Saturday, February 10, 2018
Apply Now to Become League Certified Instructor
FABB is joining with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), and INOVA to provide FREE Transportation Safety Leadership training and League of American Bicyclists Instructor Certification.
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| Photo courtesy of LAB. |
This free training offers the opportunity for applicants to become League Certified Instructors, who are in great demand and can charge $50/hour to teach bicycling and safety outreach. The training is fun but demanding as students learn how to teach bicycle safety and skills to new and returning bicyclists and youth. The seminar focuses on teaching and demonstration techniques that graduates will use with future students in the classroom and on bikes. Each student will have opportunities during the seminar to practice teaching others. The full course of instruction is conducted over multiple days with about 1/3 of that time spent on-bike, including a night riding session. The LCI Education seminar will be held over four days on March 3, and April 6, 7, and 8, 2018, at Inova Fairfax Hosptial in Fairfax.
Information about the Pedestrian Safety Training class, including available dates and location, will be announced later.
In exchange for this free training, which normally costs $500, applicants are expected to commit to participate in at least 2 community outreach events and to collaborate with regional safety partners in the future.
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| Photo courtesy Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Club. |
If you are bicyclist who also is a current or up-and-coming leader in your community and if you are willing to commit to training and supporting pedestrian and bicycle safety in Northern Virginia, we think you are a perfect candidate for this instruction. We want those bicyclists willing to partner with community staff and leaders to provide outreach and help us reduce the unacceptably high number of pedestrian and bicycling deaths in the region.
The organizers will review each application and select those most qualified. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to ride, commitment to community, and interest in outreach and teaching. Applicants should be comfortable working with people of differing backgrounds in small groups and one-on-one. Second language capabilities are highly desirable.
Please apply now at the organizers’ webpage. For more information on LCI seminars, visit the League of American Bicyclists webpage.
Labels: inova, lci seminar, nvrc, waba
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Long Bridge Bicycle and Pedestrian Connection Needs Your Support
FABB is encouraging everyone to visit this WABA website to speak up in support of improving plans for a new biking and walking trail.
DC's Department of Transportation is making plans to upgrade the rail bridge between DC's SW Waterfront and Crystal City and is considering adding a biking and walking trail alongside it. Unfortunately, the current trail designs only go from the Mount Vernon Trail to Hains Point.
A better plan would extend the trail across the George Washington Parkway to Arlington County’s Long Bridge Park. At the other end, extending the trail to Maine Avenue would avoid sending users through an indirect and congested route across the Washington Channel. The WABA website has a few additional suggestions to improve the design that you can include in note.
Labels: ddot, long bridge, mount vernon trail, waba
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Lots of Great Perks for Tour de Fat Volunteers
We now have the official volunteer signup link, so please join FABB in participating in the region’s biggest bike party of the year, the Tour de Fat.
FABB is going to be working with WABA to provide two shifts of 15 volunteers each to handle IDs & wristbands for the event on Saturday, July 22, from 4:00 – 9:00 pm.
As of July 9th we already have 10 volunteers, so we just need 20 more. Please help out by going to the New Belgium Brewery Tour de Fat Volunteer page and signing up for either Shift 1 (from 3:00 - 6:00 pm) or Shift 2 (5:30 - 8:30 pm).
In addition to the joy and satisfaction that comes from helping FABB earn money for its advocacy efforts, volunteers get free admission to the event for the shift they are not working (Full Ticket Price: $25), free admission to the event for a guest (Full Ticket Price: $25), one free beer token (Regular Price: $5), and a FABB t-shirt!
So, please sign up and please spread the word to your friends and family about Tour de Fat and the awesomely fun time to be had. Check out the Tour de Fat website for details on location and events.
Labels: tour de fat, volunteers, waba
Saturday, May 7, 2016
14 Days Until Tour de Fat
There are only two weeks to go until FABB volunteers help make this year’s Tour de Fat the best ever.
