May/June 2010

May-June 2010 AMERICAN www.bikeleague.org

League of American Bicyclists Working for a Bicycle-Friendly America

Getting SMARTER with the WILL WORK13 FOR BIKE LANES League p. 8 Why Communities and States Need Bicycle and Pedestrian Staff 16 CYCLING + REMODELING Strange Bedfellows? 23 HOW TO BUILD A BFC

contentMAY-JUNE 2010

IN EVERY ISSUE 8 ViewPoint...... 2 Chairman’s Message...... 3 InBox...... 4 Cogs & Gears...... 6 QuickStop...... 28

On the Cover Smart Cycling (Education) 8 Getting Smarter with the League: A closer look at the League’s bicycle education offerings 23 Think Bike Bicycle Advocacy 13 Will Work for Bike Lanes: Why States and Commmunities Need Bicycle and Pedestrian Staff Bicycle Friendly 13 America Workstand Working Toward a More Bicycle-friendly Nation 16 Cycling + Remodeling: Strange Bedfellows?

23 How to Build a BFC Trying to make a difference in your community? Here are some helpful hints 16 from someone who’s been there Also Inside: 26 Member News A sad farewell to three League members

27 Giving List Thank you to all our contributors

AmericanBicyclist 1 viewpoint [Andy Clarke, president]

We’ve Arrived! There are bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and Capitol Hill. The nation’s Main Street is now a Complete Street.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), threw out a challenge at the opening of the 2009 National Bike Summit that “there should be bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue by the time we reconvene next year.” It was a good line, and it got a big cheer; yet it seemed almost as if it was hyperbole, a challenge made for effect. After all, Pennsylvania Avenue is an iconic street with more watchdog bodies overseeing it than the oil drilling and financial services sectors combined. The challenges involved in integrating bike lanes into this street, of all streets, are huge. And yet on Bike to Work Day 2010, the ribbon was cut and the lanes were opened. The design is rather unique, fitting for a rather unique and special Saving the planet street in the heart of the nation’s capital. It will likely be scrutinized as cyclists, one page at a time pedestrians and motorists alike get used to the new configuration. But to focus American Bicyclist is printed on that is, I believe, to miss something quite remarkable. Pennsylvania Avenue with soy ink on 30% has bike lanes. We’ve arrived! post-consumer recycled In cities across the country, conditions for cyclists are improving in front paper certified by the Forest of our very eyes. New York City put two hundred miles of bikeways on the Stewardship Council. ground in two years; Denver launched the nation’s first full-scale bikeshare program in April; in the next few months San Francisco will implement three years-worth of bike lanes, shared lane arrows, in-street bike parking and other improvements that have been held up because of a legal challenge. Indianapo- lis and Philadelphia received multi-million dollar stimulus grants to complete critical bikeways. The momentum is exciting — and our challenge is to make sure it is more than just fleeting. The issues are still very much on our side and the opportunity is ours to take. As you enjoy your riding this summer, dare to dream about where you might be riding this time next year. If there are bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue, almost anything is possible.

Andy Clarke League President

2 AmericanBicyclist chair’smessage [Hans van Naerssen]

A New Day Former Board Chair Amanda Eichstaedt occasionally called me a Mad Dog, and I think she could be right.

ix years ago, a Pennsylva- It is an honor to be elected Chair nia highway improvement of the League and to follow the project blocked safe bicycling footsteps of Amanda Eichstaedt. She access to local stores in my has done a wonderful job as Board Stownship. The township supervisor Chair for many years, orchestrating declared, “You will never see side- many discussions and enhancements walks or bike paths in this township,” for the League Board and national and I got mad. I got so mad that my bicycle advocacy. anger spurred me to action. I discov- ered and linked-up with a myriad of What is Next? transportation decision-makers and Over the next year or so, the bike advocates at all levels to change Board will be discussing and setting the system. 10-year goals and short-term strate- gies in support of the League’s mis- Results sion — to promote bicycling for fun, After years of hard work, last fitness, and transportation and work month my township started con- through advocacy and education for structing the first sidewalk in de- a bicycle-friendly America. Later cades. Policies at the regional and this year we will ask for your input to change. Perhaps, in 10 years my Pennsylvania state level were changed and that of other bicycling advocacy, township supervisors and others will to require “consideration of and safe education and promotional leaders. do the same. access by pedestrians and bicyclists.” We are all needed to help shape and I hope the readers of American Additionally, existing state and local refine the country’s bicycle-friendly Bicyclist will be inspired to change bicycling and pedestrian organiza- roadmap. their area for the better too! Visit tions were beefed up, while new or- In the meantime, I’m enjoying bikeleague.org to find out how you ganizations were formed to fill voids bicycling. I survived my first moun- can make a difference. and to protect and promote bicyclists tain bike tour last April in Moab, and pedestrian interests. Utah (it often feels like diving into an Hans van Naerssen So being a mad dog and not empty swimming pool). Last week- League Chair letting go until things change does end, I pedaled through the Amish work; although, I like to think I am of and Mennonite farming communities a kinder, gentler nature. in Lancaster, Pa. And this mad dog is still doing many local errands by bike — part of a small minority that we are working

AmericanBicyclist 3 inbox [letters to the editor]

Tell Us ... What motivates you to bike to work in the morning? In addition to our regular letters to the editor, we also want to know how you feel about specific topics. We’ll post a question in every new In Box. Share your answer by mail or e-mail. Please include your name and address and title your Qletter “In Box Q.” Send answers to [email protected]. We may edit letters for length and clarity.

FACEBOOK MESSAGE FACEBOOK MESSAGE TWEETED I’m surprised to see that my Wouldn’t it be nice to see this energy for promoting cycling I didn’t know it was state, California, has gotten all year long — not just Bike Month? National Bike Month worse every year (Bicycle Friendly Fingerlakes Mountainbikeclub, — inspires me to finally State Rankings). I’m not surprised May 12 start pedaling to work ... that Washington has remained loverivers, May 19 no. 1; things seem to happen slower up there. Last year I did some cycling on Orcas Island, Wash., and the motorists there were the most patient, cautious, and friendly that I have experienced anywhere in the world. THE EYES HAVE IT Chris Loakimedes, May 19 American Bicyclist BFS What? magazine has a new look. For more than 25 years I have trav- We’ve listened to your eled by bicycle and to places in order Focused on Distracted Driving comments, developed a to bicycle. I have bicycled in 25 states; I ride fairly often in 12 states, and I As a cyclist and ride leader, I thought new way to present the feel I know six or seven states very your story “The Dangers of Distract- information, injected well. Your Bicycle Friendly States of ed Driving” in the March/April issue some style, and added a 2009 baffles me. was very timely. In the sidebar under lot of readability. We hope -Sue Pitts “State Laws” the story stated that distracted driving is a secondary offense you like it, and we want to Editors Note hear about it. Send feed- The League annually ranks all 50 back to communications@ states for bicycle-friendliness. We do bikeleague.org. this based on a multi-faceted Bicycle TWEETED Friendly State (BFS) questionnaire Maine is the no. 3 Bike that is answered by each state’s Bi- Friendly State says the cycle Coordinator. The data collected League of American Bicyclists. — based on 95 questions, across six Pedal Power; Yessah! categories — is verified by League Fendler, May 24 staff in concert with advocates in each state. The BFS section at bikeleague.org includes information on how the ranking system works.

4 American Bicyclist TWEETED On this date in 1894: The League of American Wheelmen (now Bicyclists) predicts personal bicycle-powered air travel. Really.

