Support Our D.C. Lobbying by Calling Your Reps and Senators Today

Today Alex, John, Sarah, Megan, and Katie are joining two dozen other Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents and hundreds of people from around the country on Capitol Hill to speak with their elected officials about bicycling and walking. It's part of the National Bike Summit, and one of the many ways the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is working to improve the safety and accessibility of bicycling and walking in our region.

You can help today's efforts by calling your D.C. Senators and Representatives today and encouraging them to co-sponsor these three pro-bicycling bills:

1. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act (HR 3494 | S 1708)
2. The Safe Streets Act (HR 2468 | S 2004)
3. The New Opportunities for Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Act (HR 3978)

You can learn what the first two bills do in the graphics embedded below.  A factsheet for the third bill is here.

Contact info for your elected officials:

• Sen. Bob Casey (PA): DC Office: 202-224-6324
• Sen. Pat Toomey (PA): DC Office: 202-224-4254
• Sen. Cory Booker (NJ): DC Office: 202-224-3224
• Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ): DC Office: 202-224-4744
• Find the contact info for your U.S. Representative using this razzle dazzle fancy Internet website contraption machine.

Imagine sitting at home, pondering dinner, and feeling like you haven't ordered pizza in who-knows-how-long. Then simultaneously one friend shows up at your door suggesting you order some pizza, while another friend calls you on the phone asking if you'd like to order some pizza tonight.

That's the effect we're striving to have on our elected officials today. But replace "pizza" with "co-sponsoring legislation that makes bicycling safer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey."

Two fact sheets about bicycling in Pennsylvania and the bills to help it:

This is the document we're handing to PA and NJ Senators
and Representatives today in D.C. (click to embiggen)

And this is the second page of that document! (click to embiggen)

Support Alex, John, Sarah, Megan, Katie, and your neighbors and friends who are meeting today with lawmakers and their staffs.

Call your congressional offices and ask that your senators and representatives co-sponsor these three bills.

PA Voting on Transportation Today - Speak Up For Biking, Walking, and Transit!

After more than a year of negotiation, stalling, and jockeying, the House Assembly is going to vote this week on a transportation bill, paving the way for the Senate to follow up and the Governor to sign a bill. The final product of this week's votes will determine if bicycling, walking, and public transit are part of Pennsylvania's future, or tossed out the back door like mopwater.

A metaphorical representation of PA transportation
without a proper funding bill.

The PA House is expected to consider, as soon as this afternoon, an amendment to HB 106 sponsored by Representative Micozzie (R-163). This amendment will create a $2.3 billion transportation funding bill that repairs our bridges, provides for public transit statewide, and for the first time ever recognizes and funds bicycling and walking.

It will be all too easy to strip bicycling and walking out of the bill as "frivolous expenditures nobody wants." House Assembly members need to hear from you that safe walking and biking are important. Tell your Representative to vote YES on Rep. Micozzie's amendment.

In the 21st century, transportation does not begin and end with highways. We need a comprehensive transportation bill that makes bicycling and walking in Pennsylvania safer and more accessible. Funding does that, and this is our best chance to get bicycling and walking respected and acknowledged in our state's transportation funding. The House may vote on Rep. Micozzie's amendment to HB106 as soon as this afternoon; e-mail or call your House Representative today and tell them to vote for the amendment!

Thank you for speaking up for biking and walking!

p.s If you want to call your legislator - use this handy site to find his/her contact information

Harrisburg Update: Vote is Delayed but Some Consensus is Emerging

Regular readers of our blog know that we've been heavily involved in the Harrisburg debate around a transportation bill. Several times we've thought the state legislature was close to a vote, only to have the vote pushed back.

The latest news that emerged yesterday is both good and bad: the four legislative caucuses are actively negotiating (which is progress), but this means that no vote will happen before mid-November (another delay).

