National News
Bicycle Friendly Business Launches at Interbike
Clif Bar, Quality Bicycle Products, Alta Planning + Design and Landry's Bicycles were designated gold-level Bicycle Friendly Businesses last week at Interbike. The Bicycle Friendly Business program assists companies and organizations of all sizes in developing bicycle commuting programs and incentives for their employees and recognizes them for their efforts to promote bicycling. Thirteen businesses from across the country--from natural food manufacturers, to planning and design firms, and independent bicycle dealers--were recognized by the League. Click here to see the entire list. This program is generously supported by program partners Bikes Belong and Trek's One World, Two Wheels campaign.

Boulder Goes Platinum! New BFCs Are ...
Ten new communities were honored with the League of American Bicyclists prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community designation. This was the program’s biggest application cycle to date—51 communities applied for the designation. There are one gold, one silver and eight bronze communities awarded, and 19 communities renewed their designations. Boulder, Colo. joins Portland, Ore. and Davis, Calif. as the only cities in the U.S. to have earned the platinum designation -- the top designation in the program. To see who earned the designation this time, click here. To see the 96 current Bicycle Friendly Communities in 32 states, click here. This program is generously supported by program partners Bikes Belong and Trek's One World, Two Wheels campaign.

Bicycle Commuter Act Passes House & Senate
Last week the U.S. Senate, amended H.R. 6049, the Energy and Tax Extenders Act of 2008, by passing several amendments which provide for clean energy incentives and extend expiring tax cuts. One of the amendments, which won Senate passage by an overwhelming vote of 93-2, was the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, which contains the bicycle commuter tax benefit provision we have been seeking for years. As last week’s Senate vote replaced the text of H.R. 6049, energy tax legislation approved in the House of Representatives earlier this year, we are currently waiting to hear if the House of Representatives will agree to take up the Senate’s amended legislation. Read the Senate Finance Committee release and summary here.

Road I Transformed to Traffic Skills 101
The League has released a new version of our core bicycle education curriculum: Traffic Skills 101! Formerly known as Road I, the new manual has updated graphics, photos, and text to help League Cycling Instructors teach cyclists to ride safely and smartly. Instructors: Order your copy today! Others: Sign up to take a class today!

Kentucky Makes Strong Commitment to Bicycling
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson have announced nearly $5 million in grants for bicycle and pedestrian improvements that will improve access and increase safety along Louisville’s roads and streets. Included in the funds is $125,000 for an Education and Safety Campaign. The education money will be spent on public-service advertisements, brochures and training classes that underscore the rules for motorists, cyclist and pedestrians and promote the Share the Road theme. Louisville Metro will begin running a new round of public service announcements in early October through a partnership with Insight Communications. A more comprehensive communications campaign will be launched next year. Click here to see how all $5 million will be spent.

BikeABQ Awarded Education Grant from REI
League Cycling Insructor Craig Degenhardt and BikeABQ have been awarded a grant from REI to fund bicycle education courses in Albuquerque, N.M. In August, they were informed that BikeABQ had won one of five grants the local store was giving out as part of REI Gives. "I have been able to spread the money out enough to be able to hold seven classes and teach 75 people," Degenhardt said. He hopes to hold some of the classes in conjunction with local organizations that are likely to be helping some of the "Invisible Cyclists" in Albuquerque.

Safe Routes Releases Two New Reports
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has recently released two reports. The first report indicates how SRTS is being institutionalized at select schools, and how it can provide a mechanism to improve student and school health. Click here to view the whole report. The second report gives an update on the State Network Project, and outlines how state networks can create policy change. Read More.

Tour de Georgia Makes a Big Financial Impact
After the completion of the sixth annual Tour de Georgia presented by AT&T, a post-event evaluation determined that the direct economic impact of the event reached $38.6 million for Georgia. This surpassed the 2007 economic impact number of $27 million by 40 percent. The average overnight visitor spent $380 per day at the Tour; 55 percent of that went to accommodations and transportation costs. More proof that bicycling is good for the economy! Click here to see the report.

Job Opening in Utah


Salt Lake City Hiring Bike/Ped Coordinator
The Salt Lake City Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator will work with a variety of city staff to advocate and advance bicycle and pedestrian mobility and safety. This position will work with limited supervision under a professional Traffic Engineer with the goal of making Salt Lake City one of the most bicycle and pedestrian friendly cities in the country. Click here to apply.