There’s still space for a few more trainees in the upcoming LCI training session in Blacksburg. This training is not offered frequently, so if you’re anywhere within driving distance of Blacksburg — which includes most of Virginia, DC, West Virginia, and North Carolina — don’t miss this opportunity to become a League Certified Instructor.

The prerequisite for LCI training is that you must already have taken the Road 1 course. You must also be Bikeleague member. If you’re not already a member, or have just joined, please contact Sharon Thorne at the Bikeleague for help with your registration.

This course is being offered by the YMCA at Virignia Tech, with support from the New River Valley Bicycle Association. Please register and pay at the VT YMCA website (scroll down the page). For further information, contact Beth Lohman of the New River Valley Bicycle Association, or Abigail Convery at the VT YMCA.

It’s a little more effort to register at this last moment, and make time to take this course. But don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Update: Adventure Cycling Association has issued a press release. This news is especially important for us in Virginia, as Bike 76 and Bike 1 are valuable assets for our state.

by Richard C. Moeur, via the APBP listserv

I’ve just received news that the AASHTO Board of Directors have voted at today’s session at their annual meeting to approve and endorse the concept and plan for the US Bicycle Route System.

Information on the US Bicycle Routes plan can be seen at:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs/

Sincere thanks to the members of the US Bicycle Routes Task Force, AASHTO and state DOT staff, and other partners who have brought this important initiative forward to where it is today. Special thanks to Jim McDonnell at AASHTO and Ginny Sullivan at Adventure Cycling Association for providing staff and operational support to this endeavor.

Here’s the text of the resolution as approved by AASHTO: [continue reading…]

The League of American Bicyclists (aka LAB, Bikeleague) announced its Bicycle Friendly State program awhile back. This year’s rankings for all 50 states were announced over a month ago. We’ve been slow in getting this information out, but today WashCycle does our job for us (yay!), explaining Virginia’s 23rd place rank as a Bicycle Friendly State.

Thanks to WashCycle for helping to get the word out. As their headline reminds us, bike advocacy is a lot of work, and there aren’t enough hours in a month to get it all done. (By the way, we could always use some help.)

Join cycling advocates from throughout Virginia for a weekend advocacy retreat in rural Louisa County, to plan strategies to improve conditions for cyclists statewide. To encourage participation, VBF subsidizes this event. So you get a very low cost weekend getaway at Sophia House in beauriful Louisa County, including food, lodging, fellowship, and some great riding! All are welcome to attend, for the whole weekend or part.

Tentative topics for discussion

• League of American Bicyclists evaluation of Virginia’s Bicycle friendliness, as per the new Bicycle Friendly State program
• Federal Highway Transportation Program Reauthorization — trail and enhancement Programs
• VBF strategy for the 2009 Virginia General Assembly session
• The law and bicyclists

Invited speakers

• Jake Helmboldt, VDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator
• League of American Bicyclists – Staff
• Thunderhead Alliance – Staff
• Michael Ashe, Virginia Beach bicyclists’ attorney

[continue reading…]