Friday, November 25, 2016
Virginia No. 1 Bicycle Friendly State in the South
The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) has released its report card and rankings of states as being bicycling friendly, and Virginia came in as #13 nationally and #1 in the southern region. Virginia scored better during the past year in the areas of education, encouragement, infrastructure, and funding. It also scores well in policies and programs but suffered a lower score for legislation and enforcement.
According to LAB, among the signs of Virginia’s success in improving its rank as a bicycling friendly state are recent increases in dedicated state funding and the passage of a safe passing law. The Commonwealth previously had been recognized for having a state bicycle plan, active bicycle advocacy, a complete streets policy, and a share the road campaign. To improve its national standing, Virginia needs to take several steps to get 1% or more of its citizens commuting by bike, including:
- Update laws that discourage road diets and bicycle lanes in urban areas.
- Adopt a law prohibiting a motorist from opening an automobile’s door unless able to do so safely (Virginia is one of only ten states lacking this type of “dooring” law.)
- Dedicate state funding for bicycle projects and programs, especially those focused on safety, eliminating gaps, and increasing access for bicycle networks.
- Adopt a vulnerable road use law that increases penalties for a motorist who injures or kills a bicyclist or pedestrian.
- Add bicycle safety as an emphasis area in the state Strategic Highway Safety Plan and aggressively fund bike safety projects.
Labels: bicycle friendly state, lab, league of american bicyclists
Thursday, August 18, 2011
City Paper article on cycling in the District
It's a long article but worth reading. There are good quotes form Greg Billing of WABA, Andy Clarke of LAB, and David Alpert of Greater Greater Washington. From David:
But the idea that bike lanes are the exclusive domain of the city’s younger, whiter class is too simple a story. Like any stereotype, it has holes when you examine it closely; head out onto Beach Drive when it’s closed to cars on the weekends, for instance, and you won’t come back thinking the only people who are serious about bikes in the District are white. David Alpert, editor of the blog Greater Greater Washington, suggests the brouhaha was propped up by media outlets looking for a quick way to frame last year’s mayor’s race. “I think to some extent it became an easy shorthand for people writing about race relations and about divisions in D.C.,” he says.
Here's Greg on work being done by WABA in Anacostia:WABA, in partnership with DDOT, has begun education outreach east of the Anacostia River to teach riding, repair, and rules of the road. The organization will hold a total of nine clinics in an area that’s home to some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods—neighborhoods that could stand to benefit the most from access to and knowledge of a cheaper mode of transportation. The clinics regularly see about 30 people, and the series wraps up next Sunday.
“It’s been very successful,” says Billing. “Most of the responses we’ve gotten have been, ‘Wow, thank you so much; this is a blessing. We want to bike to school; we want to bike to work. I couldn’t afford to do this without you here.’ It’s just been incredible, the support we’ve received.” Many areas, especially east of the river, don’t have easy access to bike shops, and the clinics help make cycling seem more within reach. “Taking a step back a little bit, the fact that bike lanes became such a heated issue during the election meant that it’s an actual issue now,” Billing says. “Before, bikes used to be a very fringe discussion.”
and from Andy:“It’s been very successful,” says Billing. “Most of the responses we’ve gotten have been, ‘Wow, thank you so much; this is a blessing. We want to bike to school; we want to bike to work. I couldn’t afford to do this without you here.’ It’s just been incredible, the support we’ve received.” Many areas, especially east of the river, don’t have easy access to bike shops, and the clinics help make cycling seem more within reach. “Taking a step back a little bit, the fact that bike lanes became such a heated issue during the election meant that it’s an actual issue now,” Billing says. “Before, bikes used to be a very fringe discussion.”
“We’ve got to that point in those cities where we want to be proactive about people cycling and that public space is more valuable than giving you a parking space for perpetuity. I think that’s good,” Clarke says. “It’s uncomfortable to go through it, but it’s part of the evolution and process that shows communities are serious about increasing cycling....It will be uncomfortable for a little while, but people will be look back on that and say, ‘What were we so worked up about? How can I get bike lanes on my street?’”
Labels: city paper, greater greater washington, lab, waba
Friday, November 5, 2010
Launch party for Advocates' guide
The Alliance for Biking & Walking provided the funds for the guide and Carolyn Szczepanski of the Alliance was there to say a few words about the Advocacy Advance Grants and the work of the Alliance. Other speakers included Andy Clarke of the League of American Bicyclists (right), Shane Farthing of WABA (below left), Stewart Schwartz of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, and Doug Miller of VDOT (below right). VDOT staff provided invaluable help to FABB during production of the guide by describing in detail how VDOT projects are planned and constructed. Several staff attended the launch. Others present included Mark Blacknell of the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee, Angela Koch, Events and Advocacy Coordinator at Revolution Cycles, Zack Fields of Congressman Connolly's office, Edythe Frankel, Vienna Town Council, Susan Stillman of the Vienna Bicycle Advisory Committee, and several FABB members.
Linda Rapp designed the guide layout and color scheme, making an attractive and more easily understood publication. Kerie Hitt did a great job of editing. Fionnuala Quinn had the initial idea for the guide, initiated the grant application, and was the primary author. Bruce Wright, co-author, noted that Fairfax County has begun the bicycle master planning process that will provide a blueprint for future bicycle facilities in the county.
Ironically, some of us had to drive to the event. It's a sobering experience for those of us who usually get around by bike to experience a rainy rush hour. It took longer to get there by car
Cross posted on the WABA blog.
Labels: advocates guide, lab, waba
Saturday, March 7, 2009
LAB announces 2009 Bicycle Friendly Business winners
The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) announced the latest winners of the Bicycle Friendly Business award, one of which is from Virginia, Big Wheel Bicycles in Charlottesville (Bronze). Other DC area winners were Toole Design Group in Hyattsville (Silver), and World Bank Group (bronze). Here's more from the March 4 LAB press release:The League of American Bicyclists is proud to announce 34 new Bicycle Friendly Business award winners which includes our first platinum designations to New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colo. and Bike Gallery of Portland Ore. This is the second time BFB winners have been announced since the program's inception in 2008 when the League announced the first 13 designees. "We're delighted to highlight these great companies and the ways in which they are getting more people on bikes," stated League President Andy Clarke. "In today's challenging economic climate, businesses with healthy, happy and productive employees are going to be the most competitive and the most sustainable - the Bicycle Friendly Business program recognizes some of the best examples of this in practice."
Hat tip to Biking Bis.
Labels: bicycle friendly business, lab
