Iowa Bike Blog

Iowa Bicycle Coalition Continues Year-End Membership Drive

2011-12-19T14:57:00.000-08:00

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is continuing efforts to recruit members to join their ranks. The organization is a statewide non profit that works to build bicycle traffic. The organization is currently at 1400 members and looking to grow substantially in 2012.

Because of the 52-degree weather this weekend, it isn't hard to see the popularity of bicycling is growing. Bicyclists were all over the trails and roads enjoying the unusually warm temps and sand-free roads.

A cold and wintery spell is likely to set into Iowa, but that won't stop the efforts of some bicyclists. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is holding a contest at www.IowaGoesByBicycle.com where you can win prizes for riding your bicycle during December.

Two of the biggest winter events will be coming soon. The Iowa Bicycle Summit and RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party will be held on January 27 & 28. Find out more information at www.iowabicyclecoalition.org.

County seeks public input on latest draft of Bicycling and Multi-Use Trails Plan

2011-12-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

County seeks public input on latest draft of Bicycling and Multi-Use Trails Plan: Johnson County’s plan for the future quality and quantity of the county’s trails is nearing the adoption of an updated draft after six years.

Another Delay: Will There Ever Be a New Reauthorization?

2011-12-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

Another Delay: Will There Ever Be a New Reauthorization?:

The Congressional calendar for January leaves little time to debate a new transportation proposal. Source: Majority Leader's office

SAFETEA-LU has been extended eight times over more than two years. Legislators on both sides are tired of delays and see the need for a new reauthorization bill that sets new policy and does something about the Highway Trust Fund before it runs clean out of cash.

But House Transportation Committee Chair John Mica said yesterday the bill wouldn’t be introduced until January, which really means February, given the way the Congressional calendar works. The House bill, which seeks to fund infrastructure development with oil drilling revenues doesn’t have a chance of making it past a Democratic Senate and President anyway. (And even if it did, experts say the revenues would be too low and too slow in coming to have a chance of actually funding the transportation program.)

Still, it would have been good to at least have that conversation before the end of the year, to give lawmakers a fighting chance of coming up with something else before the current bill extension expires March 31.

Will two months be enough to debate and pass a new transportation bill? Experts are skeptical. “It appears the nation is on course to witness yet another band-aid extension of the last reauthorization,” said Michael Surusco, senior investigator at Taxpayers for Common Sense. “This is no way to run the nation’s surface transportation program.”

Sadly, that’s no surprise for many transportation experts who’ve grown jaded with the process of waiting for a new bill. In a recent unscientific poll, Politico reporter Adam Snider asked transportation experts when they thought a new reauthorization bill would actually pass. Two-thirds expected another extension would be necessary after March 31. And that was a month ago, when prospects for a bill were looking considerably brighter.

Waiting in the wings to save this whole process from utter failure, of course, is the Senate bill. There’s room for disappointment in the bill and its funding gap hasn’t yet been closed, but it’s it has been tested on the partisan battlefield and emerged unscathed, with a unanimous yes vote in the EPW Committee. Could that be the default option that saves us from a ninth extension come March?

Creek Naming Rights Being Auctioned On eBay

2011-11-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

Creek Naming Rights Being Auctioned On eBay: The Kalona City Council hopes to raise money for sidewalks by auctioning off naming rights to a local creek.

Council will hold hearing on amendment to bike ordinance - Decorah Journal

2011-11-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

Council will hold hearing on amendment to bike ordinance - Decorah Journal:

Council will hold hearing on amendment to bike ordinance
Decorah Journal
In September, Benji Nichols of Decorah said the Iowa Bicycle Coalition described Decorah's existing ordinance as "wacky." It allows fines of up to $500 and imprisonment of up to 30 days for violations of the bike code. Mayor Don Arendt agreed the city ...

and more »

Give Thanks for Bike-Ped Advocacy- Nominate a Leader for an Alliance Award!