Your grandparents remind you to wipe your feet on the mat
and call your state representatives

Another delay is worrisome. However, while a very contentious issue (prevailing wage) is preventing a vote this week, at least the major players are at the table negotiating. Setting aside prevailing wage, we are encouraged that a consensus is emerging around the minimum level of funding required for an acceptable bill, and we think that that funding will include a dedicated fund for biking and walking. We are also optimistic that SEPTA will get an amount of money it can live with.

Thank you to the hundreds of people who have already contacted their PA State Reps about the importance to Pennsylvania's future of a well-funded, multi-modal (ie, all types of transportation, not just highways) transportation system. Like grandparents' advice, such sentiments can always be repeated. So we encourage you to contact your PA elected officials and remind them that a comprehensive transportation funding package is important for the entire commonwealth, and that transportation means trains, bikes, and sidewalks too.

Urgent! Tell Your PA House Rep to Support Transportation Funding

Pick your cliche: it's now or never; it's do-or-die time; time to cowboy up, give 110% percent, leave it all on the field and dance with the horse that brought you.

Early next week, the Pennsylvania House is going to vote on a transportation bill. This is Pennsylvania's best shot to adequately fund transportation, including bicycling and walking projects, for the foreseeable future. We must act now.

As you may recall, last spring the Senate passed SB 1, provided $2.5B in funding. That bill is the best bill we could expect out of this transportation debate, and we need the House to pass an identical bill at that same $2.5 billion funding level.

House members need to hear from you that this bill is critical to making Pennsylvania's roads safer and its economic well being. Tell them that their vote on this issue is critically important to you as their constituent. No matter their party, every House member should vote for this bill if they have Pennsylvania's best interests at heart.

Please:

1. Send this e-mail action letter to your House representative.
2. Call your House Representative's office and deliver the same message: you are counting on them to vote YES on comprehensive transportation funding.

In order to fulfill the promise of Senate Bill 1 and build, not bastardize, Pennsylvania's future, the House bill must provide $2.5 billion in annual transportation funding, which includes:

• $495 million designated for public transit (read: SEPTA);
• A robust multi-modal fund of $80-$150 million annually, to which bicycle and pedestrian projects can apply for funding; and
• At least $2 million minimum in the multi-modal fund for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

This is a critically important moment in Pennsylvania for all forms of transportation. We need everyone to speak up for its importance. As Rina Cutler, Philadelphia's Deputy Mayor said this morning at a DVRPC board meeting: "We have one shot at this and no second chance." 

Federal Transportation Funding Update: House Punts, Senate May Start Voting Tomorrow

We received an update from the League of American Bicyclists this afternoon that things are in flux in Washington D.C. with respect to the Transportation Appropriations bills that are moving through the House and Senate.

The House pulled their bill and will take it up again in September. The Senate may take up voting on amendments tomorrow. We will keep you updated if any amendments to pull funding out of Transportation Alternatives (aka biking and walking projects) get offered. In the meantime, if you haven't e-mailed your Senators to ask them to support bicycling and walking, please do so now.

Prepare to Tweet Today to Beat Back Potential Attack on on Federal Bike Funding!

Each year Congress debates a series of appropriations bills that together make up the annual budget.  This week both the House and the Senate are debating the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations. 

Last week we reported on amendment 1742 by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky to strip funding for biking and walking in the Senate's version of the bill. We were able to alert you because his amendment was public as debate began.  Your emails and calls were part of 6,500 that Congress received, which prompted some key Senators on both sides to stand in opposition to the amendment.  If you haven't weighed in yet, please do so by send a quick email. The Senate takes up the bill again starting today.

WE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY IN THE HOUSE. 

The House of Representatives will be debating the Transportation, HUD Appropriations bill under an open rule, meaning anyone can introduce an amendment at any time. We are concerned we’ll see a copy cat amendment to Paul’s in the House

The House will be pulling an all-nighter tonight to talk transportation funding, and biking and walking dollars could be on the chopping block.

We are preparing for a late-night attack on biking and walking funding and we are asking for your help. Look for a Tweet later today from us @bcgp alerting you to an attack -- and asking you to Tweet at your members of Congress.  Don't know your Congressman's handle? Find it here.

