A look back at 2017

Thanks to all who have followed and supported the League during 2017! It’s been a productive year, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

First, a few numbers from our Bicycle Friendly America program:

• 400+ Bicycle Friendly Communities
• 1,100+ Bicycle Friendly Businesses
• representing all 50 states, employing nearly 800,000 people
• 150+ Bicycle Friendly Universities
• representing all 50 states, enrolling 3.3 million students
• All 50 states engaged with our Bicycle Friendly State program

We’d like to offer a special thanks to our 18,000 individual and family members as well as our 130,000 advocacy action subscribers.

Our organizational members include 1,000+ advocacy organizations and clubs and 500+ bike shops and businesses.

More 2017 Highlights from our blog:

In October, Bill Nesper was appointed Executive Director, and Ralph Monti was chosen as new Board Chair. In November, members elected new and returning Board members, who will join the League Board in 2018. 

Advocacy

With your support, the USDOT acknowledged that biking and walking have a role to play in reducing congestion and improving air quality. Throughout the federal budget process, we kept you up-to-date with the latest on how biking might be affected.

In our fourth edition of “Where We Ride: An Analysis of Bicycling in American Cities,” we took a look at data on bicycle commuters throughout the country, based on new data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. We also contributed to a report released by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association.

Funding for bicycling did face some challenges this year. We let you know about the Woodall Amendment as well as the elimination of the bicycle commuter benefit.

We will continue to keep you up-to-date on how you can take action at: https://bikeleague.org/TakeAction.

Bicycle Friendly America program

In April, August and December we saw new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses joining the ranks of 1,119 BFBs. New Bicycle Friendly Communities were welcomed in May and November, bringing the total number of BFCs to 430. In November, 46 new and renewing BFUs were awarded, with 182 BFUs now in 45 states and D.C.

In October, we released our Bicycle Friendly State ranking. You can find out how your state placed here.

National Bike Summit

We would like to thank everyone who joined us at the 2017 National Bike Summit. Highlights from last year are available here and #NBS17 photos and presentation are available here.

We have another stellar Summit planned for March 5–7, 2018, in Washington, D.C. You can see an overview of the #NBS18 schedule here.

2018 #BikeLobbyDay is Wednesday, March 7. We’ll give you the materials to talk to your elected officials then and to follow up after, like we do every year!

Please join us at the 2018 National Bike Summit! Register by January 10 to take advantage of the early bird discount!

Education

In August, our League Cycling Coaches met at a workshop in Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community Fort Collins, CO. In our blog, in our Bicycle Friendly America magazine and on social media, we shared stories of the work our League Cycling Instructors are doing, like the LCI who developed a bikeshare program for state employees in Sacramento, CA.

Speaking of social media, if you aren’t already, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And don’t forget to check our our Bicycle Friendly America magazine. The latest issue can always be found at bikeleague.org/bfamag.

Thanks for your support in 2017. Wishing you a healthy and happy 2018!