DISCOVER YOUR LOCAL BICYCLING COMMUNITY
Find local advocacy groups, bike shops, instructors, clubs, classes and more!
Release: Hundreds to Unite to Tell Congress that Bicycling Means Business
For our friends in the media…
Washington, D.C. — March 1, 2013 — Last summer, Congress passed a transportation bill that slashed dedicated funding for bicycling projects and programs. But next week, hundreds of bike advocates, industry leaders and cycling enthusiasts will gather for the 2013 National Bike Summit to tell Congress that Bicycling Means Business.
Hosted by the League — March 4-6, 2013 — the National Bike Summit will showcase how bicycles are propelling healthy, cost-effective solutions for community vitality and economic development nationwide. Highlighting the powerful, bipartisan and growing support for bicycling at all levels, the Summit will feature top transportation and government leaders including:
- U.S. Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood
- New York City Transportation Commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan
- Yolanda Cade, Managing Director of Public Relations for AAA
- Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)
- Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
- Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard
This year, the Summit comes at a key moment — as Congress contemplates steep budget cuts, bicycle ridership and fatalities are on the rise, and the new transportation law, MAP-21, is being implemented.
“The new transportation law requires the U.S. Department of Transportation set performance measures — or specific targets — for roadway safety,” says League President, Andy Clarke. “To address the rising number of bicyclists and pedestrian fatalities that now account for almost 16% of all traffic fatalities — up from 12% just a few years ago — we’re asking that DOT set a national goal that ensures every state work to improve the safety of people who walk and bike.
The number of bicyclist and pedestrian deaths has risen for the past two years, while overall traffic deaths has dropped dramatically.
“The good news is that bicycling and walking are on the rise nationwide — but the bad news is fatalities are also rising,” says Caron Whitaker, the League’s Vice President of Government Relations. “Against that backdrop, we need a specific national goal to reduce bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities — and hundreds of Americans will bring that message to Capitol Hill at the National Bike Summit.”
The National Bike Summit will be held at the Renaissance Washington (999 9th Street NW, Washington, D.C.) on March 4 and 5, and moves to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, March 6. See the full agenda at: https://bikeleague.org/conferences/summit13/
Onsite registration will be available for participants and media is invited to attend. To interview participants from your city or state, please contact Carolyn Szczepanski, League Communications Director, at (202) 355-3048 or [email protected].