Category: Bicycle Advocacy

Update: Nov. 1, 2011 — Advocates are undoubtedly rejoicing after the Senate on Tuesday rejected 60-38 the latest attempt by Republicans to kill federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky offered the amendment that would have redirected the transportation enhancement funds to pay for bridge repairs. It was the third threat against that funding in the past two months.

Although the GOP is batting 0-3 on the measure, the issue is expected to come up again…

There are six more colleges in the US where students are finding it easier to ride and store their bicycles.

The League of American Bicyclists expanded its list of Bicycle Friendly Universities to 26 across the US this week.

Meanwhile, the League points out that General Motors has launched a counter-move.

Its “Stop Pedaling — Start Driving” campaign on college …

A years-long battle in California to enact a law requiring that motorists give bicycle riders 3 feet of clearance died Friday when Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed SB 910.

In his veto message, Brown appeared to support the 3-foot buffer but objected to another provision that gave motorists the option to slow to 15 mph to pass instead.

The California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, and AAA all opposed the bill, which received thousands of letters of support in recent weeks by bicyclists and …

Nevada will become the 19th state on Saturday to require that motorists give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing.

Cyclists will celebrate the measure with the “3 Sweet Feet” bicycle ride between the Reno and Sparks city halls that day to draw attention to the new law.

In addition, a “vulnerable users” law that smacks harsher penalties on motorists who cause injury to bicyclists or pedestrians also goes into effect on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Three-foot laws were enacted earlier this year in Kansas and Georgia. Further, a 3-foot passing bill has been approved by the California …

Fewer people traveled to work by bicycle in 2010 than the year before, the US Census Bureau reports, although bicycle use has skyrocketed over the past decade.

Data in the American Community Survey released recently show that 731,286 Americans used a bicycle as a primary source of transportation for commuting last year; that's down 4% from the previous year.

In the 70 largest cities, however, bicycle use rose 1% in the past year. More than half of those 70 largest cities have been judged as bicycle friendly cities by the League of American Bicyclists.

Car-pooling and public transportation also experienced slight drops ….

When you call for a rally to support alternatives to burning fossil fuels, you can expect people on bicycles to get involved.

That's what happened Saturday when thousands of bicyclists participated in Moving Planet rallies held across the US and around the planet.

Clean energy demonstrations took place in all 50 states in the US and 175 nations — some 2,000 rallies in all. The day of protest was coordinated by 350.org, a climate awareness nonprofit.

Photos posted on 350.org's Facebook page from such diverse locations …

When you read the news about cities and states making streets safer for bicyclists, you'd be correct to assume that the push comes from the advocacy arm of a bike club.

Usually, the more members in the club, the louder their voice.

The 14,000-member Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle, for instance, can afford to have paid and volunteer advocates pressing for better streets in cities and visiting the offices of lawmakers in Olympia. They also run education and bike commuting programs, as well as present a slate of cycling events every year.

Chris Kostman would like to achieve that kind of support for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. ….

Update: Sept. 15 — US. Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) has backed off on his plans to block a Transportation funding bill.

His opposition would have threatened funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, as well as force a shutdown of the FAA and airports.

Coburn opposed the transportation funding measure because of enhancements that go to bike paths and other roadside improvements — about 2% of the total appropriation.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) made the announcement on the Senate floor Thursday night. He had previously said that Coburn was acting “like a dictator.” …

If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again.

That was the strategy for New Orleans as it improved its habitat for bicyclists and joined the list of 11 cities to achieve Bicycle Friendly status from the League of American Bicyclists in the fall of 2011.

The road wasn't easy for the Big Easy, which had finished with only an honorable mention for three straight years.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu told the Times-Picayune that the city had quadrupled its miles of bikeways since Katrina.

Also, 14 cities renewed their Bike Friendly status, including Redmond, Wash., which improved to silver….