The Bikeleague’s National Bike Summit is coming up soon! This year’s theme is “Climbing Capitol Hill.” With so much going on in the Virginia legislature, we haven’t finalized our plans. But rest assured, VBF will be at the Summit! This is a great opportunity for Virginia bike advocates to meet, so please contact us ahead of time if you’re planning to attend.
If you can’t make it to the conference Tuesday evening and Wednesday (it’s pricey for many of us), you can still attend the lobby day on Thursday, to meet with legislators on Capitol Hill. Even without attending the entire conference, there’s still plenty of chance to meet and network with other advocates, [continue reading…]
As we all should know, the Virginia General Assembly is in session. Now’s the time to concentrate on bike legislation, to support bills that are in the works.
Bud Vye has been very busy at the Capitol this week. Here’s his report on the progress of bills that Virginia cyclists should be concerned about. First, [continue reading…]
VBF board member Bill Hart reports from Virginia Beach: “Rosemary Wilson’s motion for bicycle accomodations on interim improvements on roadways passed unanimously. Barbara Henley tried to argue that it was unsafe, but Bill DeSteph said that it is one step, and many more steps are needed. After that statement, Barbara backed off and voted for the proposal.”
So we’ve made an important first step, but our work isn’t done yet, as Bill also reports: “A budget hearing is coming up in April. We have to get a lot of bicyclists to that meeting also, and different speakers. The Council this time had listened to different speakers than in the past, and this had a very positive effect.”
To get involved in Virginia Beach bike advocacy, contact the Tidewater Bicycle Association.
If you’re aware of any press coverage of this issue, please post links to the comments section below.
A team of Virginia filmmakers led by director David Deal will hold a fundraiser for their upcoming film, “Road to Roubaix,” on Saturday, Jan. 26, 7-9pm, at the Arts Center in Orange, 129 East Main St., Orange, VA. The event will feature a preview screening, and an auction for a large, limited edition photographic print of Lance Armstrong. For more information about the film, see the Masterlink Films website.
Update: the New River Valley Bicycle Association is having a special screening of Road to Roubaix in Blacksburg on Sat. Jan 10 2009, 1pm.
The Virginia Bicycling Federation urges bicyclists throughout Virginia to express support for House Bill 855, filed by Delegate Adam Ebbin, which would require the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to establish regional pedestrian and bicycle advisory committees in each of the nine VDOT highway construction districts.
HB 855 would require these committees to “hold regular meetings in order to seek public input for methods of improving government programs related to walking and bicycling. Citizen members of each regional committee shall be represented on a statewide pedestrian and bicycle committee, which shall also hold regular meetings.”
Similar bills were introduced three times previously (in 1997, 2002, and 2005) and have fared better each time. With your support, HB 855 will be enacted in 2008.
Please contact your state delegate and senator ASAP and ask them to support — and to co-patron — HB 855.
You can also contact members of the House Transportation Committee and ask them to support HB 855 in committee.
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