A bicycle with wings attached to its frame for an early attempt at a flying machine, circa 1900. This, strangely enough, is a tame design. photo: howthingswork.com

in Washington State. I’m pleased to FACEBOOK MESSAGE report that Washington Gov. Chris Woooooow! You make it even Gregoire recently signed a bill elevat- better with Google Mobile Bi- ing driving while texting or using a cycling Directions. I’m not surprised hand-held cell phone to a primary this new technology is taking us offense. The upgraded law becomes everywhere, way easier! SALUD for effective on June 10. Hopefully, it’ll that ... ride safe, and have fun. help keep cyclists a little safer, and Mayra Hernandez, May 12 penalize those who foolishly think they can multi-task while driving. - Lehman Holder, Vancouver, WA TWEETED FACEBOOK MESSAGE Basking a little this Every day is bike to work day... morning. Washington Brian Robbins, May 14 was rated the rated the no. 1 bicycle-friendly state (again). Wsdot, May 20

Thanks for your letters We eagerly await all of your comments — good and bad — on cycling, the League, our publications, and just about anything else you want to tell us about. E-mail [email protected] or mail it to us at 1612 K Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20006. Comment on facebook.com/leagueamericanbicyclists or twitter. com/bikeleague. Letters may be edited for style and length.

American Bicyclist 5 6 American cogs&gears done for you lately? the League What has 50. 49. 48. 47. 46. The lowest scoring states ranked 46through 50are: 4. MINNESOTA At thetop ofthelistare: progress.” View at bikeleague.org. theBFSrankings –andwe orbusiness, aremunity butisnolessimportant seeingreal President. “Change at thestate level isharder to seethaninacom- in order to improve conditions for cyclists,” saidAndy Clarke, League groups newadvocacy changes, adoptnewpoliciesandeven start advocates,wide bicycle are usingthisprogram to target legislative thisMay.rankings “We are delighted that states, to report andstate The League announced ourthird Friendly annualBicycle State (BFS) 1. WASHINGTON Alabama Dakota North Montana West Virginia New Mexico Bicyclist

2010state rankings friendly bicycle

5. OREGON 2. WISCONSIN [ League News doubled for Biketo Work Day. KeeponpedalingAmerica! cans commuting to work daily, we estimate that thisnumber and schoolevents nationwide –with0.55percent- ofAmeri inbiketo work with communities andschoolsparticipating The League sponsored the54thAnnual National BikeMonth, ] 3. MAINE - 5,300 visitors for April andMay 5,300 visitors forApril Education andMay 8,000 visitors forApril Bicycle Friendly Communities andMay 35,000 visitors forApril Bike Month Avenue (Updated) (5.05.10) Bike onPennsylvania Lanes (5.21.10) Bike to Work Day Web Roundup Royal (6.07.10) ASlam Dunk Ride (6.10.10) Bikes inBlackHawk, Banned Colo. bikeleague.org MOST POPULARAT staffsnapshot Carly Sieff, Bicycle Friendly America Program Assistant

I remember going on a family bike In college I also co-founded trip when I was eight years old on my Bikes@Brown, Brown Univer- cousin’s hand-me-down bike. As the sity’s first bike share program, little one in the family, everyone checked and I led bike trips along the Narragan- in with me as we got farther from home sett Bay in Rhode Island — I was Vice but I refused to admit that my tiny legs President of the Brown Outing Club. were exhausted. When I could no longer After school, I sought out the ride, my dad rode back to get the car to League for employment. I am interested pick me up. I felt elated at making it so in the relationship between people and far — and defeated at not finishing. That place and how city design and transpor- experience was only the beginning of tation planning can bring people closer my bicycling adventures. with their surroundings. By working at I attended Brown University in the League, I hope to help guide more Providence, R.I. where I majored in Urban communities, businesses and universi- Studies and Science and Society, with an ties to become more bike-friendly. environmental focus. Even though my Currently, my bike is my sole form parents were concerned that bicycling of transportation. I ride all over D.C., and in Providence was too dangerous, I was I love it! I go on long rides on weekends certain that a bike was how I wanted to cross-train. Aside from the efficiency, to get around. I bought a $20 thrift I love the perspective that the bicycle store bike with no brakes and a slightly gives me of a landscape. A bicycle crooked wheel which proved unusable. provides a level of intimacy that really I signed up for Bike and Build, raised allows me to connect with people and enough money for a road bike with ac- my surroundings. tual brakes, and biked from Providence, % R.I. to Seattle, Wash. 82 distracteddrivingupdate The percentage of League members who According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, seven state read every issue of texting bans are about to go into effect. This makes the total American Bicyclist states with texting bans 28. We’re more than halfway magazine. Visit there, America! The seven new states are: bikeleague.org to read past issues. Iowa (takes effect 7/10, secondary law) Michigan (takes effect 7/10) Kansas (takes effect 1/11) Nebraska (takes effect 7/10) Washington (takes effect 6/10) Wisconsin (takes effect 2/10) Wyoming (takes effect 7/10)

AmericanBicyclist 7 SMART CYCLING (EDUCATION) Getting SMARTER with the League By Meghan Cahill

WHY DO PEOPLE RIDE BIKES – to feel the wind in their hair, to feel like a kid, for exercise, for freedom, to reduce their carbon footprint? Maybe it’s just the easiest way to get from point A to point B and to avoid traffic. No matter the reason we ride, one result is the same for us all – we become empowered and more confident. We also become responsible for our own personal safety. The League’s in-depth curricula for all Wages and levels of cyclists, along with our national network of League Cycling Instructors (LCI), is empowering cyclists with the knowledge of how to handle their bike on and off the road, spurring good judgment in traffic situations, and preparing them for safer rides. Smart Cycling The League’s educational curriculum spans from clinics for children just beginning to advanced League Cycling In- structor (LCI) classes certifying instructors to teach the League curriculum. The League is working to get more people on bikes more often, and when they hop on bikes we want them to know what it takes to be safe. Bike commuters, recreational riders and fitness cyclists need to be armed with education to feel safe on streets and trails and, most importantly,

8 AmericanBicyclist enjoy the ride. Educated bicyclists lead the parking lot drill diagrams,” said Traffic Skills 101 by example, and when more cyclists Glen Harrison, Bicycle Education Di- provides valuable are riding safely and confidently, rector at the Washington Area Bicy- information such as wearing protective gear and signaling clist Association. “They are provided negotiating traffic correctly, more cyclists will follow suit. in small spoke-card sized teaching and lane positioning, The League’s Education Com- format. Very handy!” LCI certification and these elements can’t really be found mittee, a Board committee, sets the also includes very useful teaching tips anywhere else. strategic direction of the education and methodology to help make TS program. In 2008, the League did a 101 and 201 classes fun and valuable. complete overhaul of the education Harrison added, “One important ben- curricula and renamed Road 1 and 2 efit to the Smart Cycling makeover is in aggressive traffic situations. Traf- to Traffic Skills (TS) 101 and 201. The that the presentation is professional fic Skills 201 is for more advanced idea is that on our roadways, bikes and therefore more appealing and students with an understanding of are treated as vehicles, and simply accessible to human resource depart- vehicular cycling principles. This knowing how to ride a bike is not the ments, transportation departments twelve-hour course includes fitness same as knowing how to operate a and other potential clients.” and physiology, training for longer bike safely and legally in traffic. Cascade Bicycle Club of Seattle, rides, advanced mechanics, paceline The League’s Smart Cycling cur- Wash. was so impressed with the skills, advanced traffic negotiation, ricula, TS 101 and 201, is a program TS 101 curriculum that it inspired foul weather riding and night riding. for adults that is taught nationally them to write their own bike safety and focuses on the fundamentals of education program – “Riding with Where Do You Go After the bike, maintenance, street signage, Confidence” – for their members and TS 201? traffic rules and laws. The LCIs in- community. When asked why they The demand for varied cycling corporate the manual into drills and used TS 101 as a template, Julie Sal- education has grown in recent years. traffic situations. The drills give the athé from the Cascade Bicycle Club The League wanted to maintain our new and returning riders the tools said the curriculum, “provides valu- solid education reputation while they need to take to the streets and able road skills information, such as meeting our member’s needs. To ride safely and confidently. negotiating traffic and lane position- meet the new need we developed ing, and these elements can’t really be short Commuter and Group Riding Traffic Skills 101 found anywhere else.” The club has curriculums and Bicycling Skills 123, TS 101 gives cyclists the confi- one of the larger LCI taught educa- with the National Bicycle Dealers As- dence they need to ride safely and tion programs in the nation, and they sociation (NBDA). legally in traffic or on the trail. It is wanted to produce consistent educa- The commuting program sup- divided into distinct modules which tion materials that included local ports the League’s efforts in getting make it much easier to adapt to vari- resources and Cascade programming. adults and children to bike to work, ous teaching situations. The student school, errands and play safely. Adult materials are presented in booklets Traffic Skills 201 cyclists who wish to commute to that are easy to understand and have The next level, TS 201, ramps up work or school by bike will learn appropriate photographs and dia- the learning curve for the cyclist who route selection, bicycle choice, deal- grams. “The instructor materials have wants to do more of his own bicycle ing with cargo and clothing, bike also been updated and, in particular, maintenance and is faced with rides parking, lighting, reflection, and foul