The House will start the debate at 3:30 p.m. today with the goal of continuing until they finish.  This means we could see an amendment at 6 p.m. or as late as 3 a.m. —and with only an hour or so of notice. It also means that emails to the offices will likely sit unopened until after the vote.  We'll need to get folks to weigh in fast, and in a format that members and their staff see right away.

We are asking you to be prepared this afternoon/evening to tweet your member of Congress asking them to vote NO on any amendment that will harm funding for biking and walking.  We will post the amendment number, the name of the sponsor and the content of the amendment, as soon as we learn that an amendment has been introduced.    When we do, please retweet that message using your Representative's handle - and send it through your networks.  

We want to make sure Congress knows we’re watching, and that any late night attempt to cut Transportation Alternatives or otherwise harm biking and walking, will be protested by their constituents. Both the House and Senate go on a month-long recess on Friday so they need to finish this week. 

Be Part of the Circuit Commitment Campaign (There's Something Happening Here)

To appropriate Buffalo Springfield* (not the first time it's happened):

There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
Until I read that blog post right here
A tellin' me to put my hand in the air

It's time we STOP, bikers, what's that sound
Everybody look what needs more funding

Okay, we lost it there at the end. But there IS something happening here, and if you enjoy bicycling, running, or walking on beautiful trails, this is a call for you to raise your hand just like these trail supporters did in June:

June's Circuit Caucs meetings from New Jersey (left) and Pennsylvania (right). Not shown: Muppet Circuit Caucus

We have begun the Circuit Commitment Campaign, the goal of which is to harness public support to secure funding for new trails in our region.

You are the "public support" part of this equation. If you'd like to see the Schuylkill River Trail extended south, or bring the Chester Valley Trail into Lancaster County, or build the Delaware Heritage Trail in New Jersey (for example), here's what you can do:

• Sign the online Circuit petition and post it to your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
• Educate yourself on The Circuit and the campaign with this narrated presentation.
• Help our postcard campaign by distributing postcards to your church, favorite coffee shop, bike club, or other public space. E-mail us and we'll mail them to you.
• Add the Circuit take action button to your website and hyperlink it to the petition.
• Share this 400-word story about the campaign with your bicycle club, Friend of a Trail club, or outdoorsy listserv.

Background
In late June, trail supporters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey gathered together at two Circuit Caucus meetings to learn more about how they can help build the remaining 450 miles of The Circuit. At the meeting, we laid out the components of the Circuit Commitment campaign, which is working toward the goal of replenishing the region's trail fund with $10 million. We will be asking County officials who sit on the board of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to allocate $10 million toward trail planning, design and construction for trails in the nine counties that are part of The Circuit. We need to make the case to decision makers that there is widespread public support for trail funding.

So please - stop, bicyclists, hear this sound, everybody say why they love their trails. (*cue harmonica solo)

*UPDATE: this was originally cited as Dusty Springfield. This error is due in part to the blog editor (NM) being born in the 1980s. Sarah would not have gotten this wrong.

Tell Your Senators To Reject Rand Paul's Plan To Defund Bicycling and Walking

Oliver is sick and tired of Congress
trying to defund bicycling and walking

We need you to speak up!

We just learned that Senator Rand Paul has introduced Amendment 1742 to the Transportation Appropriations bill to prohibit ANY MONEY from being used for Transportation Alternatives, and to redirect that money towards bridge repair.

Just last year Congress passed a new transportation bill, MAP-21, that dismantled dedicated funding for biking and walking by combining Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails into one program, then cutting that funding by 30%. The saving grace was that the bill included a local control provision to ensure that Mayors and communities could gain access to these dollars to support local transportation priorities.

Now Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky wants to wipe out what’s left.

Please contact your Senators today so that we can maintain the Transportation Alternatives program and the local control provisions that help build bikeable and walkable cities and towns.

