Greater Philadelphia Bicycle News

Thunderhead Alliance Honors Most Courageous in Advocacy

LAS VEGAS, NV - At the Interbike show this past week the Thunderhead Alliance honored those who have shown courage toward greater advocacy efforts. Their 2003 Courage in Advocacy Awards went to 16 winners for their efforts to support effective advocacy at the grassroots level.

Planet Bike earned one of the top awards for their pledge of $50,000 in 2004 to support Thunderhead's new 50/50 Project that will build effective bicycle advocacy organizations in all 50 states and the 50 top population metropolitan areas. Upon receiving the award, Planet Bike CEO Bob Downs
said, "The bike industry must recognize that effective advocacy happens at
the state and local level. As one of the smallest suppliers, we hope our
pledge of $50,000 to 50/50 will set the bar much higher for industry
support to the Thunderhead Alliance."

Velo News was another top winner for making this national coalition the sole beneficiary of their Evening with Graham Watson and Bob Roll event on November 14 at the Metreon in San Francisco. "I had only spoken to their Velo Swap director, Dave Whittingham, once before," said Sue Knaup,
Thunderhead's executive director, "when he called to give me the great
news. Velo News has shown true courage by pledging all proceeds of this fine
event to our 50/50 Project."

Not all winners received their awards for direct support of Thunderhead.
Marianne Fowler, senior vice president of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, received hers for her courage in the recent grassroots fight to save the Transportation Enhancements program. Weeks before the landslide victory
when hope was thin, she flew to Wisconsin for a personal meeting with
Congressman Thomas Petri. As a direct result of this meeting, he introduced the
amendment that resulted in full restoration of this critical program that
brings funding to bicycle and pedestrian projects.

The other three top winners were Breezer for their courage in building
transportation bikes to serve everyday riding, the National Bicycle Dealers
Association for their partnership efforts with Thunderhead to connect
dealers with Thunderhead member organizations, and the National Center for
Bicycling and Walking for their ongoing courageous support for Thunderhead.

Other honorees were BTI, Burley Design, Fuji America, Hans Johnsen Co.,
Hawley Co., Interbike, Quality Bicycle Products, USA Cycling, Trek and
Wilson Bicycle Sales.

The Thunderhead Alliance is the only unified coalition of state and local
bicycle advocacy organizations. They operate on the principle that
effective
advocacy must be a coordinated effort at the grassroots level. Their 88
member organizations represent 42 states and one province.

For more information, please contact Sue Knaup, Executive Director:
928-541-9841 or sue@thunderheadalliance.org

Sue Knaup
Executive Director
Thunderhead Alliance
928-541-9841
http://www.thunderheadalliance.org
P.O. Box 3309
Prescott, AZ 86302