RULES OF THE ROAD Ride with Use the rightmost Obey all traffic control Always look back and traffic and obey lane that heads in the devices, such as stop use hand and arm the same laws direction that you are signs, lights and lane signals to indicate as motorists. traveling. markings. your intention to stop, merge or turn.

AmericanBicyclist 9 SMART CYCLING (EDUCATION)

weather riding in the commuting of cyclists, traffic course. Group Riding Skills works on and hand signals, making riders more comfortable in principles of right- large groups like the biggest charity of-way and left and rides. If you can ride with 10 riders right turn problems. you can ride with 1,300. The League’s Bicycling Skills Children 123 is designed to support NBDA Count Too member dealers as they encourage The Cycling cycle safety within their community. Skills Parent course is The League provides the materials designed for parents and training for bicycle store owners who want to teach a and employees to teach safe rid- child to ride a bike. ing to their customers in short and This class will give them the tools to confidence and knowledge of traffic entertaining classes. Several NBDA instruct their children to perform a handling. You must be a member of member dealers were involved in bicycle safety check, wear the right the League of American Bicyclists creating and refining the program helmet correctly and general safely. and attend a LCI training seminar – and have used it successfully to help The class includes a 10-minute “Kids normally one evening and two full people ride safely and with confi- Eye View” video and a brochure for days. The registration fee is $200 and dence. Bicycling Skills 123 is a great parents. Safe Routes to School is for includes the Enjoy the Ride DVD and way to make sure your customers 5th and 6th graders who are ready to Smart Cycling instructor materials. understand and practice the basics ride independently on the road. The To remain certified you must keep of sound cycling, and to position curriculum is similar to TS 101 but your League membership current, re- the local retail store as the center of is tailored to this age group. Les- new your LCI status with the League cycling in the community. sons include on-bike skills as well as once a year, and teach or otherwise choosing safe routes for riding. be active in your cycling community. Anything for Drivers? To register to become an LCI, choose Yes! Our motorist program is Who is Teaching? a seminar from the Instructor Semi- easily added to driver’s education The League’s LCIs are a network nar Schedule page at bikeleague.org. curriculums, such as diversion train- of cycling instructors who teach our Rich Conroy, Bicycle Education ing for reckless drivers or a course Smart Cycling curriculum across the Programs Director of Bike New York, designed for local fleet drivers. This country. Becoming an LCI is a great is an LCI Coach. Coaches run the class is directed towards motorists way to share your passion for cycling LCI seminars and certify new LCIs. to share the road safely with bikes to those looking to ride better in When he started as Bike New York’s and complements our Rules of the your community. LCIs encourage Education Program Director, there Road campaign. Topics that are and educate bicyclists, getting more were only three LCIs in New York covered include roadway positioning people on bikes more often with the City (now there are 43), and he rec- GET SMART! Smart Cycling Traffic Skills 101 Traffic Skills 201 Commuting Cycling Skills The Smart Cycling Covers bicycle Course includes fitness Topics include route Parent Course program is a set of safety checks, fix- and physiology, training selection, bicycle Designed for parents, curricula for adults ing a flat, on-bike for longer rides, advanced choice, dealing with instructors explain how to and children to be- skills and crash mechanics, paceline skills, cargo and clothing, teach a child to ride a bike. come confident riders avoidance tech- advanced traffic negotia- bike parking, lighting, Safe Routes to School on the trail and on niques. tion, foul weather riding reflection, and foul Traffic Skills 101 class for the street. and night riding. weather riding. 5th and 6th Graders.

10 AmericanBicyclist

Educated bicyclists lead by example,

and when“ more cyclists are riding safely and confidently, “ wearing protective gear and signaling correctly, more bike riders will follow suit.

communicators to have an organization can do some of the effective education program legwork to market and set up classes – so that’s why I teach LCI and events, so that the instructor can seminars,” said Conroy. focus on teaching. The standards for certifying instructors remain very Success Rates, Graduates high. LCIs can literally save people’s and Active LCIs ognized the need for NYC to greatly lives. Conroy has had students tell Seminars tend to be well attended expand that number to get bike edu- him that what they learned in the and have a pretty good balance of cation in the region. “Mainly I do this classes helped them prevent a bad women and men. Most new LCIs stay because I firmly believe that educa- crash. “The majority of LCI candi- active because of ample teaching op- tion is a critical ingredient for getting dates that have attended seminars portunities and better communication more cyclists out there on the roads were excellent teachers and cyclists, between the League and the instruc- and streets,” said Conroy. “I teach and were dedicated to the growth of tors. The League estimates that 2/3 of LCI seminars because LCIs literally cycling in their towns, counties and the candidates that attend seminars help the growth of cycling. Building states. There are really some wonder- remain active. For Conroy, Bike New more bike paths and lanes is great, ful people who get involved in this York’s instructors get really awesome because they give novices quieter program,” said Conroy. feedback from their classes, and they places to gain experience, but a bike However, there are challenges get a lot of fan mail and raves. Visit lane doesn’t teach you how high to involved when coordinating LCI bikenewyork.org/education/classes/ raise your seat, how to use your gear seminars: getting enough experi- savvy.html. system, or how to perform basic enced cyclists into a seminar so that maintenance on your bike.” There are it will run; managing the clock in a LCI Site Facilitator a lot of novices or would-be cyclists very tightly packed training sched- It takes more than willing LCI who are afraid of riding in traffic. ule; rainy weather; and keeping the coaches, students and graduates for Knowing all the little safety tips help newly minted LCIs active. Some of the League’s Smart Cycling program keep novice cyclists in the game, so the candidates get overwhelmed at to be successful. We depend on site that they become permanent cy- putting together just one class. It facilitators to find where education clists. Education and practice helps helps if there’s a local organization needs are not being met throughout overcome fear. “You need experienced that supports bike education that the country. Gail Spann is on the and expert cyclists who are skilled gets involved with the seminars. The League board and a dedicated LCI

Motorist Education Bicycling 123 Bicycling 123: Youth Bicycling 123: New Directed towards motorists NBDA MEMBER BENEFIT The 123 Youth guide and Returning Riders in general, topics include The League and the NBDA outlines 13 stations – Basic handling drills de- roadway positioning of partnered to create a quick, four administrative sta- signed to allow a cyclist cyclists, traffic and hand easy and effective course for tions and nine activity to feel more confident signals, principles of right-of- bike shop employees and stations. handling their bicycle. way and left and right turn volunteers to teach NBDA problems. shop customers. Find courses or instructors in your state at bikeleague.org.

