Tag Archives: national

The National Bike Summit has just concluded yesterday, where hundred of cycling advocates from around the country visited our representatives in Washington, DC to talk about the benefits of cycling.  This kind of work is slow to see progress, but I’m glad there are people out there who have the time and dedication to do it. 

If you’re like most people, you’re probably thinking, “I’d like to help, but who has the time?”  Fortunately, there are two things you can do to help, even if you don’t have the resources of a full-time, or even part-time advocate:

Join your local bicycle advocacy organization or cycling club.  Even if you don’t have the time to devote to be actively involved in the organization’s activities, the act of your joining means one more name on the roster, and numbers mean a lot to local officials when they make decisions.  Plus, the 15 or 20 bucks of your annual membership fee helps a lot for all of the organization’s little expenses that add up, like web hosting fees and photocopying.  And who knows, you may end up making a new friend or riding partner in the meantime. 

Sign the Pledge at peopleforbikes.org.  This organization hopes to raise the profile of cycling on a national level by showing the world just how many people care.  You are welcome to sign the pledge whether you ride on the roads, or are a mountain biker, commuter, or ride just for fun.  Over 200,000 people have already made the pledge.  It’s easy, it’s free, and it makes a difference. 

The most frequently requested feature by users of Google Maps has been the ability to find routes best suited for bicycling.  Today, Google announces that this feature is finally available (in beta form). 

Click on a state to see its ranking a description of the reasons behind each ranking.  A list of bicycle friendly cities in each state, if any, is provided with each state listing. 

Ohio ranks 34 out of 50.  Reasons for Ranking: Ohio has a routine accomodation policy adopted in 2005, but no bike master plan and bicycling enforcement is not a police academy or POST training requirement. 

Currently there are no cities in Ohio that have been designated as bicycle friendly communities by the League of American Bicyclists. 

The Rails-To-Trail Conservancy has created an online petition to our president-elect and congressional leaders, encouraging them to provide explicit funding for biking and walking in the economic recovery package. 

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy will deliver the petition with your name and the many others who believe that balance is critical to our nation’s transportation system. 

Adventure Cycling Association’s nonprofit mission is to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle for fitness, fun, and self-discovery.  Founded in 1973 as Bikecentennial, Adventure Cycling is the premier bicycle travel organization in North America with 44,500 members nationwide.