Tour de Fat is New Belgium Brewing’s traveling celebration of all things bicycle, honoring humankind’s greatest invention. So, please plan on joining thousands of Metro area bicyclists at Yard’s Park, 355 Water St SE, on Saturday, May 21, 2016, for a costumed bike parade and musical acts, peppered with fun like dance contests, a Slow Ride competition, and other interactive events.
Also, everyone is invited to join the New Belgium Brewing Company, WABA, and Tour de Fat volunteers for a TdF Promotion Party and kickoff for WABA's Really Big Bike Weekend. The party will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2016, at 6:00pm at the Dew Drop Inn, 2801 8th Street NE, in DC. RSVP for the promo party on Facebook here.
FABB still needs a few more volunteers. Please help and sign up here for a morning or afternoon shift. Enter "FABB" as the password and you will see "ID & Wristbands," which allows you to select a morning (10am-1:30pm) or afternoon (1-5pm) shift.
Labels: new belgium brewing co, really big bike weekend, tour de fat, waba, yards park
Thursday, February 25, 2016
DC Bike Ride - Early Bird registration ends Feb. 29
Sunday, May 22 is DC Bike Ride. The event is part of the Really Big Bike Weekend that includes Bike to Work Day and Tour de Fat. Early Bird registration for the ride is $50 until February 29. The event benefits WABA's work with the DC Vision Zero campaign. From the DC Bike Ride press release:
The recreational ride offers a unique car-free tour of the nation’s capital. Riders will cruise past some of the most iconic sites taking in everything from the Washington Monument to the White House and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Participants will conclude their journey with a post-ride celebration near the United States Capitol. A complete ride itinerary is included at the end of this release.
“WABA is a proud founding partner of the DC Bike Ride,” stated Greg Billing, WABA’s Executive Director. “DCBR represents the return of a family-friendly, traffic-free bike ride to the District of Columbia, and our community couldn’t be more thrilled. We believe the best way to experience our region is on the seat of a bicycle. In addition to the good work of bringing people together, DC Bike Ride will provide critical resources for our community engagement work to support D.C.'s Vision Zero goal to end traffic fatalities by 2024.”
Labels: bike to work day, dc bike ride, really big bike weekend, tour de fat, waba
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Meet WABA's New Executive Director Greg Billing
From our friends at WABA:
October 7, 6:00 PM
REI Community Space at Wunder Garten, 150 M St NE, Washington, DC.
Stop by, grab a beer or a snack, and say hello to our new Executive Director, Greg Billing. Nothing too formal, just a nice fun after-work gathering with our friends from REI.
RSVP Here
Labels: greg billing, waba, waba executive director
Monday, July 20, 2015
Shane Farthing on biking in DC
A brief segment of the interview is contained on the referenced page. To hear more of the interview click on "Play" at the top of the page.
See our earlier FABB post about Shane leaving WABA.
Shane discusses the need to connect existing bike infrastructure to ensure that people can safely and conveniently get around by bike, the impact of Capital Bikeshare on cycling on the region, and other topics.
Besides Shane leaving WABA, WABA's nemesis when it comes to the car vs. bike debate, Lon Anderson of Mid-Atlantic AAA, recently announced his retirement. Anderson talked to Dr Gridlock recently on his thoughts about transportation in the region. See some examples of Anderson's statements in the past.
Labels: shane farthing, waba
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Tour de Fat Volunteer Party May 28
By Steve Ward |
| 2014 Tour de Fat - Courtesy of New Belgium Beer Company |
New Belgium and WABA are holding the annual Thursday night Volunteer Party at Churchkey at 1337 14th Street Northwest, Washington DC (second floor) on May 28th from 6-9pm. All volunteers are invited to attend and will receive one free beer on New Belgium. Also, WABA will be selling raffle tickets for a New Belgium cruiser bike that will be raffled off at 9pm.