AmericanBicyclist 11 SMART CYCLING (EDUCATION)

site facilitator. She had been teach- maps of the routes available, being LCI Seminars ing cycling classes for years as a racer sure they had a way to show slides Those who attend the 20-hour and president of various cycling clubs or power point presentations, and LCI seminar receive instruction in before becoming a site facilitator. finding a place for students to put and outside of the classroom and on “It just seemed natural to organize their bikes in a secure environment. bike, usually during the course of a that part of my life and do it right, “I work with the Seminar Coach to single weekend. Attendees receive by taking the, then, Road 1 class. I make their job easier,” said Spann. a copy of the League Guide to Safe was quite surprised at how much I “The easier I can make it on the and Effective Cycling, the Enjoy learned; after all ... I thought I knew Seminar Coach, the better. the Ride DVD (one covering adult it all!” said Spann. “I was so enthused cycling practices and one aimed at after the class that a few weeks later Securing an LCI Seminar the parents of small children), and I drove 257 miles on a Friday to take First, you have to make sure your a League Cycling Instructor Manual the class for LCI certification.” area has enough TS 101 classes. The with curricula and support material Spann encourages others to be- key is to have the minimum of 10 for teaching classes to adult and child come a LCI because she sees the need students needed for the LCI seminar. cyclists, parents of young children, bi- for more dedicated LCIs. Originally, If you teach three classes of 10 to cycle commuters and motorists. Once Spann wanted to organize a seminar 12 students each, that gives you the certified you are listed in the League’s for some of her former students and base for a successful LCI seminar by national Web site database where you offered to be the Site Facilitator. She having enough interested students. can post your courses for free and get realized that her duties were not dif- Spann usually asks students that pass one-year coverage under the League’s ficult and included: scouting out a the TS 101 if they are interested in individual liability insurance for LCIs, classroom facility, finding a parking becoming an LCI; she keeps a record renewable each year for $25. lot that suited their needs, making of those who are interested. When there are 15 to 20 Get Bike-educated students inter- To get more involved you can ested it is time take a class, share program info, teach to consider the a class or become an LCI coach or site seminar. coordinator. When we have more bicyclists involved in the Smart Cycling program, more people will become committed to riding. It makes sense. When kids go to college, they tend to use their area of study in all aspects of their life. Spread the message, take a class and ride safely and smartly. Ride empowered and your smart cycling will one day influence others. To learn more about the League’s Smart Cycling Education program, visit bikeleague.org. The Web site has loads of tips, including: why ride, ride better, teach riding, course descrip- tions and locations, and how to become an LCI. Get educated today and enjoy the ride!

For more information, contact Preston Tyree, Director of Education at [email protected].

12 AmericanBicyclist THINK BIKE (ADVOCACY)

Why Communities and BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN States Need Bicycle PROGRAM managers are com- mon in U.S. cities and, along with and Pedestrian Staff other transportation planners and By Darren Flusche bicycling advocates, are a critical part of creating a bicycle-friendly community. Staff help communities plan for and respond to the needs of cyclists and pedestrians. An analysis of 40 of the largest U.S. cities shows that cities with bicycle Band pedestrian staff have higher levels of bicycling than the cities without staff. Cities with larger staff – both in count and per capita – have higher levels of bicycling and are more likely to be recog- nized Bicycle Friendly Communi- ties than cities with smaller staffs. About bicycle and pedestrian program managers Bicycling program managers institutionalize the consideration of bicycling accommodations throughout transportation departments and other relevant areas of government. State bicycle program managers direct planning efforts, develop and implement projects, ensure design guidelines are fol- lowed, and improve bicycling-re- lated policies. Local managers run programs and implement projects in the community’s bicycle and pedestrian plans. They also evalu- ate existing plans and initiate new will ones.1 Most cities have bicycle and pedestrian staff work The Alliance for Bicycling & Walking2 surveyed the 50 larg- BIKE est U.S. cities to find how many bicycle and pedestrian staff they for 3 employed. Of the 40 cities that responded, only two do not have LANES any staff dedicated to bicycle and AmericanBicyclist 13 THINK BIKE (ADVOCACY)

pedestrian issues. More than half of .2% Zero staff members the responding cities have one or two Cities with staff spending at least part of their .55% One to two staff more bIke/ped (including part-time) time on them. A quarter of the cities staff have higher have more than four staff working on shares of bicycle 1.1% Three to four staff bike and pedestrian issues. commuters Communities with larger 2.19% More than four staff bicycle and pedestrian staffs have higher levels of cycling Cities with more than four bike staff have ten times What impact do bicycle and the bike commuter share of cities without staff. pedestrian staff have on bicycling levels? The U.S. Census Bureau’s Ameri- can Community Survey measures Not a BFC .6% share the percentage of workers who use Average bike the bicycle as their primary mode of Bronze 1% share 4 commuter share by transportation to work. Comparing Silver 1.7% share staffing levels to the commuter data Bicycle Friendly shows that larger bicycle and pedes- Community Gold 2% share trian staffs are correlated with higher status bike commuter levels. The cities with- Platinum 6% share out bike staff had the lowest average bike commuter share. As the size of a Cities with large bicycle staffs are more likely to city’s staff increases the average bike have accomplished more for bicycling in their communities than other cities. Larger staffs get commu-

All but two of the 40 nities to the next level.

“cities in the sample have bicycle and pedestrian “ forts to improve bicycling conditions. get communities to the next level. staff. Ten have more than Applicants describe their invest- Without planning for bicycling, ments in five categories of bicycle- a city’s transportation network is four staff members. friendliness: engineering, education, incomplete. Employing bicycle and encouragement, enforcement, and pedestrian staff shows that a com- commuter share also increases. Cities evaluation and planning. Staffing munity is committed to a comprehen- with more than four staff averaged levels are only a few questions in the sive transportation system; they are a ten times greater share of bicycle comprehensive BFC application, but critical to integrating bicycling into commuters than cities without staff – there is strong correlation with BFC the municipality’s plans and projects. 2.1 percent compared to 0.2 percent. recognition. Cities with large bicycle Bike commuting levels and Bicycle Cities that make a serious commit- staffs are more likely to have accom- Friendly Community recognition ment to bicycle planning see a greater plished more for bicycling in their patterns show that larger staff invest- return on investment than cities with communities than other cities. fewer staff. Eighty-eight communities in the U.S. have achieved bronze Bicycle Cities with more than

Bike staff levels correlate Friendly status. Only 36 have received “four bike staff members with overall bicycle- silver, gold, or platinum recognition. friendliness Non-BFCs average one and a half have ten times the bike“ The League of American Bicy- staff; bronze BFCs average three staff; clists’ Bicycle Friendly Community and the top three categories com- commuter share of (BFC) Program recognizes commu- bined average 11 staff. Larger staffs cities without staff. nities that have made dedicated ef-

14 American Bicyclist Number of 30 bike staff by Bicycle ments are associated with better bicy- Friendly Community cling outcomes. The route to higher 25 Status levels of bike-friendliness, though, is Average number best planned through the combined 20 of staff efforts of the city, bicycle advisory 15 Average staff committees, advocacy organizations per mIllion and advocates. 10

For more information, includ- 5 ing a discussion of staff in smaller communities, see the full report at: Not a BFC Bronze Silver Gold Platinum bikeleague.org/resources/reports.