2011-11-23T05:32:00.000-08:00

Give Thanks for Bike-Ped Advocacy- Nominate a Leader for an Alliance Award!:

As 2011 draws to a close, many of us are reflecting on the progress we’ve made this year. That progress is driven by individual leaders, advocacy organizations and business supporters working to transform their communities into better places to walk and bike. Now is the time to show your gratitude for those who work so tirelessly to make our streets safer and more accessible for all.

The Alliance is now accepting nominations for our annual, national Advocacy Awards. Established in 2009, our awards program honors those who show exceptional leadership in advancing the bicycle and pedestrian movement. Categories for 2012 include:

Advocate of the Year
Advocacy Organization of the Year
Business Advocate of the Year
Winning Campaign of the Year
Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm Award

Anyone can make a nomination — you don’t have to be part of an Alliance member organization — and the quick, easy, online submission form takes just a few minutes.

Do you know someone who deserves national recognition for his or her efforts? Did your local advocacy organization start or win an innovative or high-impact campaign this year? What corporate or business champions have invested in better biking and walking in your community? If you’re like me, a dozen people and a handful of groups just popped into your head. Show your appreciation by taking just a few moments to nominate them for an Advocacy Award.

Nominations are evaluated by Alliance staff, board and advocacy organization representatives, and the winners get some high-profile recognition. Each year, we host our Advocacy Awards reception on the first night of the National Bike Summit — and a couple hundred advocacy and industry leaders turn out for the big announcement.

Fionnuala Quinn, the recipient of an advocacy award in 2011 on behalf of the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (pictured, left) said: “Much of the work that advocates do is behind the scenes, so it was very unexpected but really appreciated to get recognition for our project. When we had conceived of the project, we had hoped that the end result would be a tool that could be used by other advocates working with public agencies, but it ended up turning into much more for us. To then receive public recognition gave us a boost in continuing our on-going work as we try to improve facilities and conditions for cyclists in our area. Receiving the recognition also allowed us to connect with many more people working in other communities to achieve the same goals and allowed us to exchange ideas and learn from their work too. We are grateful for being part of that supportive network.”

Honor someone in your community: Nominations will be accepted until December 18. To submit your nomination, click here.

Supercommittee failure to reach agreement could lead to deeper transportation cuts

2011-11-22T05:35:00.000-08:00

Supercommittee failure to reach agreement could lead to deeper transportation cuts:

The so-called deficit supercommittee, a bipartisan group of 12 lawmakers tasked with agreeing to $1.2 billion in spending cuts, was supposed to unveil its recommendations this week for an up-or-down vote in Congress.

But the group, established in a down-to-the-wire debt ceiling deal between President Obama and Congressional Republicans this past summer, looks like it will have nothing to offer. The divide between the two parties, particularly over high-end tax rates, appears irreconcilable.

But the consequences for failure go beyond just another black eye for an unpopular Congress. When the supercommittee was created, it came with a “trigger” of automatic cuts if members failed to come to an agreement. A portion of that $1.2 billion trigger will target defense and Medicare reimbursements, but a significant chunk encompasses yet-to-be identified discretionary spending.

That means the budget for the U.S. Department of Transportation, which just emerged from a tough battle over 2012 funding levels, is back on the chopping block.

Last week, the House and Senate passed and President Obama signed a “minibus” budget for 2012 that largely kept funding for transit, Amtrak and TIGER grants intact, while zeroing out high-speed rail. Many of these same programs would likely be subject to further cuts under a trigger scenario, though the new cuts would not materialize until the 2013 calendar year.

The six Republicans and six Democrats on the supercommittee — three of each party from the House and Senate, respectively — technically have until Wednesday to make recommendations, but in order for Congress to have a chance to vote and meet disclosure terms, they needed to send their proposal to the Congressional Budget Office Monday evening for scoring.

That deadline has come and gone.