Labels: FABB, tour de fat, waba
Monday, June 9, 2014
WABA's BikeFest on Friday June 13
BikeFest is WABA's annual fundraiser and celebration of bicycling. The big event is Friday, June 13 at Eastern Market in DC. From WABA's BikeFest page:
DATE: Friday, June 13, 2014
TIME: 8 p.m. to Midnight
LOCATION: Eastern Market North Hall
TICKETS: $45 for WABA members; $55 for the public.
Can you imagine what it would be like without the Capital Crescent Trail, Beach Drive closed to cars on weekends or bike access on Metrorail and bus? Can you imagine how the region might have developed without an organization dedicated to making sure that bicycling is part of the transportation solution?
Join us for
- A one night Biketopia exhibit of bicycling undone: an artistic showcase of beautiful and idealistic bicycle infrastructure and design
- Silent auction featuring desirable packages & experiences
- A live band & dancing, with local jazz music by The Greater U St Jazz Collective
- Libations (ticket price includes 2 drink tickets)
- Food (a fancy buffet, courtesy of our sponsor Chipotle) & desserts
BikeFest is WABA’s opportunity to raise the funds needed to continue our advocacy, outreach and education efforts. Join us at BikeFest 2014 and you can help fund the expansion of trail networks, bike lanes, bikesharing and safer streets. Buy tickets here.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Report on WABA Women & Bicycles Fairfax Coffee Club at Caffe Amouri in Vienna on Friday
We received this report about the first Women & Bicycles Coffee Club meeting in Vienna last week: |
| Coffee Club participants. Note the bike rack in the background donated by bikes@vienna |
Five of us met for about an hour and one of our members biked all the way from Del Ray on the far side of Alexandria to join us! (She wanted to get some miles in!) Two of the ladies figured out they have the same enthusiasm, interest and pace to ride road bikes together in the future. It was a super meeting.
Next week's meeting will be Friday, June 13 from 7:30-8:30am. Maybe we can fill the place with women who love bikes!
Labels: waba, women and bicycles
Monday, June 2, 2014
WABA Women & Bicycles Coffee Club - Fairfax
WABA's Women & Bicycles program event in Fairfax. Here are details:
Friday, June 6, 7:30 a.m.
Caffe Amouri
107 Church St. NE, Vienna, Virginia 22180
What's better than coffee with friends before heading in to work? Meet us this week in Vienna, VA. Unless otherwise indicated, WABA Women & Bicycles events are open to those who identify as women.
Women & Bicycles is WABA's outreach program designed to get more women in the D.C. area on bikes. It is based on 10 Roll Models, selected by WABA, reaching out to 10 women in their personal networks who don't bike to encourage and inspire them to ride for transportation. Women & Bicycles is generously supported by the League of American Bicycles and WABA's donors."
Labels: waba, women and bicycles
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Post article on WABA bike safety classes and local efforts to improve cycling conditions
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| Photo: Washington Post |
WABA's bicycle education program is featured in the first part of the article. Our parent organization is doing a great job teaching safe cycling skills in DC, Arlington Co, and Montgomery Co., with affordable or free classes that fill up on a regular basis.
[Dan] Hoagland [WABA's education coordinator] and his 40 part-time instructors teach people to ride “with the most knowledge and forethought, and to bring their entire perspective and attention to it.”
The instruction is not about the bicyclist alone, he noted. “Everything from where you position yourself in the lane to the body language you use communicates to drivers. You can actually prevent crashes and influence driver behavior.”
“It’s when bicyclists do things that are unexpected and act unpredictably, I feel, that the conflict arises.”
Enrollment is steadily increasing, Hoagland said. “A lot of folks have had a bad experience out there. A lot of them don’t know if it was caused by their actions or not. They just had a close call, and they want to know what they do to prevent that from happening.”
The second part of the article highlights the investments that Arlington and DC are making to make cycling more accessible to everyone:
The instruction is not about the bicyclist alone, he noted. “Everything from where you position yourself in the lane to the body language you use communicates to drivers. You can actually prevent crashes and influence driver behavior.”
