All VBF Members are invited to join the Board for a weekend retreat and work session, with the goals of:

• Setting and prioritizing goals for the organization
• Developing objectives, strategies and tactics to meet priority goals
• Reviewing bicycling related actions by the Virginia General Assembly
• Planning for the 2008 Cross State Ride
• Brainstorming and sharing Bike Month plans from across the state
• Some great riding, of course!

Member clubs/organizations are invited to send a representative to bring your organization’s ideas and concerns to the board. [continue reading…]

by Bud Vye

Have not had a chance to talk with Del. Ebbin about the action on the House floor today (will try to do so tomorrow), but from the Legislative website it appears that the bill was defeated by a 47-48 vote (although who voted for and against is not listed), after several amendments.

If my interpretation is correct, we are left with Senate Bill 644, which is identical, and which now crosses over to the House Transportation committee, since it was passed by the full Senate.

It’s unusual to have identical bills coming from both sides, and today’s vote gives us a preview of where the Delegates stand on this issue. Obviously, a change of one or two votes will put the Senate bill over the top, when it hits the House floor. [continue reading…]

America Bikes, the coalition of national bicycling and trail advocacy groups working to boost federal government investment in cycling, is seeking a well-organized, experienced professional to serve as our Campaign Director. The Campaign Director will manage America Bikes’ efforts in the upcoming reauthorization of the federal transportation bill, which sets policy and overall funding levels for all forms of surface transportation in the United States. The position will be based in Washington, DC. [continue reading…]

Senator Ticer’s SB644 passed the Senate today by a 22-16 vote and now goes over to the House, where it will be heard by the House Transportation committee (unless the House Bill 1270 , which is identical, passes the House, in which event both bills will be “conformed” into one, whereupon I’m not exactly certain what the procedure is).To keep us in suspense, Del. Ebbin’s HB 1270 was “Passed by for the day” today, rather than having its 2nd reading, and I haven’t heard why. It could be something very innocent, like the patron was ill or otherwise not present, or it could be more problematic.

The bad news is, that the 22 – 16 vote in the Senate was almost exactly along party lines, with every Democrat voting for the bill, and almost every Republican voting against it, with one of each party not present. Fortunately, two freshman Republican Senators [continue reading…]