Under a failure scenario, it would fall to members of the House and Senate appropriations committees to draft specific cuts, likely a contentious outcome given split party control. There is also the possibility that discretionary spending like USDOT programs could take an even larger hit if members follow through with plans to reverse the trigger-outlined cuts to defense, a politically-sensitive area for Republicans and Democrats alike. (President Obama has signaled his intent to veto any attempts to undo the automatically-triggered cuts that were part of the committee’s creation.)

Members could also vote to eliminate the trigger all-together, but that seems less likely given that House Republicans have emphasized spending cuts since taking the majority this year.

How to Bike On Black Ice

2011-11-18T21:34:00.000-08:00

How to Bike On Black Ice:

Recently, we provided a few tips for effectively biking through wet leaves, which have just about saturated Portland’s streets. With temperatures expected to dip below freezing soon, now is the time to prepare for safe winter bicycling and icy conditions ahead.

Black ice refers to a thin coating of glazed ice on a surface. It’s virtually transparent on asphalt, making it practically invisible to bicyclists, but just as slippery as regular ice.

Keep reading for tips to avoid being caught by surprise on slick roads.

Get your bike ready for ice.

Lower tire pressure to the lowest recommended psi.

Lower your saddle slightly to lower your center of gravity. (It’s also easier to get your feet down flat on the road should you suddenly need to.)

Plan your route ahead of time. Keep in mind: side streets might not be treated for snow or ice.

Be aware of how ice affects different surfaces.

Streets are most slick when it first begins to rain or snow.

Metal, including manhole covers and bridges, and painted surfaces can be especially slick.

Bridges and overpasses can freeze more easily and take longer to thaw than regular roadways.

Know what to do when you encounter ice.

Slowing down may not always be the safest option. Speed provides momentum, and momentum keeps a bicycle upright. As always, use your best judgment.

Take turns much more gradually, and don’t lean into turns as much as you normally would. Try to keep the bike as upright as possible.

Avoid sudden changes of direction and maintain a smooth pedaling action.

Give yourself longer stopping distances, and keep a firmer grip on your handlebars.

Lay off the front brake. On ice, you don’t want to lose any of your front wheel’s traction — loss of control at the front is going to be sudden and very hard to recover from.

Mica Warns Boxer on Highway Trust Fund; House Plans Hearing on “Drill Bill”

2011-11-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

Mica Warns Boxer on Highway Trust Fund; House Plans Hearing on “Drill Bill”:

“I want to congratulate you on your Committee’s approval of the ‘Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” begins House Transportation Committee Chair John Mica’s letter yesterday to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

Rep. John Mica says Boxer's bill will bankrupt the Highway Trust Fund. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

From there, the letter changes tone:

However, I am concerned that the Senate two-year proposal does not address the fundamental problem of the long-term insolvency of our Highway Trust Fund. Your proposal will essentially bankrupt the Highway Trust Fund and make it impossible to provide any funding for fiscal year 2014.

The letter continues the debate between Mica and Boxer over how to supplement revenue from the national gas tax to fund transportation spending. It’s Mica’s response to a letter he received from Boxer three weeks ago, in which she questioned whether or not his plan truly maintained current funding levels.

Mica agrees with Boxer that current funding levels should be maintained (though her bill calls for current spending plus inflation, which Mica hasn’t bought into yet). But he has a problem with the fact that the Senate hasn’t identified the new sources of revenue necessary to do that. (He says he’s working on that himself.)

Mica attached a CBO report showing Highway Trust Fund deficits beginning in 2014 under Boxer’s scenario. Boxer has said that with the additional $12 billion from some other, yet-unidentified source, her bill will keep the HTF afloat. Current levels of spending, funded only with Trust Fund receipts, would start creating deficits even sooner – the Highway Account would run into red ink this fiscal year and the Transit Account in the next fiscal year.

EPW committee staff did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Mica’s letter, but it stands to reason that the Senate proposal doesn’t address 2014, since it’s a two-year bill.

