Next week I will be attending the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC. Hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, the League's annual National Bike Summit is where advocates, industry executives and education experts gather to speak up for bicycling on Capitol Hill. I'm excited to take our local community issues to the Congress. Consider joining me on March 12? For more information, contact WalkBikeBerks today!
Go for Green: Building Bicycling into the Transportation Bill
Bicyclists led the Good Roads movement in the 1880s, successfully lobbying for paved roads to drag our nation out of the mud. In 2009, the stage is set for bicyclists to once again lead reform of our transportation system. A “smart” transportation movement is needed to solve the challenges of climate change, obesity, congestion, pollution, safety, and dependence on foreign oil. The 2009 National Bike Summit is focused on making a powerful case for expanding Federal support for bicycling – for active transportation and recreation. Join fellow advocates, industry leaders, and retailers as we make our voice for change heard: we have a new President, new Congress and new administration to address. The new Congress begins writing a new federal transportation funding bill and bicyclists must be at the table. Please join us: we need every Congressional District to be represented.
Summit program
The opening banquet of the 2009 National Bike Summit, Tuesday March 10 at 6.00pm, will feature Andreas Rohl, head of the City of Copenhagen's Bicycle Program Office - 36% of trips in Denmark's capital city are made by bike, and Andreas' job is to increase this to 40% or more! Also on the program that evening, the presentation of the National Center for Safe Routes to Schools' James L. Oberstar prize - the award will be given by none other than Congressman Oberstar himself.
Wednesday morning's opening plenary will be kicked off in traditional style by Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), with a discussion to follow featuring prominent players in the upcoming transportation bill authorization.
Wednesday lunchtime our focus shifts to the critical links between transportation, land use, recreation and physical activity. Our featured speaker is Larry Selzer, President and CEO of The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in metropolitan Washington, DC. The Conservation Fund protects the nation's legacy of land and water resources in partnership with other nonprofit organizations, public agencies, foundations, corporations and individuals. Through land acquisition, community initiatives, and leadership development, The Fund and its partners demonstrate sustainable conservation solutions emphasizing the integration of economic and environmental goals.
To read more about the Bike Summit, visit the LAB's website.
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