We had been expecting the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to announce the availability of T.A. funds this fall for both Pennsylvania and New Jersey communities. Communities could apply for this money to improve their streets, sidewalks, and bridges to make them safer for biking and walking. If Senator Rand's Amendment 1742 is successful, T.A. funds will no longer be available to the Greater Philadelphia region for bike lanes, sidewalks, trails or other biking/walking facilities.

While repairing bridges is important, both for safety and economic development reasons, so are our local economies and the safety of our children. Diverting the small amount of Transportation Alternatives funding to bridge repair couldn't fix our country's bridges in 50 years. But taking that small amount of funding away would dangerously undermine efforts of our cities, towns and counties to provide safe and efficient transportation options for everyone, including our children. With rates of bicycling and walking fatalities on the rise, that is a trade we can’t afford to make.

Please contact your Senators and ask them to save Transportation Alternatives by voting NO on amendment 1742.

Thank you so much for your help!

Asking for the Best Ramp on the Ben Franklin Bridge

Since 2005 we have been working to make the Ben Franklin Bridge more accessible for bicyclists and pedestrians. We are approaching the culmination of a major victory: replacing the Camden-side stairs with a ramp.

We have one more step to get the bridge we want. In the near future the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) will decide on the final design for that ramp. This represents our last chance to influence the ramp's design. Want to get involved? Send an e-mail in your own words about why a continuous ramp is your preferred choice.

A ramp will be built connecting the bridge to bike-friendly Pearl Street. The question is: what kind of ramp?

Of the three proposed designs alternatives, we are urging the DRPA Board to select the single continuous ramp, aka "Alternative 2." This option calls for a single ramp that follows the slope of the bridge and widens a section of the existing walkway that currently narrows to 5 feet as it approaches the to-be-replaced stair tower.

The other two options include switchbacks. A continuous ramp that does not switch back and improves the existing narrow section of the walkway would:

• maximize user convenience;
• allow for continuous eastbound travel to Pearl Street, downtown Camden, and points beyond;
• ease use of the ramp for disabled riders and people in wheel chairs;
• further enhance transportation options for pedestrians, bicyclists and wheelchair users without busting the project’s budget.

Harrisburg Needs To Hear That You Value Bicycling And Walking

Oliver, captured moments after learning
the proposed House amendments would eliminate
funding for bicycling and walking projects

We predicted there would be opposition in Harrisburg to dedicating funding for bicycling and walking, and now we learn we were right.

The Pennsylvania Senate recently passed Senate Bill 1, a comprehensive, 21st century transportation funding solution for Pennsylvania. Given the choice, everyone would prefer Pennsylvania to exist in the 21st century, right?

Now Pennsylvania's House Transportation Committee is contemplating amendments to that bill. The proposed amendments strip out what the Senate had recommended for biking and walking.

The amendments completely eliminate dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects that make our communities safer.

These proposed amendments would also reduce the funds available for multi-modal projects and deal a huge blow to mass transit, leading to massive service cuts around the state.

These amendments would be very, very bad for Pennsylvania.

As a state we need to improve and diversify our transportation. We need to be able to get where we need to go safely. Bicycling and walking are active modes of transportation. 12% of all trips in Pennsylvania (not just Philly, but the whole state) occur on foot or on bike. But these House amendments want no dedicated funding for bicycling or pedestrian projects. 

If you care about Pennsylvania making us safer by funding bicycling and walking, please contact the House leadership and the Governor today!

• Tell them that you do not support the proposed House amendments to Senate Bill 1.
• Tell them that you support a final transportation funding package that invests adequate resources in a multi-modal transportation system that includes dedicated funding for all modes of transportation.
• Ask them to support a $2.5 billion transportation funding plan that would include a first-ever state investment in making our roads and communities safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Tell them why this is important.

Making roads and communities more conducive to active transportation options, like bicycling and walking, will reduce roadway crashes, reduce carbon emissions, help children and families build physical activity into their daily routines, and open Pennsylvania up to a larger share of the bicycle tourism industry - a $50 billion per year industry.