So what’s Mica’s solution to the funding predicament? He hasn’t publicly embraced the stated GOP path toward transportation solvency — capturing revenue from fossil fuel extraction — but neither has he spoken out against the idea of expanding oil drilling to fund infrastructure.

That plan is about to move forward another step in the House. When House Speaker John Boehner said the House would vote soon on a bill to expanding energy production, Streetsblog wondered if he was referring to one of the bills that have already been introduced, and we couldn’t get the answer out of anyone.

Then, lo, Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) announced he was introducing a third drilling-for-infrastructure bill: the American-Made Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act. Stivers links concerns about “rising energy costs, high unemployment and our aging infrastructure” and proposes solving them by opening up “untapped oil resources in the Outer Continental Shelf that will raise revenue from new off-shore drilling leases and provide a new dedicated source of revenue to fund infrastructure projects.” For more detail, check out the bill language here [PDF].

The House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources is holding a hearing on that bill Friday morning, followed that afternoon with a hearing on the virtues of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (though not necessarily for infrastructure – that’s just for the fun of it).

Biking and Walking Organizations Respond to Senate Transportation Bill (MAP‐21)

2011-11-08T20:58:00.000-08:00

Biking and Walking Organizations Respond to Senate Transportation Bill (MAP‐21):

The America Bikes coalition — representing the nation’s leading bicycling and walking groups — today expressed their appreciation for the continued inclusion of funding opportunities for biking and walking in MAP‐21.

America Bikes remains deeply concerned, however, that bicycling and walking programs suffer disproportionate cuts in funding in the new bill, and that significant additional activities are made eligible for these limited funds. We remain committed to working with the EPW Committee and full Senate to resolve these issues, especially in the light of the Senate’s continued, strong bi‐partisan support for bicycle and pedestrian funding as shown in several recent votes on the Senate floor.

The process of honoring the public’s strong support for these programs begins immediately with amendments that have been introduced already by Senate supporters of dedicated funding for non‐motorized transportation.
Specific concerns include:

2. An expanded list of eligible activities are added to this smaller funding pot, including such big‐ticket items as NEPA compliance and land acquisition for wetland mitigation; and

3. The proposed bill effectively allows states to completely opt out of the program and would allow all this money to be redirected to highway construction.

The America Bikes coalition calls on the leaders of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to restore dedicated funding for bicycling and walking in MAP‐21 and remove the opt‐out provision that would encourage States to eliminate funding for these two modes altogether.

When America Bikes, America Benefits

From San Francisco to Bentonville, Arkansas, and from Oklahoma City to New York City, communities are increasingly investing in bicycling and walking infrastructure and programs to support popular, healthy and cost‐effective transportation. These investments — made possible by dedicated federal transportation dollars — are working:

Commuting trips by bike have increased nationwide by more than 40% since 2000; bicycling and walking now account for 12% of all trips in the United States.
Thousands of Safe Routes to School programs are reducing congestion and improving safety in communities across the country.
Recreational trails are heavily used and provide crucial economic benefits, especially in rural communities.

A transportation bill designed to efficiently move America in this new century should continue to include dedicated funding to create safe and accessible places for people to bike and walk. Since 2005, a total of just 1.5 percent of annual federal transportation funding has been devoted to supporting these activities. Biking and walking not only comprise more than 12 percent of all trips but also account for 14% of annual traffic fatalities.

Dedicated funding for bike/ped projects – one or two cents of every dollar – is a time‐tested, popular, and effective approach to building a truly multi‐modal national transportation system that offers choice, safety and access for all. Increasing the safety and use of non‐motorized transportation reduces congestion, saves lives and money, protects the environment…and creates more jobs per million dollars of investment than highway‐only projects: exactly what MAP‐21 should be trying to do.