Darren Flusche is a member of the (Endnotes) Advocacy Advance team, a partner- 1. FHWA, Case Study #22: The role of State Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinators, and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, www.walkinginfo.org ship between the League of American 2. Source for staff levels: Alliance for Bicycling & Walking, Bicycling and Walking in the United Bicyclists and the Alliance for Bik- States 2010: Benchmarking Report, based on a 2008 survey of the 50 largest US cities. www. ing and Walking. Advocacy Advance peoplepoweredmovement.org. The 10 cities among the largest 50 not included are Los researches issues critical to the bicy- Angeles, Jacksonville, Memphis, El Paso, Nashville, Albuquerque, Sacramento, Cleveland, cling community, writes reports and Omaha, and Arlington, TX. bi-monthly columns about these topics. 3. All staff numbers are expressed as full-time-equivalent (FTE). That is, a city with two half-time staff would be listed here as having one FTE. The reports help Alliance member or- 4. Source for bicycle commuting levels: 2008 American Community Survey, analysis by the ganizations access Federal funding for League of American Bicyclists, http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/reports/acs_commuter_ bicycle and pedestrian projects. trends.php

American Bicyclist 15 BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA WORKSTAND cycling+ remodeling strange bedfellows? T

16 American Bicyclist A story about taken a number of everybodyBIKE’s road; and complete with concrete viral infiltration classes. I’m an all-weather cycling curbs and steel guardrails instead of By Rick Dubrow commuter (except for snow and ice), shoulders! and this past summer I rode in two I selected our two carpenters of THERE’S A SYNDROME IN THE classic rides in Washington State choice for the project — Chris Pas- remodeling industry called remodel- – Cascade Bicycle Club’s Seattle to quini, 37-years-old and the Project ing fever. It refers to a client’s typical Portland ride, as well as Ride Seattle Manager, and Adam Yost, 28 and Pas- reaction to watching their home get to Vancouver Then Party. quini’s Support Carpenter. They were torn apart by a bunch of near strang- Barton’s challenge to my com- game for the challenge, with some ers who practically live with them pany was an opportunity to infect my caveats: 1. for the duration. The drywall dust co-workers! Their cycling equipment was gravitates throughout; numerous Her project was to repair the marginal and in need of some trucks clog their driveway; a window faulty siding and deck connection lighting, visible vests and warmer T performed about eight years ago by gloves. gets mistakenly left open overnight. 2. The list can prove viral to the home’s in- another local contractor. This was Given the home’s location, they habitants. Tempers elevate; fevers rise. not a large project – it took us three needed a tune-up on their skill set. 3. There’s another unrelated virus weeks – but a critical repair given They didn’t want their longer – bicycling – that is infiltrating our her home’s exposure to Bellingham commute times to cost them any remodeling company, A-1 Build- Bay’s southwest, wind-driven rains. income. 4. ers. Unlike remodeling fever, we’re Located on a bluff above the Nook- Nor did they want their trucks hopeful that this particular virus does sack River’s broad delta, the home to live on site during the project, gravitate throughout. is near a difficult cycling road: one given their exposure to pos- This story is about the union of lane in each direction; no bike lanes, sible vandalism. So their trucks the two viruses, cycling and remodel- not even shoulders to speak of; a 40 couldn’t act as their tool boxes as ing – seemingly strange bedfellows. It mph speed limit; a road notorious they normally do. all started when our client, Ellen Bar- for alcohol-infused drivers; just past ton, asked A-1 Builders if we would a terribly dangerous two-lane bridge I committed to help them over use bicycles for the transportation along a blind, sweeping curve in the these speed bumps. aspects of her remodeling project. This made sense, given her world view. For three years she’s been the program manager for the Whatcom Council of Governments’ every- bodyBIKE (everybodybike.com), the bicycle education program for What- com Smart Trips (whatcomSmart- Trips.org). Whatcom Smart Trips is an ongoing partnership between local government, public agencies, employers, and schools to promote transpor- Carpenters Chris Pasquini tation by walking, bicycling, sharing (left) and Adam Yost agreed rides, and riding the bus. to travel to and from the Barton already knew I was in- job site by bicycle. fected by the cycling virus since I had

American Bicyclist 17 BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA WORKSTAND

Project Logistics weather (he took the bus instead, lockers for the crew’s tools which Just what aspects of the project supporting our goal of using would ordinarily be stored in were bicycles appropriate for? It’s one alternative transportation!). their pickups. He used 30 min- thing to get our carpenters there, but 2. When I called Leon Costanten, utes to prepare and place these another to move equipment, materi- the inspector, I asked him wheth- two lockers on site, time which als and debris. And what about the er he’d be game for this challenge. wouldn’t have been necessary if inspector Barton hired to create the His response was instantaneous. we had used their trucks as tool scope of work, as well as inspect our “You’ll have to find another in- boxes. And no additional vehicle progress along the way? She wanted spector!” Since he was already an trip was necessary to place these tool lockers.

Our first experiment:We asked our entire team to saddle up and haul our debris box to Ellen’s house. Just kidding! But it was a blast taking this photo!

an inspector’s input and oversight integral part of the team, though, 6. Our Production Manager Joe into the repair work because the first he remained on board. Gillmer, who periodically visits attempt had already failed! Would the 3. Barton wanted to save and our numerous job sites to check inspector be willing to bike there? reuse most of the deconstructed on quality and progress, was Our first experiment was asking materials, so debris hauling was committed to the challenge but our entire team to saddle up and haul insignificant. was days away from shoulder our debris box to Ellen’s house. 4. Pasquini spent extra time and surgery. No way could he hop on (just kidding!) But it sure was a blast attention to create a single, his bike for this project. taking the photo! We settled for the large material delivery from our following scenario: traditional supplier, Builders The challenge proved to be about 1. Pasquini and Yost would cycle as Alliance, so we could minimize more than the time, passion, energy, often as possible getting to and vehicle trips and not take them vision and money that it takes to from the site. Ultimately this be- for granted. bring change to any organization’s came every single day except for 5. Similarly, we challenged our Op- culture. It is about the need for inter- the first day when they offloaded erations Manager Chris Frerichs nal champions; the need for commu- their tools, the last day when they to focus on a single delivery of nity support; the need for flexibility picked up their tools, and one tools and equipment, includ- amidst a team; the need for coopera- day when Chris was under the ing two additional steel storage tion between a business and a client;

18 American Bicyclist the need for addressing the dual chal- Pasquini’s prior cycling experi- Additionally, we accepted lenges of peak oil and climate change. ence was more substantial. He grew Barton’s offer for a private cycling And, yes, this story is about two guys up on a BMX bike, riding dirt trails classroom lesson before the project willing to take on something new and and hills, and then commuted to commenced – one very similar to different. work in San Francisco for about four what her office offers our community. years in the mid ’90s. Once or twice a The everybodyBIKE’s First Gear Bi- Builders and Bikers week he would also bag recreational cycle Class includes rules of the road, Our internal champions Pasquini rides to the coast – about 40 minutes laws of the road, commuting hints, and Yost both grew up using their each way. But moving to Washington equipment preferences, confidence and comfort. She spent two hours with Pasquini and Yost, along with The challenge proved to be about more two other co-workers who wanted to sit in and absorb what they could. “than the time, passion, energy, vision and During the class, Pasquini suggested that our office staff would probably be money that it takes to bring change to any in a better position to bike commute than our production team, since they organization’s culture. It is about the need for wear more standard clothing than our carpenters. “Actually,” said Ellen, internal champions; the need for community “most people say the opposite: wear-

