February 2009
In This Issue:
Support Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects in the Economic Recovery Bill
The House and the Senate have each passed their own version of the Economic Recovery Bill, aimed at creating jobs and stimulating the economy. Both bills include billions for transportation infrastructure, but only the House bill includes funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects in the Transportation Enhancements program. The House bill includes approximately $1.35 billion for Transportation Enhancements of which 50-60% is traditionally spent on bicycle and pedestrian projects. The Senate bill does not explicitly include Transportation Enhancements, so it's unclear whether this funding will be in the final bill.
We need to make sure Transportation Enhancement funding is in the final bill.
This week there will be a conference committee where several members of the House and several members of the Senate will work together to reconcile the two bills. Conferees need to hear that Transportation Enhancements are important to stimulating the economy, creating green jobs, and moving us towards a sustainable future.
[insert link here for calling here]
Please call your senators and representative and ask them to tell the Conferees to support Transportation Enhancements in the Economic Recovery bill.
Tell them:
- Bicycle and pedestrian projects create jobs at the same or better rate than highway projects.
- These smaller projects can move quickly to hire local businesses and help local economies.
- Providing safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian access gives families healthier and cheaper transportation options.
- Improving sidewalks and bike lanes can make a downtown a destination further helping the local economy.
- Better biking and walking options also help ensure greater energy independence, less pollution, and a healthier United States!
Hello From the New ED
by Kevin Hardman, BFW Executive Director
I am elated to have been chosen as the new executive director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. The members, the board and the staff have built up, through the years, an amazing organization. I stand on your shoulders and plan to lead the BFW towards continued success and an even more exciting future.
I have lived in Wisconsin just short of two years but with each passing month I am savoring Wisconsin's rich cycling culture.
What amazing assets we hold! Madison, our capital, is an internationally-recognized capital of cycling, proving that bike transportation can be safe, accessible and convenient. Our state has varied and widespread bike enthusiasts, from urban, bike messengers to hard-core racers, from trail riders to transportation cyclists, from kids who yearn to tear off the training wheels to summer tour riders. Wisconsin has many active, passionate and engaged biking advocates and expert practitioners knowledgeable in trail construction, urban bike networks and cutting-edge bike facility design.
Wisconsin has a long history of supporting successful races and race series. We have an unparalleled bike industry which employs our residents to design and build bikes, bike accessories, and apparel that is sold around the world. We have some of the country's largest bike retailers and wonderful, niche bikes shops, all of whom work hard to advocate for cycling in their communities and in turn inspire great loyalty among their customers.
Long-active summer tours give thousands of people the opportunity to enjoy our greatest asset, Wisconsin's vast, diverse natural beauty. And thanks to our state's well-developed, interconnected, rural road network, this beauty is accessible to anyone who wants to hop on a bike.
The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin is here to support anyone who's inspired to jump on a bike. We also want to inspire more people to cycle and advocate for safe, comfortable places to ride.
I obviously still have much to learn about Wisconsin and about the challenges and opportunities we face. I look forward to meeting you, our members, soon and hearing your thoughts about the future. Together we are going to make Wisconsin one of the best places on earth to be on a bike.
Love Your Bike 2009
Please join us and your fellow cycling fanatics for an evening of food, beverages and great silent auction prizes at the 2009 Love Your Bike party. The event will take place on Friday, February 12, from 7-11 PM at the Lakefront Brewery in Downtown Milwaukee.
To purchase your tickets online, please click here:
For full details, including maps and directions, please visit out web site.
2009 National Bike Summit
The 2009 National Bike Summit will take place from March 10-12 in Washington DC. Once again, the BFW will be taking a lead role in coordinating the activities of the Wisconsin delegation.
For more information on the summit, please visit the web page of the League of American Bicyclists. Secure online registration is available there, as well as information on transportation, logistics and hotels.
New Organizational Members
Thank you to all of January's new BFW Organizational Members! Please help us welcome these new Organizational Members by thanking them for their support and rewarding them with your business.
Platinum Level
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Racine Cyclery Inc, Racine, WI www.racinecyclery.com
Bronze Level
- Chain Reaction Cyclery, Appleton, WI www.chainreactioncycleryllc.com
- Wildside Adventure Sports, Baraboo, WI www.wildbaraboo.com
- Trailside Cycle, Big Bend, WI www.trailsidecycle.com
- Chain of Lakes Cyclery, Eagle River, WI
- Fond du Lac Cyclery & Fitness, Fond du Lac, WI www.oshkoshcyclery.com
- Brone's Bike Shop, Fountain City, WI www.bronesbikeshop.com
- Raymond School District, Franksville, WI www.raymond.k12.wi.us
- JB Cycle & Sport, Green Bay, WI
- Highbridge Hills Sports Complex, Highbridge, WI www.highbridgehillssc.com
- Cyclesmith LLC, New Berlin, WI www.cyclesmith.net
- Blue Heron Bicycle Works LLC, Onalaska, WI www.blueheronbikes.com
- Oshkosh Cyclery & Fitness, Oshkosh, WI www.oshkoshcyclery.com
- The Prairie Peddler, Prairie du Chien, WI www.theprairiepeddler.blogspot.com
- Oneida County Biking & Walking Trails Council, Inc., Rhinelander, WI www.bikeoneida.com
- Pedal & Cup, Springfield, WI www.pedalandcup.com
- Trek Store of Wausau, Wausau, WI www.stadiumbike.com
The BFW is Hiring Bike/Walk Instructors
BIKE/WALK Instructors work as seasonal assistant instructors with the Safe Routes to School program.The goal of Safe Routes to School is to increase the number and safety of children walking and biking to school. During the school year (spring and fall), BIKE/WALK Instructors will work with elementary schools to educate and encourage the children to bike and walk to school. During the summer, the program focuses on bicycling around their neighborhoods and BIKE/WALK Instructors will teach and supervise a series of Bike Camps throughout the summer. The classes in both sections of the program are in depth and teach kids how to bicycle safely on city streets.
This is a part-time position with no benefits. 20-35 hrs/wk from April 20th thru October with the possibility of rehire
for the next year. Hours will generally be scheduled between 9am and 6pm on
weekdays. All necessary training will be paid.
COMPENSATION: $10 per hour.
DEADLINE: Applications must be received by March 6th, 2009.
*TO APPLY:* MAIL OR EMAIL RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO:
Jacob Newborn, Project Coordinator
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
1845 N Farwell, Suite 100
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Questions can be directed to 414-271-9685, or by e-mail