15 minute read
Big Wins for the League in 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW
With the year quickly coming to a close, we would like to thank our 20,000 members and supporters, our 200,000 followers and political action-takers, our partners on Capitol Hill, and the communities, businesses and universities helping us advance our work to build a Bicycle Friendly America for Everyone.
2021 National Bike
Summit Wins
More than 1,200 attendees from all 50 states made our fully-remote 2021 National Bike Summit our biggest Summit yet. Be sure to attend our 2022 Summit, held both virtually as well as in-person in a brand-new Capitol Hill location by registering at bikeleague.org/summit.
All-Online Summit Feb. 28–Mar 3
Smart Cycling Wins
Newly certified LCIs at a Chicago, IL seminar hosted by Chicago Bicycle. Photo Courtesy of Chicago Bicycle.
25 22
BIPOC scholarships to individuals and League member groups Hosted LCI Seminars
155
New Certified LCIs
SMART CYCLING CLASS SURVEY RESULTS
of respondents said 95% the class was Helpful or Very Helpful
“I think anyone that rides a bike, even a very seasoned rider, would learn something new in this course. I really appreciated the infrastructure information Cynthia included during our city ride.” “I learned a lot about traffic rules that I did not know and he was able to point out safety concerns I’d never considered before. I hope that the organization will continue to offer other bike classes.”
97 of respondents would % recommend the Smart Cycling class to a friend
Bicycle Friendly America Wins
302
BFA Applications received in 2021
13,200
Total BFA Public Survey Responses received as part of our review process
Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Business Lane Shift in Bentonville, AR. Photo: Lane Shift’s BFB application.
Federal Advocacy Wins Making major strides to include policy and funding advancement in legislation
In the Infrastructure Bill
60% increase in Transportation Alternatives, the top source of funding for bicycling and walking infrastructure—a major influx for local projects
Requires an increase in states spending on biking and walking safety, up from $20 million per year to $300 million per year
$6 billion for safety plans and implementation (over 5 years) - new requirement
Every state must identify dangerous areas for biking and walking fatalities, including arterials, and identify solutions
First-ever Climate section in a transportation bill
Requires every state to have complete street standards In the Reconciliation Bill
Bicycle Commuter Benefit
E-bike tax rebate
$4 billion for reconnecting communities (measured, in part, as safe biking and walking access networks)
A new Greenhouse Gas (GHG) performance measure with teeth, meaning the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has the necessary authority to make people obey it, and $4 billion to help states and local governments meet those goals
League Communications
The League was mentioned in The Washington Post, The New York Times, StreetsBlog USA, Bicycle Retailer, Fortune, Forbes, MarketWatch, PEW and The American Prospect
Our Campaign to Drive Less, Bike More reached over 1,000,000 miles of car trips turned bike trips
More than 300,000 people are following our social media updates and email newsletters
Including Revision 1 dated May 2012 and Revision 2 dated May 2012
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
Nearly 2,500 comments were submitted in support of our comments developed with our representatives to the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD)
The update to the MUTCD is our once-a-decade opportunity to improve the manual on issues like official support and guidance for better bicycle networks that make protected bike lanes a standard part of American roadways
Research and Data
Added new resources to data.bikeleague.org, including five new reports:
Benchmarking Insights on Older Adults
Reconnecting with the New Majority
Benchmarking Bike Networks
State Fact Sheets
City Fact Sheets
BENCHMARKING
Bike Networks
RECONNECTING TO The New Majority
Buffer Separated Bike Lane. Source: Dylan Passmore. THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS PRESENTS
BENCHMARKING INSIGHTS ON OLDER ADULTS
KEN MCLEOD Policy Director 202.621.5447 | @KENMCLD ken@bikeleague.org 1612 K STREET, NW, SUITE 1102 WASHINGTON, DC 20006 202.822.1333 | @BIKELEAGUE WWW.BIKELEAGUE.ORG
Policy Development: Ensuring Protection for All Riders
On automated vehicles, worked with Argo, a leading automated vehicle developer, to create Technical Guidelines for how automated vehicles should interact with people cycling
Supporting “Idaho Stop” laws in Delaware and New York Putting a spotlight on the Section 1906, the Racial Profiling Prohibition Grant Funding in the federal transportation bill
Highlighting how National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant funds are used for traffic law enforcement without any requirements for demographic data collection that would provide insight into racial impacts of traffic law enforcement
Enacting safe passing laws in North Dakota and New Jersey and strengthening passing laws in Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Virginia, and New Jersey adopted a four-foot passing law
SMART CYCLING
CHEERS TO INCREASING REPRESENTATION
BY ALISON DEWEY
In order to meet the promise of a nation where bicycling is safe, comfortable, and open to all, we must build a more diverse community of both those learning to ride and those who teach how to ride safely. That’s why we were so happy to see many safe, outdoor, in-person League Cycling Instructor seminars return to communities in 2021, especially after a year that presented such few opportunities to do so.