support; the need for flexibility amidst a team; ing more formal clothing is a bigger barrier to biking.” the need for cooperation between a business “ The Bottom Line and a client; the need for addressing the dual What about the social and environmental benefits we achieved as challenges of peak oil and climate change. a result of Ellen’s project? First, the hard data: 1. Pasquini bike commuted the five-and-one-half-miles each way for nine work days (20 minutes each way); by bus one day (40 bikes to visit friends and assorted changed his style; he’s hardly touched minutes each way; he had a chest errands prior to being able to drive a his bike. cold so he biked to the bus stop, car. Yost’s commute to Barton’s home, Our challenge changed this. “I put his bike on the bus; took the at 8 miles each way, proved to be the felt invigorated by the rides [5.5 miles bus home along with his bike); longest ride of his life! So he went out each way]. I felt more awake and by single-occupancy pickup two and bought a $30 used Nishiki road alive. And given my home life with days (10 minutes each way). bike prior to project commencement; my wife and toddler, the exercise was 2. Yost bike commuted the eight his existing mountain bike felt inap- a welcome change!” said Pasquini. “It miles each way for 10 work days propriate for this challenge. took me about 30 minutes a day of (40 minutes each way); by single- Yost was concerned about feeling additional preparation time to deal occupancy pickup two days (20 wasted working four 10-hour days with clothing, cycling equipment and minutes each way). at Barton’s, with an eight-mile ride tools; and like Yost, I arrived on site 3. One diesel truck delivery was before and after work, but he ended with additional energy. I was ready to made by our local lumber yard, up feeling rejuvenated. “When I got have at it!” And again, like Yost, Chris Builders Alliance. to Ellen’s house in the morning I came back home at day’s end not feel- 4. Frerichs, our Operations Manag- actually found that I had more energy ing any more tired than had he drove er, supported the crew by moving than usual! And at the end of my his pickup each way. Bike riding, materials, tools and equipment. work day I arrived back home feeling simply put, is energizing. normal; not drained as I had feared.”

American Bicyclist 19 BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA WORKSTAND 336 9 $40 272 (almost) total pounds of total number amount saved total pounds of carbon monoxide in vehicle of miles biked eliminated carbon dioxide fuel costs eliminated

He logged 30 miles in our small 1. Pasquini spent 40 minutes extra toss in the social and environmental Toyota Tacoma pickup and an time per round trip to the site, or benefits. Yes, more difficult to quan- additional 30 miles in our one 6.7 hours of cycling overall. tify, but that’s never stopped us. Our ton Chevy swap-loader. Although 2. Yost spent 20 minutes extra time efforts created: he bicycle commutes to our office per round trip to the site, or 3.3 1. Less traffic and pollution. at times, none of his trips to Bar- hours of cycling overall. 2. Healthier and happier employees. ton’s jobsite were at all practical 3. Gillmer (would have) spent 20 3. A happier client. by bike. minutes extra time per round trip 4. Longer life expectancy for our to the site, or 3.3 hours of cycling trucks. All in all, we biked 336 miles. overall. 5. Less dependency upon petroleum. Well, almost; 336 miles assumed that 6. A company focus upon better Gillmer, our Production Manager, From a single-bottom-line per- planning in general; fewer trips didn’t have a bum shoulder and was spective, our labor costs increased of any kind. able to bike as well. by $332 for a project with total hard 7. A new cultural buzz within our The environmental advantages costs of $8,322. That’s an increase of company, stimulating conversa- look like this: about 4 percent in total cost. tions about fitness, health and 1. We eliminated 272 pounds of That being said, life is not about overall well being. carbon dioxide (which contrib- single-bottom-line management. Let’s utes to global warming). Biking in our Work Plan 2. We eliminated one pound of What happened three months hydrocarbon (which contributes after Barton’s project ended and our to smog). work cultural change? Yost and Pas- 3. We eliminated nine pounds of quini are both enthusiastically look- carbon monoxide (a poisonous ing towards the summer, and better gas) from being emitted. weather, to hop back aboard their 4. We (company and individuals) bikes. Pasquini told me that “he’ll saved 14 gallons of gasoline rep- bike to work so long as the jobsites resenting a savings of about $40. are within about 30 minutes of his home.” What about our job costs? First After completing Barton’s project, know that we covered the additional we’ve identified another co-worker travel costs created by the extra time – Maggie Bates – as our in-house involved. Barton paid nothing extra; cycling champion. Bates has taken we covered Pasquini and Yost’s cy- on the role of spreading the alterna- cling time. tive transportation virus throughout Just how much additional time our company. An avid cyclist herself, are we talking about? she often does a hybrid commute to

20 American Bicyclist

work, using a combination of bus and I think a typical client would easily accept bike. Bates has given presentations about the Smart Trips program to both a“ bike-oriented jobsite so“ long as they knew our design and production staffs. Also they weren’t paying an additional price to growing is our designers’ use of bikes incorporate their use. -Ellen Barton to make in-town trips to the building department, job sites and other errands. And we hope to further support our bikers by building a bicycle shelter at our office and showroom using natural building methods such as cob, straw bale or cord wood. Three years ago, in celebration of our 50-year company anniversary, we designed and built a covered, 22-bicycle bikeport at our local Community Food Co-op. An unintended conse- quence of this gift was that A-1 Build- ers and the Community Food Co-op was awarded the 2006 Great Feets Award (from the Bellingham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee) during Everybody Bike Month. Amidst the numerous benefits of Whatcom’s Smart Trips is a discount card they offer folks who have at- tained a certain number of alternative trips. A-1 Builders is joining the ranks of local businesses that offer these discounts. Ours will be a 50 percent reduction in a client’s first two-hour design session. A-1 Builders has also embraced a new cycling policy here. Although we don’t pay our folks for their commuting time by car, we are going to pay for their additional time spent cycling. So if a carpenter’s commute to a jobsite takes 15 minutes by car and 30 minutes by bike, we’ll pay them for the additional 15 minutes each way. This will hold true when our jobsites are located in Bellingham’s city limits; sites beyond this footprint may still be covered, at the discretion of management. What about Barton’s feedback, after the fact? From the client’s perspective, what did she feel? Given her tight

American Bicyclist 21 BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA WORKSTAND

building lot, more bikes led to less motor vehicles, and this was a good thing. And it sure didn’t hurt for our client to be a passionate bike enthu- siast. She offered our guys places to change their clothes as well as areas in which to store their bikes during the work day. Barton’s further input was to say that, “I think a typical client would easily accept a bike-oriented jobsite so long as they knew they weren’t paying an additional price to incorporate their use.” In-house we toyed with offering our clients an optional add-on price to support these this extra travel time, but we decided to absorb this extra cost on our own without asking our clients for this planning; carpool our staff to out-of- financial support. town jobs as much as practical; and Where will the infiltration of this minimize the number of dump runs. cycling virus end? It’s clearly infec- tious. We’ve been studying websites Go Green such as bikesatwork.com for work- In the future, when you select oriented cargo bikes. We’re reading a builder, go green. They are most “Cycling for Profit: How to Make a likely to entertain an idea such as in- Living With Your Bicycle” by Jim corporating cycling into their work. Gregory. We’re involved with Transi- They are most likely to be thinking tion Whatcom’s alternative trans- about life-cycle assessment: using portation working group, seeking to techniques that seek to optimize the identify our local leverage points to life expectancy of that which they lobby for more bike-centric roads. build! A further cultural shift within Perhaps our boldest message is our company is to think about cycling to think local and green in all aspects from the moment a client accepts a of your spending. Combining cycling proposal and says “Go!”We’ve even and contracting in the same breath added a line item entitled ‘discuss the is simply out of the box thinking. applicability of cycling’ to our project Where else in your world can you commencement checklist we call the promote alternative transportation Go Agenda. Right out of the starting by simply asking for it? gate we want to incorporate alterna- Ask for the change you want to tive transportation whenever possible. see in the world! You just might in- Yet even when cycling is imprac- fect someone with a wonderful virus. tical for a particular project, Barton’s job helped us focus on being diligent Rick Dubrow owns A-1 Builders in minimizing the number of vehicle (www.a1builders.ws) in Bellingham, trips no matter what vehicles are be- Wash. His team is committed to ing used: eliminate unnecessary ma- outstanding workmanship and green, terial and equipment runs by better sustainable designs and culture.

