Adventure Cycling Association announced that it has received two new grants in support of the organization’s work to establish an official United States Bicycle Route System (USBRS). The grants were awarded by Bikes Belong and New Belgium Brewing and will enable Adventure Cycling to continue its organizing and cartographic work with federal and state agencies and non-profits to establish what could become the world’s largest national cycling route network.

Bikes Belong awarded Adventure Cycling $15,000 in support of the project. Bikes Belong executive director Tim Blumenthal said, “The U.S. Bicycle Route System is a powerful, big idea that will encourage Americans to bicycle more often. It will also focus attention on crucial missing links in our bike route system and speed the process of correcting them.” Bike Belong is the U.S. bicycle industry organization dedicated to putting more people on bicycles more often.

New Belgium Brewing awarded the Association $15,000 annually for two years. Bryan Simpson, media director for New Belgium Brewing said, “Adventure Cycling’s U.S. Bicycle Route System proposal stood out because it works to connect communities and create a safer, more bike-friendly environment nationwide. We’re excited to be able to contribute in whatever way we can to make this project a reality.”

“We are grateful for this show of support for the U.S. Bicycle Route System. This project is receiving important support from funders, as well as from the halls of Congress and the leadership of state departments of transportation,” said Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling. “We also want to thank our members, who have been the principal supporters of our work on this visionary project.” Adventure Cycling is the largest cycling membership organization in North America, with over 44,000 members.

The U.S. Bicycle Route System project is part of a global trend, as countries and provinces establish national cycling networks—composed of on-road and trail facilities—to make cycling easier and more enjoyable in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Examples include the National Cycle Network in the United Kingdom, La Route Verte (the “Green Way”) in Quebec Province, the D-Route Network in Germany, and VeloLand Switzerland. These systems are spurring major growth in bicycling and other non-motorized trips, with corresponding reductions in fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Adding to the USBRS momentum is growing interest on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The USBRS project was included for recognition and funding support in legislation recently put forward by Congressmen Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR). These influential members of Congress are, respectively, the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. The legislation—to re-authorize the federal government’s transportation program—will be considered by Congress in the coming year.

For a background report on the USBRS, click here. The latest news and updates on the USBRS is available at www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs and/or the USBRS Facebook page.

The 4th annual 50 Mile Ride for Project Rwanda will be held on Saturday April 10th, 2010 in Orange County, CA. This event is a “ride”, not a race. Riders will be treated to a challenging day of mountain biking with an estimated 500 participants, while they raise funds for Project Rwanda.

The 50 Mile Ride has raised just over $100,000 for Project Rwanda over the first three years. According to event founder Doug Grant, “Our 50 Mile Ride event has grown every year. Once riders catch the vision and experience the fun, they come back again, year after year.”

Project Rwanda was founded by mountain bike pioneer Tom Ritchey. When Ritchey first visited Rwanda in 2005 he was awed by the natural beauty of the country—”the land of 1000 hills”. Even more than that, Ritchey was inspired by the people and their stories of reconciliation and hope. Ritchey knew he could use his talent and resources to help make a difference—and Project Rwanda was born. Project Rwanda’s mission is to further the economic development of Rwanda through initiatives based on the bicycle as a tool and symbol of hope.

The purpose of Project Rwanda is four-fold:

• Special Bike Design—Project Rwanda has designed a special utility bike that can quickly and efficiently transport heavy loads of coffee. This coffee bike can increase a Rwandan farmer’s earning potential by 30-40 percent, giving them an opportunity to rise above poverty for the first time in their generation.
• Build Awareness for Rwanda—The annual “Wooden Bike Classic” is an example of how Project Rwanda is reaching out to the world’s cycling and travel/adventure communities.
• National Pride—Project Rwanda has developed and equipped the Rwandan National Cycling Team. This team is now participating in international cycling events, and one day hopes to represent Africa in the Olympic Games.
• Bike Distribution—Project Rwanda plans to establish bike distribution to needed organizations. Micro-finance mechanisms will subsidize the cost of these bikes, at rates that are fair and reasonable.

In addition to the 50 Mile Ride, there are 25 mile and 5 mile “fun ride” options available. For more information about 50 Mile Ride for Project Rwanda or to register for the event, visit www.50mileride.com.

[Ed notes: The following information is courtesy of IMBA. The original post is available at this link.]

The National Park Service is looking for public input for a proposed trail network at New River Gorge, one of the premier recreational areas in the Mid Atlantic. The proposal includes the construction of two new stacked-looped mountain bike trail systems and the reclassification of certain existing trails to be open to bicycles. This has the potential of creating a network of over 100 miles of trails in the region.

Please take a moment to let the Park Service know that you support mountain biking in the New River Gorge trail proposal.

Don’t delay—the commentary period ends Jan. 15th.

Sample Language for Comments

Dear National Park Service,

I support the construction of a new stacked-loop mountain bike trail system, located in New River Gorge National River.

IMBA’s Trail Solutions has been awarded the contract to design the trail corridor, and their skills will significantly minimize user conflict, reduce speeds and provide adequate sight lines for all user groups. Scientific research funded by the NPS shows the environmental impacts of mountain biking are similar to those of hiking and less than other allowed uses.

IMBA members recognize the backlog of maintenance needs for public trails and donate nearly one million hours of volunteer trail stewardship each year. Mountain bike volunteers are willing to help the agency construct and maintain this trail, bringing a new base of volunteer support to New River Gorge National River.

Thank you for considering my comments as you develop the Environmental Assessment. This trail would be a terrific asset for New River Gorge and the surrounding communities.

