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The League of American Bicyclists recently revealed its latest state rankings, and Virginia came out at #16. That’s one step up from last year. Frankly, I am surprised that Virginia is ranked as high as it is.

What will it take to get Virginia into the top 10 Bicycle Friendly States? First, let’s take a look at what Virginia is doing right.

Bike Virginia is a long-established multiday ride that attracts riders from all over the country. Bike Virginia welcomes cyclists to rural parts of the state that might not otherwise be aware of bicycling’s economic impact resulting from thousands of bicyclists descending on a small town. That’s got to count for something.

Arlington County is a national leader in bicycle-friendliness. It might well carry the rest of us into the #16 spot. Those of us in other urban areas in Virginia could learn a lot from Arlington. They do it right.

Virginia Capital Trail, while incomplete, has come a long way and is generally considered a Good Thing for bicycling in Virginia.

Richmond 2015 is raising awareness of bicycling, at least in Richmond.

Bicycle Advocacy organizations are active in lobbying at the state level. The statewide Virginia Bicycling Federation should be commended for its efforts (although we need more people to get involved).

That’s all I can think of off the top of my head. Please comment with other thoughts.

Now for what Virginia can do better. [continue reading…]

The Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA) has launched a grants program designed to award grants of up to $1000 in support of bicycle related programs, events, and projects sponsored or offered by governments, organizations, or individuals. At the same time, the Board allocated $5000 to the grants program for 2013. Each February, the Board will allocate a portion of the club’s funds to be awarded to projects and programs that promote bicycling in the Greater Richmond Area. A Grants Committee will solicit and vet bicycle related projects and make recommendations to the Board, which will have the final approval. Applications will be accepted and grants approved until the allocated funds have been exhausted.

In assessing grant applications, consideration will be given to a variety of factors, including the potential impact of the program, project, or event and the number of people who will benefit; local volunteer and support for the project; the degree to which the request works with or complements other community organizations; the possibility of using the grant as seed money for matching funds from other sources. Members are encouraged to get the word out that there is grant money available for bicycle-related projects and be on the lookout for potential applicants. Interested parties should visit the RABA website for more details and contact information. [continue reading…]

Construction has begun on two expected expansions which will begin the final phase of lengthening the Huckleberry Trail to more than 10 miles. When finished, the trail will connect from the middle of Christiansburg to the Jefferson National Forest.

Read the rest at Roanoke Times’ The Burgs.

This is big news. Though the Huckleberry Trail has been serving the community well, its full potential has not been realized. Now cyclists and pedestrians will have access to the big box stores across Peppers Ferry Rd. from the New River Valley Mall, avoiding the very busy 460 Business, and especially the interchange at Cambria St. Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff will enjoy better connectivity with the Foxridge and Hethwood neighborhoods, and mountain bikers will enjoy a completely off-road commute to their favorite trails at Pandapas Pond and Brush Mt.

Thank you, Bill Ellenbogen!