22 American Bicyclist BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA WORKSTAND

CHARLIE QUIGG WOULD BE THE first to tell you that building a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) is no easy task. He also would be the first to say that it is worth all the work. A mid-westerner from Rochester, Minn., Quigg knows what it takes to move bicycling forward: persistence, Cperseverance, creativity, dedication and, above all, patience. Quigg is an advocate, bike club member, Roch- ester Bicycle Advisory Committee Chair and League Cycling Instructor. He is also on the Minnesota Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota board. Has has been an integral part of the process for the City of Rochester to receive a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Com- munity award and for IBM Roches- ter to receive a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award. Throughout his years, Quigg has worn many different hats, yet has always been working towards the same result — a better bicycling community. A cycling advocate can really help a community and business in the BFC and BFB program. We were How to build a curious about what advice Quigg had for other bicycle advocates who are working to make their community more bicycle-friendly.

By Alison Dewey AB: What are the three most important things you would tell someone who is trying to work with their community to become a BFC?

BFC American Bicyclist 23 BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA WORKSTAND

To build a Bicycle CQ: Be persistent and patient and AB: How has the BPAC worked with

“Friendly Community, form partnerships. It takes time to get the city to implement the feedback stakeholders on board and anything from the BFC review? you must be persistent,“ involving public policy takes time to patient and form change. CQ: In many respects, it is the A cycling advocate needs to work routine operation of the committee. partnerships. with many and varied stakehold- We review the feedback and identify ers who have similar interests and which elements are already in the goals. Examples include: planning non-motorized element of our LRTP. department (notably transportation We ask what items we need to add to planners), public works, municipal the plan and what items are the low elected officials, healthy lifestyle pro- hanging fruit. We start with the items fessionals (local health department that can be implemented quickly, and medical practitioners), senior easily, and at low cost. We then work advocates, and neighborhood organi- with various community stake hold- zations. ers to make it happen.

AB: How did the Bike/Pedestrian Ad- AB: Do you have any advice on creat- visory Committee (BPAC) assist with ing a good BPAC? the BFC application process? CQ: The committee should represent CQ: BPAC was formed as a standing a cross-section of cycling interests committee under the auspices of the and demographics: commuters, road Rochester Olmsted County Council riders, trail riders, etc. Involve law of Governments (ROCOG) Policy enforcement, parks and recreation, Board. Typically, we set goals for the school districts, and other public committee on an annual basis. We agencies. Ensure a gender balance recognize the value of the BFC appli- and various ages from high school or cation process and use it as a means college through retirement age. to an end to making Rochester more bicycle-friendly. We set re-applying AB: What would you tell people who Charlie Quigg for a BFC as a committee goal. We are frustrated by the slow process of Rochester, Minnesota had a subcommittee work with the building a BFC? assigned staff transportation planner. CQ: This is a great question and a frustration that I hear from some community members. Building a BFC takes a plan that is implemented over time. Improvements don’t always happen overnight.

AB: How did getting the Honorable Mention in 2006 affect your efforts?

CQ: The feedback served as a roadmap and motivation for what we needed to do to go to the next level. We were also able to work with the League to get BPAC members certi-

24 American Bicyclist fied as LCIs to improve our bike helpful for internal coalition building. A cycling advocate education program. The principal manager was receptive

to the concept, and he reviewed the “needs to work with

AB: How has bicycling education application. He identified easy, imple- many and varied been expanded in Rochester? mentable items to make us more stakeholders “ who bicycle-friendly. CQ: Rochester community members have similar interests have led bike rodeos, assisted with AB: What role do you see businesses and goals. Safe Routes to School, brown bag playing in building a Bicycle Friendly sessions for employers and offered Community? a Community Ed course on how to bike to work. We have offered LCI CQ: There is a synergy between BFBs curriculum for adolescents and Traf- and the community in which they fic Skills 101. reside. Businesses can encourage and assist communities. AB: In what way is the BFB process different from that of the BFC? Alison Dewey is a Program Special- ist for the League’s Bicycle Friendly CQ: The process was similar to the Communities program. She is an avid BFC. From my time at IBM I knew tri-athlete and commutes to work by folks from the facilities, which was bike.

American Bicyclist 25 membernews AMERICAN

THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS The League of American Bicyclists, founded in 1880 as a sad farewell the League of American Wheelmen, promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. Gail Ryba Mike and Sharon Bayler The League represents the interests of the nation’s 57 A Cycling Love Story Turned Tragedy million bicyclists. With a current membership of 300,000 affiliated cyclists, including 25,000 individuals and 700 Dr. Gail Ryba, the League’s 2009 Written by the Spring City Cycling Club organizations, the League works to bring better bicycling recipient of the Phyllis Harmon Vol- to your community. Contact League officers, directors or unteer Award, died this May after a It’s a classic cycling love story. staff at League of American Bicyclists, 1612 K Street, NW, Mike Bayler was a member of Ala- Suite 800, Washington, DC 20006-2850, 202-822-1333; battle with cancer. [email protected], fax: 202-822-1334. Ryba, who had a Ph.D. in Chem- bama’s Spring City Cycling Club istry from California Institute of (SCCC) when Sharon Covington BOARD OF DIRECTORS Technology, co-founded the Sandia moved to town Harry Brull, Secretary, [email protected] Bicycle Commuters Group, founded and joined the Gary Brustin, [email protected] Albuquerque’s first bicycle advocacy club. They met, Amanda Eichstaedt, [email protected] group (Greater Albuquerque Spokes fell in love and Bill Hoffman, [email protected] People) that later became BikeABQ, married in 2003. Jeffrey Lynne, [email protected] was appointed by the mayor to serve Mike Bay- Mike Nix, [email protected] on the Greater Albuquerque Bicy- ler designed Rob Sadowsky, [email protected] cling Advisory Committee (GABAC), several SCCC John Siemiatkoski, [email protected] chaired GABAC in 1998, and served bike routes and Gail Spann, [email protected] as the Mayor’s Community Bicycle created the RAM Eric Swanson, [email protected], Treasurer (Ride-A-Metric) Program. He taught Hans van Naerssen, Chair, Liaison in 1999. [email protected] group riding skills, endurance training, Ryba also founded the Bicycle Tim Young, Vice-chair, [email protected] and bike maintenance. He was a dedi- Coalition of New Mexico (BCNM) in Phyllis Harmon, Director Emeritus, [email protected] 2001. After years of hard work, Ryba cated LCI and served in many SCCC was awarded a grant from officer positions, including president. STAFF New Mexico DOT Sharon Bayler was an outgoing, Andy Clarke – President Elizabeth Kiker – Vice President with matching grants athletic rider. She served on the SCCC Meghan Cahill – Director of Communications from the McCune board and the Huntsville Mayor’s Bi- Alison Dewey – BFC Program Specialist Foundation and REI cycle Advisory and Safety Committee. Walter Finch – Advocacy Director She was instrumental in initiating the Darren Flusche – Policy Analyst to be used for state- Lorna Green – Director of Operations wide bicycle educa- annual Mayor’s Bike Ride during Bike Katie Omberg – Membership and Events Assistant tion, which allowed the to Work Week. Bill Nesper – Director, BFC Program On April 10, Mike Bayler collapsed Jeff Peel – State and Local Advocacy Coordinator BCNM to hire New Mexico’s Carly Sieff – BFA Program Assistant first Bicycle Education Coordinator. while riding with friends and died in- Sharon Thorne – Administrative Assistant She served as the Energy Issues Chair stantly of cardiac arrest. Sharon Bayler Preston Tyree – Education Director for the Rio Grande Chapter of the lost her soul mate, and the SCCC lost a Scott Williams – Membership Director Sierra Club and Executive Director of dear friend. AMERICAN BICYCLIST MAGAZINE the New Mexico Coalition for Clean One month later, Sharon Bayler Editor: Meghan Cahill and Affordable Energy. Ryba was a was struck from behind by a pickup Art Director: Studio D Design Editor Emeritus: Phyllis W. Harmon League Cycling Instructor (LCI), and truck while on a club ride. She died at had been a bicycle commuter since the scene of severe injuries. American Bicyclist magazine (ISSN 0747-0371) is published six Mike and Sharon Bayler loved to times yearly by the League of American Bicyclists, Inc. ©2010 1984. League of American Bicyclists. Reproduction in whole or in cycle and were loved by all. Sadly, each part without permission is prohibited. Article queries should died doing what they loved – riding be addressed to [email protected]. Your submission of manuscripts, photographs, or artwork, is your warranty that the their bikes with friends. It was not for material in no way infringes on the rights of others and that the lack of good bicycling skills or safety material may be published without additional approval. Opinions expressed by writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect measures – it was simply a cruel twist the policies of the League. of fate.

