Pedaling Influence

When you think about bicycle advocacy today, what comes to mind is probably the work of the non-profit groups and passionate individuals who work with elected officials and municipal transportation agencies to get more bike lanes and trails—bicycling infrastructure.  This is certainly one of the things they do, but there is a lot more.  According to Kevin Dekkinga, Director of Membership at the League of American Bicyclists and guest speaker at the May 11, 2021 meeting of the Chicago Cycling Club, this national advocacy group was founded in 1880 in Newport R.I. around the issue of infrastructure—they were proponents of the good roads movement that advocated for changing  the gravel and dirt roads and creating smooth, paved surfaces that could be used for the high wheel bicycles that were popular at that time.  Kevin quipped that the League was involved with gravel before gravel was cool!  Fast forward to the present and the League is still advocating for infrastructure for bicycling, but they also have in their mission to educate and encourage and have the programs to support it.  

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​Programs for Education
According to Kevin, the League’s Smart Cycling program was established in the 1970s and has evolved over the years.  It consists of face-to-face classes held at locations across the country conducted by certified cycling instructors and online webinars.  They've developed educational materials such as guides, tip sheets, and videos.  The educational programs accommodate all ages and abilities and are designed to provide information about best practices to help cyclists develop confidence on the road.   They even have training for motorists so they know how to share the road with cyclists.  They offer the only national bicycle instructor certification.  

​Programs for Encouragement
Bicycle Friendly America – These programs are designed to provide guidance and standards for organizations to improve conditions for bicycling.  Entities are invited to submit an application and a team assesses progress and assigns a ranking.  There is a road map and recognition for the following entities:

• States – All 50 states are ranked based on data in the Benchmarking Report on Bicycling and Walking in the United States (funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and surveys completed by state Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or state bicycle advocacy organizations.  It is a report card of actions taken by state DOT and legislatures in how effective they have been in creating a Bicycle Friendly America and a roadmap for how they can move up in the rankings.  Illinois is currently ranked at number 16.

 

• Communities - The Bicycle Friendly Community program also provides a roadmap to improving conditions for bicycling but from a local perspective.  Criteria include community initiatives around enforcement, education, engineering, encouragement, and evaluation/planning (the Five E’s).  Communities submit an application to get recognition for what they have accomplished and to help set priorities and get funding for future projects.

 

• Universities – Higher education is an ideal environment to promote safe cycling due to the density, community, and inclination to a bicycling lifestyle.  The Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes educational institutions for promoting and providing a more bikeable campus for students, staff and visitors. The Five E’s are also used as criteria to inspire action and give bragging rights.

 

• Businesses – A Bicycle Friendly Business designation indicates that the workplace is helping its community by being welcoming to bicycling. Bicycling to and from work can help employees be more productive, energized, alert and decrease healthcare costs, not to mention the environmental effects of one less car and avoiding the risks of public transportation.  Business can achieve Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels and receive feedback on additional areas they might address.  Those that have implemented a solid foundation for bicycling are recognized in a national press release, social media, and on the League’s awards map on its website.  

National Bike Month - Another encouragement program is sponsorship of National Bike Month in May.   There are special events and challenges though out the month, including the National Bike Challenge, an opportunity to log your rides during the month and win prizes.  A special focus of the National Bike Challenge is encouraging others to give riding a bike a try. 
 
Bike Clubs - The League supports bike clubs across the country and works with them for better cycling.  Clubs have access to discounted insurance for their events, as well as resources and training for club leaders. Clubs receive an organizational listing and unlimited event listings in the popular Cycling in Your Area search page on the League website. 
 
Programs for Advocacy
National Bicycle Summit – The National Bike Summit is the premier bicycle advocacy event of the year,  gathering enthusiastic bicyclists, transportation planners, advocates, policy makers, and bicycle retailers to Capitol Hill to showcase successes, learn how they happened, and expand best practices.  It takes place every year, this year it was at the end of February in an online format, and consisted of educational and information sharing sessions, networking and meetings with representatives in Washington, D.C.

Advocacy – Support and promotion for cycling legislation and programs on the national, state, and local level remains a focus for the League.  Activities of the staff and volunteers include lobbying, campaigns for bike-friendly policies, and support of elected officials who promote bicycle friendly legislation and policies.  The League has information on state bike laws, how to gain funding for a bike lane and how to engage diverse stakeholders in your community. 

MUTCD - The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is a technical design guide governing traffic signs and road markings in all 50 states.  The design guidelines that are prescribed have far reaching effect on the built environment for bicycling.  The League has a seat on the board and provides input from the membership on features that can make the roads safe for cycling.

Over the years the League of American Bicyclists, with its staff and volunteers, has worked to promote safe streets for everyone.  With the current bike boom this work is especially important to give confidence and support to all the people that want to begin riding a bicycle on the roads and trails.  It is good to know the League has our backs, and our wheels, spokes, tires, handlebars, baskets, and bells, as we roll with the wind behind us on all the good roads and trails around this fine country.