Article: Why America's Love Affair with Cars is No Accident

This article goes into some detail about how pedestrians were marginalized as part of a campaign on the part of certain car companies. This marginalization took place over a period of decades, to the point where pedestrians are sometimes seen as a nuisance, or unpredictable factor, in traffic engineering as documented in an earlier Slate article. The term "jaywalking" came to denote a scofflaw, with the implication that the road was primarily or even solely for cars. Thankfully, there is pushback in recent years with the complete streets idea, and the "bold" idea that ultimately streets are for people rather than any single mode of transport.

Making Tennessee Safer While Remembering Fallen Cyclists

We all know there is some risk in riding a bike on a public road although it’s not nearly as dangerous as your average citizen may think, especially for an experienced rider familiar with safe riding techniques. The primary threat of serious injury is the people in those large two ton vehicles that don’t consider sharing the road.  Some of them are opposed to bicycle driving but I think most are just unthinking.

Bicycle Friendly State Rankings

Tennessee holds in middle of the pack in the 2012 League of American Bicyclists ranking of Bicycle Friendly States. (Click here) . In 2010 Tennessee rose 19 points from 43'rd to 24'th.  In 2011 it dropped three positions to 27'th, but received a Bronze Award recognizing efforts by TDOT and advocates.  This year the state rose one position to 26'th. The LAB's Top Tip for Improvement is "Include Bicycle Safety in Tennessee Strategic Highway Safety Plan."

Other opportunities for improvement are:

Protect Walking/Biking Funding

Ask Your Member of Congress to Protect Walking/Biking Funding in the Transportation Bill.   

Let Congress know TODAY

Overwhelming Support for Bike/Ped Funding

 

Today at a press conference on Capitol Hill, America Bikes announced the findings of a recent Princeton survey, which shows that more than 80 percent of Americans favor maintaining or increasing federal funding for sidewalks and bike lanes.

For more information on the survey and to download the results, visit the America Bikes website.

The survey results are astounding - and bipartisan:  

SRTS National Partnership Hiring in TN

Help us find a high-quality State Advocacy Organizer
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership

 

is looking for an energetic and dynamic professional to work as the state advocacy organizer in Tennessee. Applications

 

are due on Friday, May 18, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. PT. The anticipated start date for the position is Monday, June 4, 2012. 

Bike Kitchen Organizing in Johnson City

  The Johnson City Bike Party/Bike Kitchen Event and Benefit

Announcing Feed Your Hunger (JC Bike Party/Little City Bike Collective Event) 
May 24th, 2012 from 3pm-2am meeting at Galaxy Lounge (down town Johnson City).  
Biking
Entertainment
Want to volunteer or make a donation?  
About the JC Bike Party/Bike Kitchen and the Mission 

Afterschool Program Gets Kids Biking

Boys On Bikes is an after-school program that teaches kids bike safety and gets them out several times a week for exercise and fun. This program at Southside School in Johnson City is led by the school's physical education teacher and supported by local businesses. Other elementary schools are considering taking on this model as a unique way to let kids have a safe and healthy alternative after-school activity.

JOIN Us for Tennessee's 1'st Bike Summit

The inaugural Tennessee Bike Summit will be held in Chattanooga, May 2-4.  Transportation officials, government leaders, planners, engineers, public health officials,  advocates, and others, are invited to attend to join the discussion on transportation, people, and places. THE MAP

There is no fee to attend the Summit, but registration is required.  Visit www.tnbikesummit.org for complete information.

The 2012 Tennessee Bike Summit will serve as an opportunity to share successes, challenges, and strategies for moving Tennessee forward as a bicycle-friendly state. Join us for exciting sessions and mobile workshops!