It's the 21st century, and we need a 21st century transportation funding bill.

Ask Your PA Representative To Vote For Bicycle And Pedestrian Funding

Last week, the PA Senate passed a comprehensive transportation funding bill (Senate Bill 1) that includes the FIRST-EVER dedicated funding for bicycles and pedestrians.

This money will fund projects that will make Pennsylvania roads and communities safer and more accessible for biking and walking.

Now the PA House must pass this $2.5 billion plan. We expect opposition to the bicycle and pedestrian funding portion of the bill, so we need to speak up for it! You can help in two ways:

1. Call your State Representative and tell them to "adequately fund transportation and include dedicated funding for bicycling and walking - as is found in Senate Bill 1." Feel free to elaborate on why biking and walking is important to you.
2. Send this e-mail action alert saying the same message.

This is a big opportunity to set a precedent of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian funding in Pennsylvania. We can make it happen if we speak up for it! Please take five minutes and take action today.

Update On PA State Funding For Bicycling And How You Can Help It Happen

The full Pennsylvania Senate is likely to vote today on its state transportation bill. The bill is expected to pass, and then head to the PA House of Representatives. There is much to like in this bill for bicyclists, but it faces a tough road in the House. So we are asking for engaged citizens to join us in Harrisburg next Tuesday for a rally to support this bill.

The Pennsylvania Senate's SB1 includes:

• A multi-modal fund of $80-$150 million annually, to which bicycle and pedestrian projects can apply for funding;
• An annual minimum of $2 million of that fund which will be spent on bicycle and pedestrian facilities;
• The broadening of this funding to include pedestrian safety projects, streetscape & lighting;
• A finding that describes Pennsylvania's comprehensive transportation system to include PA's "numerous bicycle and pedestrian facilities," which will make it easier for bicycle/pedestrian projects to compete for highway funds.

Senate Bill 1 now heads to the PA House of Representatives - where it will face an uphill climb. We need cyclists to support these efforts by encouraging their legislators to support funding bicycle and pedestrian investments!

You can show support in two ways:

1. Join us in Harrisburg on Tuesday, June 11th at 10:00 AM. We will be rallying on the steps of the Capitol building to thank the PA Senate for passing a transportation bill that includes bike and ped funding, and for continuing to advocate for making our roads and communities safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.
2. Tell your legislator that you (and therefore, he or she) support dedicated funding for walking and biking pathways in the state. Click here to send an email to your state reps.

Take another step and get involved in the Walk And Ride PA campaign on Facebook www.facebook.com/walkandridepa and Twitter: www.twitter.com/walkandridepa.

Want New Bike Trails In Your County? Join the Circuit Commitment Campaign

On behalf of The Circuit Coalition, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia invites you to the launch of the Circuit Commitment Campaign.

We are bringing together trail enthusiasts and supporters like you for two informational sessions in June (one for PA, one for NJ). These caucus meetings are the kickoff to the Circuit Commitment Campaign.

The Circuit Commitment Campaign's goal is to replenish the DVRPC (Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission)'s Regional Trail Fund, which is a competitive grant program established by the William Penn Foundation in 2010. The fund is distributing nearly $10 million in our nine-county region, and is helping plan, design and build nearly 40 miles of trail.

This grant program, if continued, could have a major impact on our trails! So we need people like you, who want to see The Circuit's unfinished trails built, to encourage County Commissioners (in Pennsylvania) & Freeholders (in New Jersey) to allocate a second $10 million for the years 2014-2016. This money will continue the momentum of that first grant cycle, moving us closer to realizing the vision of a region connected by a world-class network of bike-ped trails: The Circuit.

Get involved in creating new trails for your community by attending your state's trail caucus!

The Pennsylvania Caucus
June 17th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Haverford Community, Recreation & Environmental Center
Register to attend here

New Jersey Caucus
June 19th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Camden County Boathouse
Register to attend here

We can get more trails like the Perkiomen Trail if we take action by speaking up for money to build them

The Pennsylvania Caucus meeting will provide an overview of the next set of Circuit trails currently under development in Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia Counties.

The New Jersey Caucus meeting will provide an overview of the next set of Circuit trails currently under development in Mercer, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties.

At each meeting, we will also discuss the campaign goal and how you can help get this trail funding secured.

Support Philadelphia's Parks at City Council On Monday

Do you support better funding for Philadelphia's parks? There's a chance to show your support by attending a City Council budget hearing on Monday!

Tell the City to keep its promises to our parks

The Parks Alliance and dozens of allied organizations are calling on Philadelphia City Council and Mayor Nutter to restore the remaining $5 million in promised funding for the Department of Park & Recreation for fiscal year (FY) 2014.

The Parks Alliance is calling on park supporters to demonstrate that support at the upcoming City Council Budget Hearing. Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis will be testifying and they are seeking to pack the Council chambers with Park and Recreation advocates from every neighborhood in the city.

What: City Council Budget Hearing On Dept. of Parks and Recreation
When: Monday, April 8th, 12:30– 2pm
Where: City Hall, Room 400 (need ID to enter building)

PA State Transportation Funding is at Stake

You've seen the closed bridges, faded bike lanes and crosswalks, the potholes, the overcrowded roads during rush hour. It's no secret that Pennsylvania's transportation system is in dire shape. Governor Corbett has proposed raising new revenue to make much-needed investments to repair our roads, bridges and transit systems. But some legislators in Harrisburg do not see the wisdom of investing in infrastructure and they need to hear from you!

Harrisburg needs to fund transportation!

TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION FUNDING IN PENNSYLVANIA

In 2010, the state's transportation funding gap was calculated at $3.5 billion. And because putting off repairs only makes them more expensive, the cost of fixing our transportation system is growing by $1 million for each day we do not pass a transportation funding bill.

When transportation is under-funded, not only do bicyclists and pedestrians suffer from the poor quality of our roads and bridges but fewer dedicated facilities are built or striped.

Governor Corbett proposes to raise $1.8 billion over five years by uncapping the Oil Company Franchise Tax. The Governor's proposal also includes a multi-modal fund that will be a dedicated funding source for non-highway modes, including biking and walking.

As part of the Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition, we asked Governor Corbett to make proposals to better fund transportation needs. Now that he has, your elected officials need to hear from you that you support a comprehensive transportation bill. Please take action today by writing a quick email to your state reps and then placing a call to their offices.

Better streets mean safer, better transportation
for all. Photo credit: Complete Streets

A comprehensive new transportation bill offers an opportunity for Pennsylvania to support communities that want to make bicycling and walking safer. PA Walks and Bikes and others who support biking and walking are asking for three commitments from the state:

1. Create a Bicycle Pedestrian Office within PennDOT.

2. Ensure that the new Multi-Modal fund allocates sufficient funds to bicycle and walking projects.

3. Eliminate the Bicycle Occupancy Permit (which prevents smaller communities from building bicycle infrastructure).

You can read more about our suggestions for improving biking and walking in Pennsylvania in this handout.

Tonight, Tonight: Francisville Civic Meeting On Fairmount Ave Bike Lane

The Smashing Pumpkins' great 1996 layered alt-rock
anthem to Fairmount civic meetings

As Billy Corgan sang in his whiny tenor back in 1996,

Tonight, tonight, we'll vote about the Fairmount Ave bike lane tonight

I'm pretty sure I'm remembering that song correctly.

Tonight's meeting of the Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation will vote on whether to support a bike lane on Fairmount Avenue. If you live within the bounds of their catchment area, you can vote (bring proof of residency just in case).

Francisville Neighborhood Development Corp. 2nd Pilgrim Baptist Church, 15th & Ogden St,
Doors at 5:30pm, meeting at 6:15 pm
Francisville catchment area

Please attend the meeting and support a new bike lane in your neighborhood!

Update: here is a copy of the presentation we'll be handing out at the meeting.