Dedicated funding for bicycling and walking enjoys broad support at all levels of Government. Less than one week ago, 60 Senators voted in bi‐partisan support of preserving the Transportation Enhancement program – the third such vote in support of the program this year. At the state level, transportation enhancement, safe routes to school and recreational trails programs typically receive at least three times more requests for funding than is available. In May, a survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors showed solid support among Mayors for funding of bicycling and walking infrastructure.

Click here to download the statement as a PDF.

America Bikes is a coalition of leaders from the bicycle community advocating positive outcomes for bicycling in the federal transportation bill.

Senator Paul’s Anti-Bike Amendment Fails — 60 Senators voted against it

2011-11-01T18:31:00.000-07:00

Senator Paul’s Anti-Bike Amendment Fails — 60 Senators voted against it:

Thanks to all of you who contacted your Senators, Senator Rand Paul’s (R-KY) amendment that would have diverted Transportation Enhancement funds to bridge repairs, was soundly defeated. Transportation Enhancements are a key source of funding for bicycling and walking infrastructure. The amendment would not have made a significant impact on the state of repair of bridges, but would have drastically impacted active transportation investments. Sixty Senators voted against the measure.

While Sen. Paul once again railed against “squirrel sanctuaries,” as a possible use of Enhancement funds, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) pointed out that Paul’s amendment would actually hinder bridge repair in certain instances. “The amendment prevents a bridge from being fixed if it is a historic bridge,” Boxer said. “There are thousands of those in this country, including the Brooklyn Bridge.”

Senator Rand Paul's anti-bike amendment failed by a vote of 38 to 60.

This was the third time in two months that the Senate has voted to protect Transportation Enhancements. As long as the attacks keep coming, we’ll keep fighting them. Thank you to the thousands of people who sent action alerts to your Senators. We need to keep reminding them that these are popular, critical, and beneficial transportation projects. So far, they’re hearing us. Now is a good time to thank them.

Here is how the Senators voted (courtesy of www.Senate.gov, hat-tip Eric Rogers):

YEAs —38
Ayotte (R-NH) Barrasso (R-WY) Blunt (R-MO) Boozman (R-AR) Chambliss (R-GA) Coats (R-IN) Coburn (R-OK) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC)	Grassley (R-IA) Hatch (R-UT) Heller (R-NV) Hoeven (R-ND) Hutchison (R-TX) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) Johnson (R-WI) Kyl (R-AZ) Lee (R-UT) Lugar (R-IN) McConnell (R-KY) Moran (R-KS)	Murkowski (R-AK) Paul (R-KY) Portman (R-OH) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Rubio (R-FL) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Thune (R-SD) Toomey (R-PA) Vitter (R-LA) Wicker (R-MS)

NAYs —60
Akaka (D-HI) Alexander (R-TN) Baucus (D-MT) Begich (D-AK) Bennet (D-CO) Bingaman (D-NM) Blumenthal (D-CT) Boxer (D-CA) Brown (D-OH) Brown (R-MA) Cantwell (D-WA) Cardin (D-MD) Carper (D-DE) Casey (D-PA) Cochran (R-MS) Collins (R-ME) Conrad (D-ND) Coons (D-DE) Durbin (D-IL) Feinstein (D-CA)	Franken (D-MN) Gillibrand (D-NY) Hagan (D-NC) Harkin (D-IA) Inhofe (R-OK) Inouye (D-HI) Johnson (D-SD) Kerry (D-MA) Kirk (R-IL) Klobuchar (D-MN) Kohl (D-WI) Landrieu (D-LA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) Lieberman (ID-CT) Manchin (D-WV) McCaskill (D-MO) Menendez (D-NJ) Merkley (D-OR)	Mikulski (D-MD) Murray (D-WA) Nelson (D-FL) Nelson (D-NE) Pryor (D-AR) Reed (D-RI) Reid (D-NV) Rockefeller (D-WV) Sanders (I-VT) Schumer (D-NY) Shaheen (D-NH) Snowe (R-ME) Stabenow (D-MI) Tester (D-MT) Udall (D-CO) Udall (D-NM) Warner (D-VA) Webb (D-VA) Whitehouse (D-RI) Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting – 2
Burr (R-NC)	McCain (R-AZ)

Darren Flusche
League Policy Analyst

Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.