“It’s when bicyclists do things that are unexpected and act unpredictably, I feel, that the conflict arises.”
Enrollment is steadily increasing, Hoagland said. “A lot of folks have had a bad experience out there. A lot of them don’t know if it was caused by their actions or not. They just had a close call, and they want to know what they do to prevent that from happening.”
In addition to helping teach people to bike, Arlington has added routes to make biking safer. The county has “about 50 miles of off-street trails, 36 miles of bike lanes and 78 miles of recommended street routes,” Leach said. “We’re also going to be doing our first protected bike lane in Pentagon City and Crystal City.”
In the District, the first local jurisdiction to create protected lanes, a new one recently opened on M Street, boosting the well-used “cycle tracks,” as they are sometimes called, on 15th and L streets and Pennsylvania Avenue, all in Northwest.
One more sign of how popular bicycling is becoming in our area.In the District, the first local jurisdiction to create protected lanes, a new one recently opened on M Street, boosting the well-used “cycle tracks,” as they are sometimes called, on 15th and L streets and Pennsylvania Avenue, all in Northwest.
Labels: daniel hoagland, waba, washington post
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Three foot passing bill goes into effect July 1
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| On July 1 Virginia will too! |
This is a major victory for Virginia Bicycling Federation, WABA, and everyone else who worked to get this bill passed, including FABB supporters who contacted their legislators during the session (see the FABB three feet to pass coverage). Thanks to everyone for their hard work.
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| Dangerous pass. Note bike wheel in lower left corner of photo. |
Why not celebrate early and encourage everyone to allow three feet or more to pass bicyclists (unlike the driver of the truck and trailer seen in the photo at the right taken today in Reston).
Labels: three feet to pass, virginia bicycling federation, waba
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Street Harassment Workshop
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| Photo: Washington Post |
Recently, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association partnered with Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS) in the District to give cyclists a safe place to vent and discuss harassment prevention and empowerment strategies, said Nelle Pierson, WABA’s coordinator of outreach programs.
“A lot of women start biking because it is empowering, but also because they can just get away from a situation,” said Zosia Sztykowski, 28, of Columbia Heights, the lead outreach coordinator for CASS, a grassroots organization dedicated to building awareness and ending sexual assault and harassment on the streets. The organization produces a blog that curates women’s experiences with street harassment. “A lot of people think street harassment happens just to them and that they’re alone,” she said.
Sztykowski said there are several methods to engage the harasser, including employing a response such as: “Stop harassing people. I don’t like it. No one likes it. Show some respect.”
Bystanders can help by confronting or distracting the perpetrator or seeking help from law enforcement on the victim’s behalf. Often, bystanders avoid getting involved because they worry that they have misread the situation, think someone else will step in to help or believe that the target attracted the negative attention due to some fault of his or her own, according to Strange.
“A lot of women start biking because it is empowering, but also because they can just get away from a situation,” said Zosia Sztykowski, 28, of Columbia Heights, the lead outreach coordinator for CASS, a grassroots organization dedicated to building awareness and ending sexual assault and harassment on the streets. The organization produces a blog that curates women’s experiences with street harassment. “A lot of people think street harassment happens just to them and that they’re alone,” she said.
Sztykowski said there are several methods to engage the harasser, including employing a response such as: “Stop harassing people. I don’t like it. No one likes it. Show some respect.”
Bystanders can help by confronting or distracting the perpetrator or seeking help from law enforcement on the victim’s behalf. Often, bystanders avoid getting involved because they worry that they have misread the situation, think someone else will step in to help or believe that the target attracted the negative attention due to some fault of his or her own, according to Strange.