Each LCI Seminar features student presentations on preassigned cycling topics. Photo Courtesy of Deltrece Daniels.
Even better, through the generosity of the Rebecca Rusch’s Be Good Foundation and Quality Bicycle Products (QBP), we were able to offer LCI Seminar Equity Scholarships in our effort to ensure more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) educators have the opportunity to join these spaces and become cycling instructors. The scholarships cover the cost of seminar registration and the League also partners with QBP to host LCI Seminars specifically for BIPOC educators in select communities.
Back in July, our friends at Bike Cleveland hosted one of many League Cycling Instructor seminars featuring recipients of our LCI Seminar Equity Scholarship. Instructed under the leadership of League Cycling Coach Neil Walker and site facilitator (and LCI) Deltrece Daniels, 14 participants spent three days in Cleveland, Ohio, learning about how to teach bicycle safety using the League’s Smart Cycling curriculum. “Many of the people who were signed up in the class were already very much involved in their community and that made for even more interesting discussions,” Neil Walker told the League. “People build connections through these conversations and are even able to reach audiences they’ve never been able to reach before.” Many seminar participants, including Neil, recalled moving conversations over the course of the weekend where advocates, those working in transportation, and neighborhood cycling enthusiasts learned from one another and discussed how to be better educators.
Learning from one another is a part of LCI training and participants must put together presentations on pre-assigned cycling topics to share with the class, which is site facilitator Deltrece’s favorite part of the seminar.
“As a Cleveland resident, I knew most of the participants prior to the seminar but it was nice to see them in a different light beyond bike rides,” said Deltrece. “During a seminar, students get the opportunity to share with others what they’ve learned and we can all usually walk away having learned something new.” It brings us such joy to see the faces and hear the stories of BIPOC cyclists leading the bike education movement in their communities. Representation matters, and through our partnerships with the Be Good Foundation, QBP, and our advocacy organization hosts, we’re building a network of League Cycling Instructors across the country who reflect America’s diversity.
READ ON to learn more about the scholarship recipients and find out how you or someone you know can apply at https://bit.ly/LCIScholarship
Dayna Chandler
I am a current Board Member of The Street Collective, Iowa Interscholastic Mountain Bike League, M.E.P (Multicultural Education Programs), WellMark YMCA, and The 3 Principles Network. Educating youth, serving my community and teaching bike education is what I do. I am committed to helping individuals lead healthy and productive lives, with strong emphasis on brown and black communities in and around Des Moines, IA.
What inspired you to become an LCI?
My thoughts of becoming the first African American LCI in my state who would share the love of cycling with women in the Des Moines chapter of Black Girls do Bike, as well as youth and other cycling/biking enthusiasts who are interested in learning more about riding safe while having fun.
What was your favorite part of the seminar?
My favorite part about the seminar was our instructor Vanessa Beard, meeting the participants and building lasting bonds with everyone in those few days. We laughed, we practiced, we helped each other through each area and celebrated ours successes. The experience, though tough, was awesome! Super grateful to have had the experience and earn my LCI.
Increase engagement of diverse riders in cycling. More youth bike camps within our city to introduce and encourage young riders to take up cycling safely for recreation and sport. Hold more bike rodeos for youth. Increase the number of diverse LCI’s in Iowa. Increase cycling education in the community, e.g., safe routes to school, bike legislation, trails and trail design, health and wellness benefits, and more!
Ebony Hood
Ebony Hood is a Cleveland native with over 20 years of experience in grassroots community organizing and is dedicated to changing the narrative by creating culturally relevant and evidencebased programming for transformative education and learning in urban communities. She works at Syatt, a Mother-Daughter led organization advocating for nature equity. Ebony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Sustainability and a Master’s in Education which drives her desire to advocate for environmental justice and her passion to connect others to the natural world.
What inspired you to become an LCI?
SAFETY! As a child, I was taught to ride a bike and to either stay out of the street or be careful crossing it. Ha! Today, it is so rewarding to teach adults and youth about safely navigating our busy city and heavily used trails.
What was your favorite part of the seminar?
When we all gave a standing ovation to Coach Neil. There was a STRONG synergy in the room and we were all excited to celebrate as a cohort with Neil leading the charge! It was truly a feel-good moment and such a notable pleasure to have so many people of color represented in the room with the help of Bike Cleveland staff (Deltrece and Jacob) and fellow LCI Diana bringing it all together.
I run a grassroots org with my mom and sister, Syatt, and plan to include the knowledge and skills learned in class in everything that we do, including hosting rodeos and learn-to-ride sessions. I’ve always considered myself the bike-whisperer (lol), teaching never-evers how to ride bikes! Our long-term goal is to host distant overnight bike excursions with youth.
Deidre McPherson
Deidre McPherson is a community advocate and creative producer that loves to ride with cyclists of all skill levels. She serves on the board of Bike Cleveland as co-chair of their Race, Equity, and Inclusion committee, and she volunteers as a Squad member of Slow Roll Cleveland and with DevahD Cycling.