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2011-10-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

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Police: Bicycle Helmet Saves Boy

2011-10-10T05:42:00.000-07:00

Police: Bicycle Helmet Saves Boy: Urbandale authorities said a 4-year-old boy was saved by his bicycle helmet when he was struck by a vehicle that had been knocked into neutral by a toddler inside.

Let’s Make Iowa the Healthiest State in the Nation

2011-10-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Let’s Make Iowa the Healthiest State in the Nation:

On Friday, October 7, 2011, at noon, Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative is being kicked off by walking one kilometer together as a state. Wherever you are – work, school, home, church – take about 12 minutes out of your day to go on a quick one kilometer (0.62 miles) walk with friends, family, neighbors or co-workers.

Click here to join the 168,602 Iowans who have already pledged to walk together. Take the pledge and walk this Friday! To learn more about the Healthiest State Initiative visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.

Walk to School Day!

2011-10-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is the scene at Garner Elementary in North Liberty. These kids and parents made a major change and walked to school today. It was estimated that 300 of the 420 kids choose walking and bicycling. And, they had fun!

New Trail To Connect 15 Iowa Towns - Video - KCCI Des Moines

2011-09-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

New Trail To Connect 15 Iowa Towns - Video - KCCI Des Moines

Walk to school day set for next week - Radio Iowa

2011-09-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

Walk to school day set for next week - Radio Iowa:

Walk to school day set for next week
Radio Iowa
Nick Sobocinski, director of the Safe Routes to School program at the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, says the leaders of 46 schools in 29 Iowa cities have signed on for the event. “Every state in the country and 40 countries around the world will be ...

and more »

2011-09-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

I get to do a little riding this weekend. It is the World Capital of Trails Bike Ride in Waterloo, Iowa. We are doing about 40-50 miles each day and taking the time to enjoy the community that we are in.

We will be hitting the Waterloo Center for the Arts, Grout Museum, Dan Gable Museum, Ice House Museum, John Deere Tractor Works, and Hansen Dairy Farms. All while riding bicycles and enjoying great company.

Our ride is going to take us through George Wyth Park, Big Woods Lake, and the Black Hawk County Greenbelt. In addition, we will ride the Cedar Valley Nature Trail - recently opened after the 2008 floods damaged a bridge.

Look forward to more reports here!

The Transportation Bill Passes 92-6

2011-09-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

The Transportation Bill Passes 92-6:

Moments ago, the Senate passed a clean extension on the Transportation Bill with a large margin of 92-6. This means that all current transportation funding and programs will continue to March 31, 2012 — the date the extension expires. During this time we will have much work to do to ensure that bicycling is included in either a long term transportation bill or another extension. The National Bike Summit conveniently takes place on March 20-22 — our final opportunity to tell our representatives that we need bicycling in the transportation bill.

Votes are not made public until 20 minutes after passage of bills but here is the Senate link to keep checking.

Thanks to all of you for taking part in this very important action alert; telling your senators that “I bike. I vote.”; and spreading the word in your clubs and stores, with your colleagues, and on your social media sites. All of your calls and e-mails made the difference.

Meghan Cahill
League Director of Communications

Cahill joined the League in December 2008 and has a BA in Media Communications with a concentration in Italian Studies from the College of Charleston.

Coburn puts hold on Transportation Bill; bike-unfriendly amendment expected soon

2011-09-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Coburn puts hold on Transportation Bill; bike-unfriendly amendment expected soon:

Late yesterday afternoon Senator Coburn spoke on the Senate floor demanding that Transportation Enhancements be stripped from the Extension of the Surface Transportation bill, and that he is willing to shut down transportation in order to do it. (See our previous post on this subject for background.)

