Update: River Laker, aka CarLessBrit, has posted video of this event: Part 1 & Part 2. Thanks CarLessBrit!

PRESS RELEASE
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, VA

Saturday in Roanoke was a great day! 90+ people of all ages and riding experience opted to go car less and ride with Mayor Bowers 2 ½ miles from Wasena Park to the Mayor’s monument in downtown Roanoke.

Many riders enjoyed the Strawberry Festival and the Chili Cookoff in the historic city market before cycling back to Wasena Park. [continue reading…]

Then get your organization or local government to write a letter of support for our rails-with-trails resolution (PDF). As of August, 2011, 31 organizations have signed on, along with over nearly 1300 individuals. Also see our RailsWithTrails.Com information site.

Please sign our rails-with-trails petition.

The Virginia Bicycling Federation, along with 25 national, state and local organizations has endorsed a resolution asking Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine to support rails with trails along all major rail projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

With concerns for the environment, the economy, and the ability to maintain our Interstate highway system, government is looking at railroads as a key component of our transportation infrastructure for the twenty-first century. Railroads are experiencing an unprecedented level of interest and expansion.

By investing in upgraded infrastructure, government is helping rail companies to improve their levels of service for freight, passenger and multimodal transportation. Upgraded railways will help reduce the number of cars and trucks on our roads, and decrease air pollution, energy use, and wear and tear to our highways. The Virginia Bicycling Federation supports this effort. [continue reading…]

A recent fatality in Virginia Beach has sparked much discussion about safety on our roads, cyclists’ rights on our roads, and the responsibility of drivers for cyclists’ safety.  This video, from the League of Illinois Bicyclists, gives a good overview for both drivers and cyclists:

This next video demonstrates riding safely on roads with heavy traffic and higher speeds.  Courtesy of CyclistView.

The Virginia Bicycling Federation advocates for bicycle accommodations; promotes tourism and carries the Governor’s Bike Month Proclamation across state. The Virginia Bicycling Federation’s annual Cross State Ride celebrates the 570 miles of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, US Bike Route 76, located in Virginia. Adventure Cycling Association’s mapped route is signed in Virginia. Cyclists are asked to sign Cross State Ride registration book located at the Yorktown Colonial National Historical Park. Other registration books are located in the Mineral fire station’s break room, Lexington Visitor’s Center and Breaks Interstate Park camping office. If you ride all of the 570 miles you can fill out a ride completion form to receive a free Virginia Bike 76 pin.