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Notes from Day Two

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This morning we heard from Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood about the future of bicycling in America. It was early morning east coast time, even earlier if you take ito account the time change, yet LaHood was able to offer some inspiring words before we take to Capitol Hill tomorrow and meet with our elected officials.

A good transportation bill, is a good jobs bill.

Our goal here in DC is to ask for continued, dedicated funding for biking & walking, LaHood is right there with us:

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Read more about his words this morning on his own site here.

We’ll have more updates from the rest of the day soon enough! Twitter has been the place where a lot of acivity is happening here at the Bike Summit, follow us on there to see updates we’re sharing from other groups too.

Bike Summit Opening Night

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Another record breaking year, with over 800 people this year at the National Bike Summit! So many dedicated people in one place, so much to share, we can’t wait…

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We’re Going to Washington DC!

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Next week, the Coalition Staff will is braving the cold and heading to Washington DC for the 2012 National Bike Summit, a gathering of bicycle organizations from all over the country. We will be advocating for biking and walking, and sharing your voice with our elected officials in DC.

Our message is clear: preserve dedicated funding for biking and walking. As more people choose these active modes to move around, it’s important we provide safe facilities for everyone.

You can follow our progress here on the blog to stay up to date with what we’re up to all the way across the country. We’re out there making sure your voice is heard!

If you want to add you voice to hundreds of others as we head to DC, become a member! We are proud to be YOUR voice representing bicycles in DC, and couldn’t do it without you.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=likinty_d_g&list=UUXG6ch0MLjYShVmOln9PKKw&index=16&feature=plcp]

Advocacy Alert

Morro Bay Bike Plan Moves Forward

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Last week, the Morro Bay Planning Commission unanimously approved the latest draft of the Bike and Pedestrian Plan. Next week, Tuesday February 28th, the plan heads to the City Council for a final vote!

We’ll be there on Tuesday night to show our support for the plan, and hope to see you there too! It’s been a great process for you bicycle & pedestrian supporters in Morro Bay, and we’re almost done in getting the plan approved. We hope to see you there as we ask for final approval from the City Council, it’ll be fun!

When: Tuesday, February 28, 6:00 pm
Where: Veteran’s Memorial Building, 209 Surf St, Morro Bay (map)

A Bike and Pedestrian Plan is essential for a community to be eligible for federal funding for future projects. Not only does the plan provide guidelines for bike and pedestrian projects, but it also opens the door for more diverse funding sources to make them a reality.

Biking Saves Billions in Health Costs

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It seems like we’re seeing more and more articles these days about bicycles and health (and many other articles connecting bicycles with the topics of today). But recently a study was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives which puts numbers with the benefits associated with more bicycle trips.

Researchers found that if inhabitants of the sample region switched to bikes for half of their short trips, they’d create a net societal health benefit of $3.5 billion per year from the increase in air quality and $3.8 billion in savings from smaller health care costs…

Yet another reason bicycles are great! View the article on GOOD.is here.

If you think bicycles are a great solution to many problems also, join the Coalition! It’s the way to have YOUR voice counted when we advocate for bicycles on the local, state and national level.

CA Bike Summit

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This weekend has been full of inspiring ideas from the movers & shakers in the bicycle world, on local, state, and national levels.

We’re on the right track in SLO County, and couldn’t do it without your love & support! Bikes are on the edge of a BIG renaissance, and we all benefit from it.

As today’s the last day, we’ll be giving you an recap of what went down in the next couple days. In the meantime, here are some pics:
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Advocacy Alert

SLO Named Silver Bike Friendly Community

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The League of American Bicyclists recently gave San Luis Obispo the distinction of being a SILVER Bicycle Friendly Community!

The BFC award recognizes City of San Luis Obispo’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. The BFC judges were particularly impressed with San Luis Obispo’s partnership with the Coalition, free bicycle education workshops, increases in the mileage of bicycle facilities, offerings of bicycle parking, a strong community bicycle culture, and many more.

“We are proud of the roadmap that the Bicycle Friendly Community program provides and how San Luis Obispo is using it to build a Silver Level BFC,” said Bill Nesper, Director of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program. “We are inspired by the tireless efforts of individuals and groups, from everyday cyclists to city leaders to build great communities for bicycling.”

The application to become a BFC is rigorous and an educational tool in itself; only 190 of the 490 total applicants received a BFC four-year designation.

Special thanks to everyone in the City staff and residents who help make San Luis Obispo a great place to bike. Next step: another SLO County city on the BFC list!

You can read a little bit more about the announcement from KSBY here.

Advocacy Alert

Bicycle & Pedestrian Funding Under Attack

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This year, around $700 million of Federal transportation funds, (less than 2 percent of total transportation dollars) will be spent on bicycling and walking.  In 2012 that figure could be A BIG FAT ZERO. Show our leaders that bicyclists are voters too!

Join the Coalition, our state and national partners and call your Senator to let them know you support CONTINUED FUNDING FOR BIKING AND WALKING. The League of American Bicyclists has a simple site to find out who your Senator is, and allows you to easily contact them. We ask that you take just a moment and contact your Senator TODAY.

We have created a simple infographic to outline the importance of this issue, feel free to share with your friends and family: