.

While 89 percent of bike shop owners are male, 33 percent of shops are run by a husband/wife team, and 45 percent of local and state bicycle advocacy organization staff are female. However, the report also found that women are still underrepresented in leadership positions, including the boards of national industry and advocacy organizations — and their membership.

League of American Bicyclists Women Bike Resources Official Website

Friendly States – For Cyclists

The League of American Bicyclists released its 2013 ranking of Bicycle Friendly States last week to coincide with the kickoff of National Bike Month.

Washington continues to lead the list as the No. 1 state, but Illinois and Arizona made it into the top 10 in 2013, and Delaware moved from the tenth spot to the fifth spot. Colorado moved from fourth to second on the list; Oregon moved from fifth to third.

“We are encouraged to see significant progress in top states like Washington, Delaware, Colorado and Oregon,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “But as the scores clearly highlight, there’s much work to be done in critical areas like infrastructure and planning in every state.”

The top 10 bike friendly states are, in order from first to tenth: Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Illinois and Arizona.

Bicycle Friendly State 2013 State Rankings Official Website

2013 National Bike Challenge

The League of American Bicyclists Challenges you to get out there and ride. The bicycle advocacy group is calling on Americans to unite and ride 20 million miles!

The goal: To unite 50,000 bicyclists to ride 20 million miles in communities across America. The Challenge is simple, free and open to everyone in the United States. Sign up as an individual or as a team, log your miles, share your stories and encourage others to join you. Users can download the free, GPS-enabled Endomondo mobile app to record travel distance and automatically upload their miles. Riders will compete for prizes and awards from sponsors Sierra Nevada and Scott Natural on the local and national level.

In 2012, the Challenge engaged 30,000 individual riders, 9,000 workplaces and 500 communities to ride 12 million miles. We’re already looking at breaking those records in 2013.

2013 National Bike Challenge Official Website

League Notes Common Cause With AAA

Cars are often considered the enemy of cyclists but at this week’s 2013 National Bike Summit, hosted by the League of American Bicyclists the advocacy group noted that it found common ground with the AAA – the Automobile Association of America.

“At first glance, it may seem surprising that AAA would be a leading voice at the National Bike Summit, one of the biggest bicycle advocacy events of the year,” said League President, Andy Clarke. “But AAA has become an important partner in our work to raise awareness about the benefits of biking, improve the safety of cyclists, and promote and protect the rights and responsibilities of all road users.”

To this end the AAA has debuted a new Share the Road Public Service Announcement (PSA) that highlights the dual identity of many road users: driver and cyclists. Hopefully this will result in real sharing of the road and mutual respect from both sides. Video after the jump

More Than Just a “Girl’s Bike”

The League of American Bicyclists noted this month that women continue to be the driving force – and thus are doing the pedaling – to the forefront of the bicycle movement. According to a recent national poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates, more than 80 percent of American women have a positive view of bicyclists and two-thirds think their community would be a better place to live if riding a bike were safer and more comfortable.

To this end the League will host the National Women’s Bicycling Forum, to united hundreds of leaders to showcase and build on that energy and momentum. The event will take place on March 4 in Washington, D.C. With a theme of “Women Mean Business,” this event will provide special focus on industry leaders, entrepreneurs and the economic impact of female bicyclists. Continue reading More Than Just a “Girl’s Bike”