Labels: harassment, waba, women and bicycles
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
DC passes Bicycle Safety Amendment Act
Kudos to WABA for their work in getting the Bicycle Safety Amendment Act passed in DC. The bill will require motorists to "yield to a person operating a bicycle." The penalty for "colliding with a bicyclist while failing to yield"is six points and a fine of $500. Several other provisions are included in the bill. From WABA's report on passage of the bill:
On Oct. 17, the D.C. Council passed the Bicycle Safety Amendment Act of 2013. It was then signed into law by Mayor Vince Gray and will be submitted to Congress for a 30-day legislative review.
This is a great victory for bicyclists in D.C. Among the many new provisions in the law, its signature component introduces two new driving infractions with appropriate penalties to protect bicyclists as vulnerable road users.
This legislation also amends and updates sections of the D.C. municipal regulations as they relate to bicycling in the city. The Bicycle Safety Amendment Act of 2013 makes the following updates or amendments:
- Bicyclists’ use of leading pedestrian intervals: Bicyclists can get the same head start as pedestrians at signalized intersections, where pedestrians are given few extra seconds to start crossing a street. Also allowing bicyclists the opportunity to get into the intersection before cars makes them more visible to drivers.
- Bicycle and pedestrian detours: The mayor will be able to require permits obtained from the District Department of Transportation for projects that block sidewalks, bike lanes, or other pedestrian or bicycle paths to provide safe accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Aligns bicyclists’ crash infractions with a similar pedestrian one: The bill adds “failure to yield” and “colliding with a bicyclist while failing to yield” infractions, similar to current pedestrian infractions. The penalty for “failing to yield” to a bicyclist would be three points points and a fine of $250. “Colliding with a person riding a bicycle” would be six points and a fine of $500.
- Ability to make an audible noise: The bill modifies the law that requires all bicycles to be equipped with a bell, instead requiring all bicycle riders to “be capable of making a warning noise either with a bell or mechanical device, or with his or her voice, audible for a distance of at least one hundred feet.” It also removes a section prohibiting bicyclists from a making a noise within the established quiet zones (Title 18 Section 1204.7)
You can read the full text of the law (B20-0140) on the DC Council website (PDF).
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association thanks Councilmember Mary Cheh for her leadership on this bill and the many co-sponsors who supported this critical effort. Washington, D.C., is becoming a national leader in bicycling and this new law helps protect the many new people who choose to use a bicycle for transportation, recreation, or fitness.
Labels: bicycle safety amendment act, waba
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Tour de Fat is this Saturday!
Join bicyclists from around the DC Metro area for Tour de Fat on Saturday. FABB will be greeting attendees at the ID/Wristband booth. This is an opportunity to support FABB, WABA, and other local bike non-profits and raise funds for our advocacy works. Bike valet will be provided.The day kicks off with a bicycle parade at 11 a.m. (registration and check-in begins at 10 a.m.). Costumes are highly encouraged. The beer starts flowing at Noon. There will be music and entertainment, merchandise sales, a bicycle pit, and local shops and nonprofits staffing interactive tables and booths from Noon to 5 p.m.
See WABA's Tour de Fat page for more details. See you at the festival.
Labels: tour de fat, waba
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Bike to Work Day on Friday
MWCOG tracks the numbers of bike commuters over the years and each year the number grows. Last year over 12,500 cyclists signed up for the event and it looks like that record will be broken this year.
FABB will have reps at most of the Fairfax pit stops. As a sponsored project of WABA, we'll also be representing them by selling discounted memberships. Look for FABB reps at your Fairfax pit stop and if you're not on our newsletter/advocacy list you can sign up with them (or just send us a note asking to be added to the list).
Labels: bike to work day, waba
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Roll Models
Today's Post contains a good article on WABA's Women & Bicycles program: |
| Women & Bicycles Rock Creek Park ride Photo: Washington Post |
No one had ever tried to do much about the disparity, says Carolyn Szczepanski, spokeswoman for the League of American Bicyclists, which is helping fund the effort. But no one knew what to do. “We’re not a homogenous group, and there’s no silver-bullet solution. It’s not like none of us gets helmet hair, and everything’s solved,” she says.