Meetings and Classes and Expos, Oh My!

"We'd get there faster if we had Miss Gulch's bicycle!"

Our recent bitter, cold winds might make linking elbows and skipping unpleasant, but right around the corner are a flying-monkey-squadron's worth of bicycle-related events and activities!

The Endurance Sports Expo

This Saturday and Sunday (2/23 - 2/24)
Taking place in Oaks, PA, this is a playground for running, bicycling, and triathalon-related enthusiasts. We'll be there on Sunday!

(Yet Another) Civic Meeting about Fairmount Ave Bike Lane

Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation

Monday, February 25th

Last time there weren't enough people in attendance for a vote to be taken. We expect a vote to happen this time. If you live within the Francisville catchment area, please attend and vote to support a bike lane on Fairmount Ave!
Location: 2nd Pilgrim Baptist Church, 15th & Ogden Street
Time: Doors at 5:30pm, meeting at 6:15 pm

Women's Mountain Biking Clinic!

Saturday, March 2nd

We are very excited to host legendary mountain biker Jacquie Phelan for a 3-hour workshop in the Wissahickon! Spaces are nearly gone so register now to attend!

New Urban Riding Basics and Adult Learn-to-Ride Classes!

New sessions of both popular classes are now available for registration! See our Classes page for dates, times, and registration links.

Join Us For Bike Lobbying In D.C. On March 6th

Get your lobby on! Join us in Washington DC for the National Bike Summit's Lobby Day on Wednesday, March 6th.

You don't have to attend the National Bike Summit to participate in this Lobby Day, but we do ask that you let us know you're coming by signing up here:

http://bikelobbyday2013.eventbrite.com/

What is involved? Travelling down to Washington DC to meet with your elected officials and stress to them the importance of supporting biking and walking programs, funding, and trail projects.

We cannot provide you with transportation, but we can let you know who else is travelling so you can find someone to carpool with. Once we have appointments arranged with the various senators and representatives, we'll share those meeting dates and times.

This year, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee is Congressman Bill Shuster (PA-9), so the PA delegation is even more important than ever! We need to send the message loud and clear that bicycling is good for Pennsylvania and New Jersey's economy. Please join us!

Two More Fairmount Ave Bike Lane Votes in Late February

Spring Garden Civic Association and Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation will take votes on the Fairmount Avenue Bike Lane proposal next week and the week after. 

If you live within the catchment area of Spring Garden or Franvisville, you can participate in a vote. Even if you don't, both meetings are open to the public and we encourage you to attend to demonstrate community support.

Next week, Charles Carmalt (the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator) and the Bicycle Coalition will present before the Spring Garden Civic Association. We are scheduled to present after Council President Darrell Clarke, who will be speaking about the proposed casino, AVI, crime cameras, and more.

Spring Garden Civic Association
Wednesday, February 20th, 7pm
(Wine & Cheese 6-7pm)
St. Andrews Lithuanian Church Hall, 19th & Wallace Street
Spring Garden catchment area.


On Monday, February 25th, we will present for a second time in front of the Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation. This time, we anticipate a vote will be taken.

Francisville Neighborhood Development Corp.
Monday, February 25th, 6:15pm

2nd Pilgrim Baptist Church, 15th & Ogden Street,
Doors at 5:30pm, meeting at 6:15 pm
Francisville catchment area

Voting for a Fairmount Bike Lane at Francisville NDC Tonight

We continue our neighborhood outreach tonight with a presentation to the Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation (good people, but very blog-title-unfriendly organizational name). We will be asking the assembled room to vote to support bike lanes on Fairmount Avenue!

If you live between Broad St and Corinthian Ave, and between Girard Ave and Fairmount Ave, you can vote at the Francisville meeting!

Monday, February 4th
2nd Pilgrim Baptist Church, 15th & Ogden Street, Philly
Doors at 5:30pm, meeting at 6:15 pm

More information about the Francisville NDC can be found on their website: http://francisvillendc.org. Map of the meeting location below:


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