Andy Clarke | Evolving Consumer

Bike Friendly States

This month the League of American Bicyclists released its 2014 Bicycle Friendly State ranking. For the seventh year in a row the state of Washington has lead the nation, but is closely followed by Minnesota and Wisconsin, as Utah and California have moved up in the top 10.

“We’re excited and encouraged to see real progress in states like California, Minnesota and Utah,” said League President Andy Clarke. “Overall, we still see a lot of opportunity to realize the huge potential of bicycling to promote health, economic development, and quality of life in all 50 states.” Continue reading Bike Friendly States

Campus Cycling Shines

The League of American Bicyclists announced the second “Platinum” college campus, along with 17 new Bicycle Friendly Universities. Joining Stanford is the University of California-Davis, which is fitting as the City of Davis has been a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community since 2005.

With this latest round of applications and awards, the program has expanded to a total of 75 colleges in 32 states and Washington, D.C.

“As our Bicycle Friendly University program grows, the promise for a more Bicycle Friendly America does, too,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “Colleges and universities propel our leaders of the future, and more and more of those students are choosing bicycles as their transportation option of choice. We commend universities like Bowdoin College; University of California, Davis; and the University of Montana, who are leading the way to a healthier, more sustainable future.”

Current Bicycle Friendly Universities Fall 2013 Official List

Feds Becoming Bike Friendly

While many businesses have been steadily embracing cycling, things haven’t been as smooth on the government side of things. However, this month the League of American Cyclists announced that many federal agencies are now becoming bike friendly as well.

The League of American Bicyclists announced 91 new Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFB) from across the country, extending the program to 43 states and Washington, D.C. These new awardees join a trendsetting group of more than 600 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies across the United States that are transforming the American workplace.

“Government agencies are definitely following the lead of the private sector in creating better places to work,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “That’s particularly exciting because the health savings, environmental benefits and increased productivity of a healthier and happier workforce benefit us all. Let’s hope the politicians on Capitol Hill are paying attention to this good work!”

On the government side of things the National Park Service, which manages the nation’s parks and National Mall, moved up from Bronze to Silver this round. In addition the Federal Communications Commission moved up from Bronze to Silver this round. The FCC has seen its number of bike commuters double since the agency received Bronze, and leaders look forward to even more participation with this latest announcement.

Also based in D.C., the International Monetary Fund is a new Bronze-level business. The IMF boasts more than 400 registered bicyclists in its workforce.

Current Bicycle Friendly Businesses Fall 2013 Official Website

Friendly States – For Cyclists

The League of American Bicyclists released its 2013 ranking of Bicycle Friendly States last week to coincide with the kickoff of National Bike Month.

Washington continues to lead the list as the No. 1 state, but Illinois and Arizona made it into the top 10 in 2013, and Delaware moved from the tenth spot to the fifth spot. Colorado moved from fourth to second on the list; Oregon moved from fifth to third.

“We are encouraged to see significant progress in top states like Washington, Delaware, Colorado and Oregon,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “But as the scores clearly highlight, there’s much work to be done in critical areas like infrastructure and planning in every state.”

The top 10 bike friendly states are, in order from first to tenth: Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Illinois and Arizona.

Bicycle Friendly State 2013 State Rankings Official Website

Earth Day is Business Day

Today is Earth Day and that means business for the League of American Bicycles, which announced 63 new Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFB) from across the country.

“More and more business leaders are realizing that bicycling is a simple and cost-effective way to move toward a more productive company,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “Promoting healthy transportation is increasingly attractive to employers and prospective employees – and it’s moving America toward a more sustainable future.”

The BFB program has now expanded to 44 states and Washington, D.C., and these new awardees join a visionary group of more than 500 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies across the United States that are transforming the American workplace.

Bicycle Friendly Business Program

Full list of Award Winners after the jump

League Notes Common Cause With AAA

Cars are often considered the enemy of cyclists but at this week’s 2013 National Bike Summit, hosted by the League of American Bicyclists the advocacy group noted that it found common ground with the AAA – the Automobile Association of America.

“At first glance, it may seem surprising that AAA would be a leading voice at the National Bike Summit, one of the biggest bicycle advocacy events of the year,” said League President, Andy Clarke. “But AAA has become an important partner in our work to raise awareness about the benefits of biking, improve the safety of cyclists, and promote and protect the rights and responsibilities of all road users.”