What inspired you to become an LCI?
I decided to become an LCI because I want to share the joy of cycling with people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. As an LCI, I have the credentials to help cyclists ride confidently and safely. I can also help drivers learn how to share the road with cyclists, which is important to me. I especially want to help change the perception that a cyclist is someone who rides a bike in spandex. A cyclist is anyone who rides a bike!
What was your favorite part of the seminar?
My favorite part of the seminar was the instructor, Neil Walker. He was incredibly knowledgeable and he shared lots of inspiring stories with us.
I’d like to help Greater Cleveland. There are many people who need help getting into cycling as a sport, alternative mode of transportation, or fun activity, and I am excited to offer that support as a member of the community.
Ilyana Walker
My name is Ilyana Walker and I reside in Cleveland, Ohio. I enjoyed riding bikes as a kid like most people. After a long hiatus, I started back riding consistently around 2006 for the sole purpose of fitness. One night, I saw a large group of people riding at night with their bikes lit up and immediately knew I needed to find that group. After connecting with them, I began to connect with other bike groups. In 2016, I bought my first road bike and that was when I transitioned from riding just for fun to riding for pure and unadulterated enjoyment.
What inspired you to become an LCI?
I found myself talking a lot about bikes and wanting others to experience the joy of riding. I co-founded a group five years ago that commemorates the now national holiday of Juneteenth through bike tours. I also joined a community group that is now a chapter of Bike Cleveland whose mission is to educate and promote safe cycling in the community. I decided that I wanted to become an LCI in order to provide proper education and develop the skills to assist others to become more confident with riding.
What was your favorite part of the seminar?
My favorite part of the seminar was the hands-on skills tests. I did not realize that I would be so excited about getting my LCI certification. After receiving my certificate, it was at that moment that I knew that I was equipped to promote safe and enjoyable riding. I am very proud of the fact that I am now an LCI.
I want to encourage new riders as well as encourage those who have not been on a bike in a while to get back on the saddle.
Raymond Weeden
I’m happily retired from fulltime work and now consider myself a full-time avid bicyclist. In addition to cycling, I currently serve as a Councilman in the Village of Walton Hills Ohio, and lead a three-generation cycling family.
What inspired you to become an LCI?
In the community where I live, I’m known as the cycling guy. On occasion, I am asked for cycling and safety advice. I decided I needed to be able to answer intelligently and decided to take the training to become an LCI. I’m looking forward to providing training for all age groups of bicyclists in my community.
What was your favorite part of the seminar?
My favorite part of the training was the camaraderie and team-building I experienced amongst the LCI candidates. Preparation for the joint presentation assignments really pulled people out of their comfort zones and built community!
With my certification, I hope to be able to establish a safe Seniors Cycling group in my community and provide the skills for the seniors to roll on into our Golden Years!
To learn more and apply for the LCI Equity Scholarship, visit:
bikeleague.org/ bipoc-LCIs
LCI Seminar hosted by San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. Photo Courtesy of San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.
WHY YOUR CLUB'S LEADERS SHOULD BECOME LCIs
LEAVE A LEGACY OF BETTER BIKING!
Coach Neil Walker at BIPOC LCI seminar in Lancaster, PA. Photo Courtesy of Common Wheel.
Organizations of all kinds can host LCI seminars, bringing LCIs to their community, promoting safe cycling anywhere.
League Cycling Instructor Seminars, the weekend-long class that trains and certifies LCIs, can be hosted by advocacy groups, municipalities, groups of existing instructors, and even bike clubs! Adding LCIs to your club ranks comes with some built-in benefits. For one, your ride leaders will be equipped with the power of expert knowledge in group riding, lane positioning, bike handling skills and other helpful tips. If your club offers educational services you’ll even see a valuable discount on your club’s insurance premiums with a trained professional in leadership. More than anything, aligning your club with the expert knowledge of an LCI fosters a culture of safe cycling. To learn more about hosting an LCI seminar for your bike club, contact education@bikeleague.org.
Make a tax-advantaged gift to the League with your IRA
Recent changes to the tax code require traditional IRA holders to begin annual withdrawals, or Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), after they turn 70½ years old. The amount that you have to withdraw is determined by your age, the amount you have saved in your IRA, and your life expectancy. These distributions must be made each subsequent year, and failing to make a withdrawal may result in penalties on the amount that should have been withdrawn. While IRA distributions are usually considered taxable income, you can provide tax-advantaged gifts to qualifying 501(c)3 non-profit organizations like the League by making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), a direct transfer from your IRA trustee.
You can leave a lasting legacy of better biking to generations of Americans to come while maintaining your RMDs. Simply tell your IRA trustee that you wish to support the League of American Bicyclists, EIN 36-6206225. For more information, contact Director of Membership and Development Kevin Dekkinga at kevin@bikeleague.org or 202.621.5449.