26 American Bicyclist givinglist [donations from March - April 2010]

Kenneth Kral Richard Rotert Amy Kristoff Kevin Ruane thankyouthankyouthankyou On this page we acknowledge Rick Kuhn Ronald Ruen all the individuals who have contributed to the League between Joe Lantagne Robert Ryskamp March 2010 and April 2010. Your gifts help provide educational tools Marvin Laurence Howard Sarasohn Jesse Lazarus David Scarbro to national, state and city leaders; law enforcement; motorists and Jennifer Leeman James & Patricia Schierer bicyclists; teachers and students; and parents and children. Above all, Steve & Judy Frank Schipper yo2u inspire us to continue to reach for new and better ways to advo- Legenhausen Pauline Schneider cate on behalf of bicyclists and promote our shared passion. We are Darla Letourneau Peter Schoch grateful for your support. Visit bikeleague.org to donate. David B. Leventhal Elliot Schwartz Harry Lichtbach Ethan Seidel Jo Ann Linrud Brian Shah Todd Logan Alfred Shell Barron Lozano Richard Slaymaker The Millennium Club William Branstrup Terrence Flanagan Chuck Malagodi Greg Smith ($1,000 - $2,499) Christopher Brennick Michael Flueckiger Kathleen Malone Frank & Laura Smith Clubs William Brewster John Flynn Tom Mather Gary Steen Baltimore Bicycling Club Tom Britven Fred & Pam Freed Mike McKillip Steven Steuck Randall Brodersen Lynn Gemeinhart Greg McPheeters Galen Stevens Individuals Tony Bruzzese Edward Gent Edward John Meisse Jr. Bruce Strandtmann David Berning Leslie Bullock Andrew Gill Kirsti Mikel Ian Stude Kristen H. Scheller & Richard Burg Dan Goese Al Miller Susan Styer Chris Richards Elizabeth Burke David Goldfarb Lawrence Moore Ralph Subbiondo W. Preston Tyree Donald Burnett Daniel Goldschmidt Elizabeth Moorehead Paul Taylor Robert Burpee Janet Goldstein Erin Mountz Larry Tennenbaum The Century Club Susan Bussmann Catherine Goodrum Ray & Carolyn Mulcahy Elaine Tietz ($100 - $999) Joseph Calandra Allen Gown Teri Newsom Jim Tobias Clubs John Chamberlain Glen Grant Michael Nikula Maureen Townsend East Carolina Velo Jaynan Chancellor Sarah Grant John Nixon Randall Traweek Cycling Club Sandy Chapman Thomas Granvold Cynthia Nogar Carol Tremble Hancock Handlebars Hung-Ru Chu Mike Greehan Gene Oh Rebecca Truszkowski Bicycle Club Ellen Clegg Dirk Greeley Daniel Okeefe Stanton & Susie Truxillo Naperville Bicycle Club Richard Cohen Richard Griffith Raymon Okoniewski Lee Venteicher Reston Bike Club Anthony Colarossi John Guinn Samantha Ollinger James Vincent Westerville Bicycle Club David Cole Walter Gusdorf Peter Olsen David & Susan Wakefield Wheeling Wheelmen Lauren Cooper Gary & Jan Guttormsen Susan Otcenas Robert Ward Bicycle Club John Crawford Rodney Hagen Gina Overshiner Loyle Washam John Creekmoore J. Haltiwanger Michael Pagano Gail Wellenkamp Individuals Karen Crowley Charles Harris Walter & Susan Page Kim & Pam Wennerberg Ellen Aagaard Renee Dallas Patricia Hart John Palmer Capt. C. S. Wetherell Cleve Ard Don Decook Gene Hathaway Mike Palmer Mark Wheeler Deborah Bacal Kenneth Dennis Thomas Hauser John Pardee Allen Whitmore Stuart Bair Joel Dice Cheryl Herman Joel Parks Bobby Willett William Barbour Mark Dieter Don Hinkle Michael Patterson Steve & Pamela Williams Malcolm Bastrom Blair Dillaway Robert Hoel Jeffrey Paul Kevin Womac Robert Bauer Charles & Dorothy Stuart Hoffman George Pearson Ira Yermish David Beirne Downing James Hopper Michael Peck Tim Young Robert Bennett Chance Downs Dale Hoxie Nick Pittman Greg Zackowski Greg Binder Bruce Drees Eileen Hyatt Gonzalo Ponce Philip Zitello Elizabeth Blanchard Joshua Duggan Helen Iams Donald Porada W Bloxom Bill Dussler Terry Johannesen Steve Rankin Life & Life Family Tim Blumenthal R. Duval Dale Johnson Jim Register Members Charles Bond Jim Dyreby Joel Johnson Bill Reynolds Melford Garvin Melody Boone Hugh Elliott Larry Johnson James Riehle Loretta & William Gase Sue Bordwell Mike Ellis Tom Kelly David Ristom Harry Hugel Donald Bost Thom Ely Gina Kenny Carol Roberts Gregory J. Scheller Michael Braaton Tim Farmer Robert C. Kirk John Rodecker Thomas Tilque Jeffrey Braff Richard Ferguson Rachel Knox Stuart Ross

American Bicyclist 27 quickstop [before you hit the road] royal+ + =

rideON JUNE 4, AN ECLECTIC GROUP OF BICYCLE advocates rode together down Pennsylvania Avenue to check out the new bike lanes, celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Danish Embassy and to get the word out about the impor- tance of getting kids on bikes. The League hosted the ride with Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik André Henrik Christian, Ambassador of Denmark Friis Arne Petersen, 2 and special guests including two-time NBA all-star Caron Butler and Congressmen Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Tom OPetri (R-WI). In addition to riding around D.C., the League also announced our partnership with Butler, the founder of the Caron Butler Bike Brigade which has given more than 2,500 bikes to kids in need. We will work to expand the Bike Brigade nationwide, while providing bike safety education using the League’s kid curriculum. The event drew tons of press coverage for the League 3 and intrigued reporters. The blogosphere was abuzz for a week with reasons why the unique bunch was on a bike ride together. Well, the answer is simple ... you can have different jobs, backgrounds, and citizenships but the bicycle is something we all share.

1. The Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik André Henrik Christian (right) with Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) 2. Two-time NBA all-star and League partner Caron Butler 3. Andy Clarke of the League (right) with the Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik André Henrik Christian 4 4. Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) (left) Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI)

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