Sadly, Mr. Coburn’s demands are based on a misrepresentation of the facts about the Transportation Enhancement program, and a serious misunderstanding of the role bicycling and walking play in our nation’s transportation system. Mr. Coburn described transportation enhancements as not having anything to do with safety, or true transportation.

First of all The Transportation Enhancements program is 1.5% percent of the overall transportation program, not 10% as Mr. Coburn would have us believe.

Secondly – Mr. Coburn consistently highlights museums as primary examples of the projects that are funded by TE to try and make his case that TE has nothing to do with Transportation. The reality is that roughly one half (55%) of the 1.5% is usually spent on bicycling and walking infrastructure-such as sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes. Bicycling and walking trips make up 12% of all trips in the United States; bicyclists and pedestrians comprise 14% of all fatal crash victims on our nation’s roads – and yet these two modes of transportation receive barely more than 1% of Federal transportation investment. Active transportation is growing in popularity and significance in communities throughout the nation-and this welcome trend is due in part to the investment of Federal transportation funds in bicycling and walking infrastructure.

Thirdly – TE program has very much to do with safety. As mentioned previously, fourteen percent of roadway fatalities are bike riders and pedestrians- two-thirds of which occur on Federal aid Highways. While roadway fatalities have been decreasing- the percentage of fatalities that are bicyclists and pedestrians has increased. Building biking and walking infrastructure saves lives.

The real shame is that by holding up passage of a clean extension of the transportation bill, which Congress had already agreed to pass, Senator Coburn will keep 1.8 million people from working on highway construction projects for another six months.

We understand the Senate leadership has offered Mr. Coburn a chance to offer his amendment for a vote on the floor and although Mr. Coburn has not done so yet, we expect that that will be the case.

We can only hope the Mr. Coburn either withdraws his hold on the extension or allows the Senate to vote on his amendment. The bill extending transportation funding for the next six months is not the legislative vehicle to pass long term national transportation policy. That responsibility lies with the committees of jurisdiction and they should be afforded the opportunity to work out the details on what our nation’s transportation policy will be.

The League urges Congress to pass a clean extension to the transportation bill, and support continued dedicated funding for bicycling and walking programs. If you have not had an opportunity to contact your Senator yet please visit the League’s advocacy center today to do so. This maybe our last chance to make sure we have sufficient votes to beat back the Coburn amendment.

The League is also sending this message to the press: Investing in Transportation Infrastructure for All – A Statement from the America Bikes Coalition

~Walter Finch
Director of Advocacy, League of American Bicyclists

Finch joined the League in 2006 and has more than 20 years of experience in the transportation industry. He worked as a government relations associate with G.S. Proctor & Associates, served as the chief of staff for a member of Maryland’s House of Delegates, and worked at the U.S. Department of Transportation as the Special Assistant, Office of the Secretary, Office of Intermodalism.

Iowa celebs sign on to Healthiest State Initiatives

2011-09-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

Iowa celebs sign on to Healthiest State Initiatives: Eighteen celebrities with Iowa ties have banded together to create two public service announcements for television, promoting the Oct. 7 Start Somewhere Walk, a 1-kilometer walk meant to kick off a new statewide health initiative.

Copper Creek Triathlon set for Sunday morning

2011-06-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

Copper Creek Triathlon set for Sunday morning: "Athletes from around the state will descend on Pleasant Hill Sunday morning."

Charity donates bikes, equipment

2011-06-24T05:16:00.000-07:00

Charity donates bikes, equipment: "Variety - the Children's Charity will distribute bikes, bike helmets and bike locks to 97 children."

Cycling: What’s Holding Women Back?

2011-06-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

Cycling: What’s Holding Women Back?: "

The question of why more women aren’t cycling is a subject that could probably fill volumes. But it doesn’t get enough play on blogs of this type.