Scheduled for March 9-11th in Washington DC, the League of American Bicyclists’ annual National Bike Summit is where advocates, industry executives and education experts gather to speak up for bicycling on Capitol Hill. The League believes in getting more people on bikes more often, for a number of reasons. Whether it’s obesity, health care, climate change, air quality, energy independence, traffic congestion, economic development or quality of life issues—bicycling should be part of the solution.

In 2010, Congress and our Federal agencies will be setting national targets and goals for 2020. They will be writing transportation, climate, health care, natural resources and other critical pieces of legislation that will shape our future. Bicycling needs to be prominently featured in these important pieces of legislation, documents, funding streams and programs.

Ten years ago, the first National Bike Summit brought just over 100 advocates and industry leaders to Washington, D.C. This year organizers hope to see closer to 1,000 participants. Join in and help the League propel a new decade of the bicycle.

Click here for more information on the 2010 National Bike Summit. Online registration is now open. Do it today and you can save $100 or more via early bird prices, which are in effect through Feb. 4th. IMBA is a proud sponsor of the Summit, and IMBA members can save an additional $100 by registering via this special link.

Six-time Leadville 100 winner, and former US Mountain Bike team member, Dave Wiens, will lead a new annual cycling event for the San Francisco Bay area. The Dirt Bowl will be held on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7th, 2010.

The Dirt Bowl is produced by Marin County Bicycle Coalition in partnership with the The NorCal High School Mountain Bike League.  It is a benefit ride to ensure that kids have safe roads and great trails. Proceeds from the Dirt Bowl will support the ongoing advocacy work being conducted by both organizations.

Dave Wiens said, “Great trails make for happy, healthy people. We cannot put too much emphasis on trail advocacy and our simple but important messages will spread further and become actionable to more trail users if we can educate our youngest trail users, such as members of the NorCal League.”

Kim Baenisch, Executive Director of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition said “We are excited to be partnering with the NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League on this ride. Our organizations have a shared interest in getting more kids on bikes, which is good for their health and good for the environment.”

Matt Fritzinger, the Executive Director of the NorCal League, says, “The Marin County Bicycle Coalition is an important partner for in our ongoing advocacy work, and it’s great to join them in creating this exciting new ride.  The League has been working to teach our young riders a high standard of trail etiquette and to do their part in maintaining trails, and the proceeds will bolster these efforts.”

The ride is sponsored by Specialized Bicycle Components and Mike’s Bikes and is for both recreational and competitive cyclists. Road cyclists are also invited to participate in the Dirt Bowl. The start is at the San Geronimo Golf Course west of Fairfax, California.

Riders may join the supported mountain bike route through the famous Camp Tamarancho, or plan their own route (trail or road). After the ride, there will be a BBQ at the San Geronimo Golf Course, with local beverages and the big game.

Participants are required to raise a minimum of $125 to join this fundraising event. There is no upper limit on fundraising. Fundraisers will receive:

• Saddle time with mountain bike legend and all-around great guy, Dave Wiens
• A commemorative event T-shirt
• Pre-ride hot drinks and snacks, and a BBQ lunch with sausages, turkey burgers, garden burgers, pasta, green salad, potato salad, and beverages
• Entry into a raffle with great prizes
• Special prizes for the riders who raises the most money

For more information, and to register, visit www.dirtbowl.net.

[ Ed notes: The following information is courtesy of IMBA and was originally posted at this link.]

The draft Los Angeles City Bike Plan was recently released and mountain bicyclists should be concerned with the direction it has taken. We need comments not only from L.A.-based riders, but from anyone who has positive stories about relationships with equestrians and other trail users on California trails.

Public comments can be submitted online or via postal mail, and are due before Jan. 8, 2010.

Here are some suggested talking points:

• Somewhere in L.A. City Parks there should be opportunities for mountain bicyclists—it’s bad public policy that all dirt roads and trails are closed to bikes.
• Bicycling is a positive, safe, health-promoting activity for people of all ages and should be encouraged with both natural-surface and paved riding opportunities.
• The 2009 plan should incorporate the 1996 bicycle plan language that called for pilot projects and a gradual increase in mountain bike opportunities in the parks.
• Bicyclists safely share trails with other trail users, including equestrians, all around the globe.
• Mountain biking is a sustainable, manageable and appropriate activity for L.A. parks—it works in dozens of other cities so why not ours?

Additional Information

For several years, anti-bike groups have mobilized to perpetuate the bicycle ban in LA City Parks. An older 1996 bike plan proposed a gradual increase in mountain bike opportunities, but they were never enacted. The new plan abandons those proposals and focuses instead on studies and research.

An analysis of the plan (PDF) published by the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA), is available online.

At public meetings related to the plan, anti-bike equestrians have testified that bikes and horses simply don’t mix and that even separate trails for bikes and horses won’t work because bicyclists won’t follow rules. Most of the opposition has been from equestrians who ride in Griffith Park, many from the nearby cities of Glendale and Burbank. Griffith would be a great place to bike, especially for locals, but bicycle advocates have not asked for Griffith specifically. We’ve asked for some trails somewhere, but the anti-bike groups’ response has essentially been, “No, nowhere, never.”

You can submit comments online via the link at the top of this page, or by mail on or before Jan. 8, 2010.

City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning
Attn:Jordann Turner
200 N. Spring Street, Room 721
Los Angeles CA 90012
jordann.turner@lacity.org

For further information, contact Jim Hasenauer at imbajim@aol.com