After a whole lot of forums, surveys and fundraising, WABA has come up with a plan based on the Mary Kay model. Ten women have been selected as “Roll Models.” Their job is to coax friends and acquaintances who haven’t been biking to attend a themed dinner party. Over beer and burritos, they’ll dive into a women’s bicycling workbook.
Labels: league of american bicyclists, waba, women and bicycles
Monday, April 29, 2013
Regional Bike to School Day press release
Bicycling organizations in the Greater Washington area promote
National Bike to School Day on May 8th.
April 29, 2013.Multiple organizations in the Greater Washington area join together with schools from around the country to celebrate National Bike to School Day on May 8 2013. Thousands of students throughout the area will be riding or walking to school along with parents, teachers and community leaders.
Leaders from the Washington Area Bicycle Association, BikeArlington, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, TrailsforYouth, Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition and the Greater Washington DC Region Safe Routes to School Network, all encourage parents to leave their cars in the driveway and join their children in riding to school on May 8th.
To date over 70 schools in the Greater Washington DC region have signed up to participate in National Bike to School Day. More are expected as the day gets closer and are encouraged to register their school at www.walkbiketoschool.org.
Julie Childers, Executive Director for TrailsforYouth.Org who has been implementing SRTS programs locally for over 5 years has this to say, "It's fantastic to see such interest and involvement within the Metro DC communities for promoting biking to school. I hope that we see continued grow and more kids safely riding their bikes to school."
Bike to School Day encourages a nationwide bike-focused celebration for students in the month of May and builds on the popularity and success of International Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the country – and the world – each October.
“BikeArlington and WalkArlington have been coordinating with Arlington Public Schools and the response has been tremendous. All Arlington elementary, middle and high schools will be celebrating biking and walking to school on May 8”, says Chris Eatough of BikeArlington.
Bike to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for bicycling and walking and emphasize the importance of increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.
Christine Green of the Greater Washington DC Safe Routes to School Network say “National Bike to School Day is an opportunity for schools and families to learn how easy it is to make the trip to school active and safe. Students who are physically active are healthier and perform better academically. What a better way to start the day than with a bike ride even a few days a week!”
For additional information, please visit these websites or contact Christine Green at christine@saferoutespartnership.org.
Walk and Bike to School Day
National Center for Safe Routes to School
Greater Washington DC Region Safe Routes to School Network
Labels: bikearlington, greater washington regional network, prince william trails and streams coalition, trails for youth, waba
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Learning to ride a bike
Uneasy riders: Adults trying to get steady on 2 wheels is the title of a front page article in today's Washington Post (with a different online title). Many adults never learned to ride a bike. Now that cycling has become more popular, many of those adults are signing up for "learn to ride" classes. This spring WABA is holding 14 very popular adult-only Learn to Ride classes in DC, Arlington, and Alexandria. Similar classes are also offered at local REI stores.The technique used involves removing the pedals and lowering the seat so that students can gradually learn to balance and steer the bike. Once balance is learned, one and then both pedals are replaced. It takes a surprisingly short amount of time for adults to learn this skill that can be used throughout their lives.
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| Photo: Washington Post |
“It’s the best part of my job,” Hoagland said.
Anthony Mansell, 25, a climate change activist who lives near U Street in Northwest Washington, grew up in a rural part of Wales where he never learned to ride.
“It’s such an oddly good feeling,” he said, beaming, as he pedaled slowly by. “It’s not been fun to dread the day someone says ‘Let’s go on a bike ride.’ ”
Mansell plans to sign up for Capital Bikeshare, which allows users to check out bicycles from stations around the region. Several students mentioned the wildly popular program (it passed 4 million rides earlier this week), as well as other spokes of the bicycle boom that has enveloped Washington in the past decade. The District has gone from three miles of dedicated bike lanes in 2001 to 56 miles today. The percentage of workers commuting by bike has tripled in that time.
Labels: learn to ride, rei, waba