To this end the AAA has debuted a new Share the Road Public Service Announcement (PSA) that highlights the dual identity of many road users: driver and cyclists. Hopefully this will result in real sharing of the road and mutual respect from both sides. Video after the jump

National Bike Challenge Answered

The League of American Bicyclists, Endomondo and Bikes Belong announced this week that more than 30,000 Americans took part in the 2012 National Bike Challenge, with a collective journey of more than 12 million miles that spanned all 40 states.

The initiative encouraged new cyclists to start riding, challenged current bicyclists to ride more and showcased the tremendous health and financial benefits of bicycling.

“The Challenge has given us just a tiny glimpse of the remarkable potential of bicycling to address major social and environmental issues — in a fun and engaging way,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “Every one of the 30,000 participants deserves recognition for the miles they contributed to the impressive grand total — and we look forward to seeing everyone in the saddle for next year’s challenge!”

In addition to encouraging individual riders, more than 9,000 workplaces participated in the Challenge, using the initiative as a free, fun wellness tool for employees. The winners in the workplace categories (based on number of employees) included IBM, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Trek Bicycle Corp, Shimano, Toole Design Group, Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and BikeArlington.

Congrats to all those that took part, and congrats to the League of American Bicyclists, Endomondo and Bikes Belong for offering this challenge! List of winners after the jump

League of American Bicyclists Name Bicycle Friendly Communities

A lot of bicyclists are doing some climbing during their commutes, because Colorado and Montana lead the way with new gold and silver level bicycle friendly communities according to the League of American Bicyclists. The group has just named its largest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) yet.

“We aren’t surprised that this was the largest number of new and renewing applicants that we’ve ever had,” said League President Andy Clarke. “The popularity of this program is clear evidence that simple steps to make bicycling safe and comfortable pay huge dividends in civic, community and economic development.” Continue reading League of American Bicyclists Name Bicycle Friendly Communities

League of Honorary Gentlemen and Gentlewomen

The League of American Bicyclists last week as part of the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. presented Leadership Awards to 13 members of the United States Congress for their strong support for healthy and active transportation options for all Americans. These include members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, who have worked to preserve popular, cost-effective programs that make bicycling safe and accessible for rural and urban residents across the nation.

“Unlike so many issues on Capitol Hill, bicycling truly transcends political party, bringing Republicans and Democrats together to protect and promote the health and safety of their constituents,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “We commend our Leadership Award recipients and call on all members of Congress to follow their lead and unite around a federal transportation bill that continues investment in bicycling programs that create jobs, cut healthcare costs and save Americans money.” Full list of Leadership Award Recipients after the jump

Bicycle Groups Go To Washington

Mr. Smith move over, as this week two of the leading bicycle advocacy groups – which for the record are in the process of a merger – have headed to Capitol Hill for the National Bike Summit. This comes as Americans across the nation are bicycling in record numbers, and bicycle sharing is seeing adoption in places that just a few years ago might not have seemed so bike friendly.

This week as part of the event, more than 800 cyclists from 49 streets are heading to the halls of Congress to share their stories and show lawmakers and policymakers how bicycling can be important transportation option. Continue reading Bicycle Groups Go To Washington

League of American Bicyclists Calls for Solutions During National Bike Summit

This week is the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Summit taking place March 8-10 in Washington, D.C. as an effort to help the advancement of bicycling in our nation’s transportation and health agenda.

“Summit attendees will be reminding their representatives about the direct value of enhancements, safe routes, recreational trails and other Federally-funded projects,” said League President Andy Clarke. “More than 700 cycling advocates, supporters and industry executives are coming to D.C. to emphasize the importance of bicycling to new and current members of Congress. Bicycling offers an excellent return on Federal investment, in terms of jobs, economic growth, and a healthier America.”

Among those speaking this week will be Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who has been instrumental in the Bike Summit’s 11 year history, as well as Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Robin Schepper, Executive Director of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

League of American Bicyclists Official Website

SRAM Joins With the Advocacy Advance Partnership

This week bicycle component Sram announced its continued support for the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking & Walking. This is part of a new, three-year campaign to double federal funding for bicycling and walking by 2013. SRAM is backing this Advocacy Advance initiative by awarding up to $1.2 million to the League and Alliance over the next three years to unite active transportation advocates across the nation, and to give them tools and resources to secure even greater increased funding from existing federal transportation programs for crucial bike and pedestrian projects. Continue reading SRAM Joins With the Advocacy Advance Partnership