What stops more women from cycling? Photo: Grist

So I was glad to see Elly Blue at Network blog Grist take on this big question in a recent post. From Blue’s perspective, discussion of women and cycling has focused too intently on fear and fashion:

Before we commit to blaming women’s transportation practices on our timidity and vanity, I think it’s worth looking at some other potential factors. Like the economy.

She notes that women are more likely to be poor than men, which could put cycling gear out of reach. She also seizes on the fact that women continue to handle a disproportionate share of domestic duties.

Bicycling takes time. And this is something that, by the numbers, women have less of than men. In 2004, employed women reported an average of one more hour of housework per day than their employed male counterparts.

These kinds of responsibilities add up to more complicated transportation needs. Women make more trips than men, with diverse kinds of trips chained together. And twice as many trips as men’s are at the service of passengers — that is to say, the school drop-off, soccer practice, and the play date wedged in there between the grocery run and the commute to work.

Blue concludes that in order for more women to take part in cycling, they need better roads, cargo bikes and some patience from our less encumbered biking counterparts. These are good points.

But I wanted to say, in my experience, I think the problem is broader, and harder to pinpoint. Additional family responsibilities haven’t been a burden for me as a female cyclist, and neither have financial issues. That strengthens Blue’s point, on one hand; I continue to cycle.

On the other hand, my experience as a female cyclist hasn’t been without obstacles. In addition to poor infrastructure and weak legal protections that afflict men and women cyclists alike, I would say the biggest issue I have had to overcome is a sense of incredulity from family members, coworkers and friends.

My mom worries — and she worries a lot more, I think, than if I were a 28-year-old man. I once had a boss order me, in all seriousness, not to bike on busy streets. I agreed with her just to set her mind at ease, even though I had no plans to change my transportation habits. She was well-meaning. Just a little old-fashioned.

None of this has stopped me from biking. But I am a very strong-willed person who isn’t easily steered by societal norms. Not every woman is that way.

I think the problem for a lot of women is that on some societal level, bicycling is at odds with many of our ideals about what it means to be feminine. I would argue that the fashion explanation shouldn’t be discounted. There is a certain percentage of women who just aren’t going to leave the house in the morning and enter a business setting without a pair of high heels. And it’s not because these women are vain; they are adhering to a social norm. And the business world, and society in general, can be harsh to women who don’t conform.

The high heeled shoe is a symbol of femininity in America. And the fact that they prevent women from being physically active isn’t an accident. They help embody this aspect of traditional femininity: women aren’t supposed to be physically active, at least in a public setting.

Women are encouraged in explicit and subtle ways to aspire to traditionally feminine roles. Unfortunately, cycling just isn’t one of them. Powerful social norms, again, dictate that women shouldn’t make themselves spectacles on crowded streets, especially while ducking the norm and riding a bike — without high heels and while possibly a little sweaty.

I agree with Elly that women need better infrastructure, cargo bikes and more help from their male partners. But I think if cycling is to become truly mainstream, what women need more is Jessica Alba on a commuter bike in a starring role in a romantic comedy. They need to be told by mainstream society that it is okay, even attractive, for women to bike.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Urban Milwaukee reports that the city is testing out bike sharing. Say Yes to the Honolulu Rail System offers poll results that show the city’s rail project is much more popular with the region’s younger residents, falling in line with national trends regarding youth and transit. And Pattern Cities celebrates the installation of Denver’s first cycle track.

Rules of the road apply to bicyclists, too - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

2011-06-13T05:34:00.000-07:00

Rules of the road apply to bicyclists, too - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier: "

Rules of the road apply to bicyclists, too
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
They show the safest place to ride," said Mark Wyatt, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Wyatt noted the markings are placed farther onto the lane than some people expect and that is to make sure the bicycles are seen by cars and to ...

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Rules of the road apply to bicyclists, too - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Darren Flusche
League Policy Analyst

Meghan Cahill
League Director of Communications

~Walter Finch
Director of Advocacy, League of American Bicyclists