In March, the Eno Center on Transportation, a transportation think tank in DC, released a report on the state of the Highway Trust Fund. This is a summary of that report. 

What the Highway Trust Fund Is

The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is basically a bank account for transportation. The federal gas and diesel fuel tax, plus a few other taxes on commercial vehicles, are deposited into the HTF. Funds in the HTF account can only be spent on transportation projects authorized by Congress in a transportation reauthorization bill. 

The existence of the HTF means there is a guaranteed source of transportation funds which then allows Congress to write multi-year transportation bills instead of having to debate on transportation funding every year. 

From 1956 to 2009, this system worked well. In fact, it worked so well that Congress occasionally raided the HTF for the interest on its deposits to help pay for other programs. However, since 2009, the gas, diesel, and other taxes going into the trust fund have not kept up with demand.

This leaves the HTF with two big problems  Insolvency

The first problem is that there is not enough money coming in through the gas tax and other transportation taxes to pay for the funding authorized and appropriated by Congress. Right now, every state receives more funding from the federal government than it pays into the trust fund. In fiscal year 2026, the Trust Fund is expected to run a $32 billion deficit. 

Ponzi scheme

The other problem is that projects take years to build, so funding that is obligated in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 may just be coming due in fiscal year 2026. That means that even if Congress chose to stop funding any new transportation projects this year, we’d still need to keep the federal gas tax in place for years to pay for projects already obligated (under contract) but not yet paid out. 

How did we get here? Declining Growth in Vehicle Miles Traveled

• From its creation until the oil crisis in the early 1970s, Vehicle Miles Traveled was increasing at 4.5% annually
• From the 1970s to the early 2000s, VMT grew at 2.5% annually
• After 2003, VMT growth fell to less than 1% a year. It is now predicted to grow at 0.3% over the next few years. 

Stagnant Gas Tax

The gas tax was last increased in 1993, and was not indexed to inflation. 

Increasing Fuel Efficiency 

Starting in 1978 the federal government introduced CAFE standards to increase fuel efficiency in passenger cars. The first standard in 1978 set a fleet average at 18 miles per gallon (mpg). That increased to about 23 mpg in the late 1990s, and has since reached  26-27 mpg in 2005. 

Electric Vehicles

This has been a tiny factor until recently, but electric vehicles are a growing factor in the insolvency of the HTF. Had the incentives created in the Biden Administration to increase utilization of electric vehicles been fully realized, the HTF annual deficit was projected to reach $50 billion a year. Given changes by the Trump Administration, it is now only projected to be $37 billion. 

When you add this up, plus inflation, you get our current situation. 

Can the deficit be fixed? 

There are three options: cut spending, increase revenue, or a combination of the two.

Cutting spending

The HTF has two accounts, one is for highways (roads) and the other is for transit.  

• The Highway Account could be solvent by 2028 if Congress cut the contract authority (the amount states and USDOT are allowed to obligate) by 35%.
• The Transit Account is more insolvent and cannot be made solvent by just cutting spending. It is set to go into negative spending by mid-2027. 

To make both accounts solvent through spending cuts alone would require Congress to transfer funding from the highway account to the transit account, and then cut spending from both accounts by 48%.

Increasing revenue

The Eno report explores a few options based on their ability to raise funds, practical considerations, and political viability:

• Raising the gas tax
• Instituting a Vehicle Miles Travelled fee
• Federal registration fees 
• Devolution

Gas Tax Increase 

Eno calculated it would take a 17 cents/gallon increase to the current gas tax (18.3 percent) brought in over multiple years with an increase at 10 cents/gallon the first year. The tax would also be indexed for inflation. 

The good news is that the gas tax is easy to administer, costing less than one percent of the revenue. Politically, it has been a non-starter in discussions for the last 10 years.

Vehicle Miles Travelled Fee

This has been the darling for many lawmakers because it would be  a fix that gave them an excuse to not vote for a gas tax. Revenue-wise, it could be set to meet current needs and it is inline with the idea of a user fee, which is generally popular. 

Practically, the U.S. is not ready to implement a VMT fee. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 instituted a board to study how to implement a VMT, but the Biden Administration was slow to appoint the Board so it never really got off the ground before 2025. The Trump Administration then fired the Board, so the project is stalled and cannot move forward unless other appointments are made. 

New Zealand has a program like this but it costs them 3% of the revenue raised to administer, so the fee’s price will have to account for a higher administration cost. 

On the political side, it was touted as the solution because it wasn’t do-able. However, when IIJA created the study, the familiar complaints about privacy almost killed the bipartisan support. 

Registration Fees

Creating a new federal registration fee for vehicles is an option that has come into vogue as electric vehicles become more popular. It addresses the loophole in the gas tax where vehicles that do not use gas don’t pay for roadway use. In New Hampshire there was even a bill to create an annual $50 registration fee on bikes!  

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves proposed a vehicle registration fee in the Inflation Reduction Act, but it was stripped out before passage. There’s a good chance we’ll see it in a 2026 reauthorization proposal.

Eno calculated that an annual registration fee of:

• $120 on all motor vehicles (gas, diesel or electric) would close the gap between the HTF revenues and expenditures. 
• $290 on all motor vehicles (gas, diesel or electric) would cover all expenditures and replace the gas tax. 
• They acknowledged that the fees could be adjusted for different types of vehicles. 
• I believe this included public sector vehicles as well (which don’t have to pay gas tax). 

Managing this fee could be easy. All 50 states already have a vehicle registration fee, so they could also collect the federal fee at the same time, keeping administrative fees low. However, it is not clear if the federal government can require that as it may be a violation of the 10th Amendment.  

One thing Congress could do is make it voluntary, but bar states from receiving funds from the federal transportation program if they don’t take part. That may work for the $120 fee because the state would then be incentivized to join to get the gas tax fees. If Congress were to choose the higher registration fee – the $290 option – then any state whose drivers  pay more into the HTF with the gas tax than the state gets back would have no incentive to cooperate. 

One of the interesting political dilemmas is that it would change the donor/donee states. Pre- 2015 one of the big political issues in federal transportation debates is that some states, like Texas, were considered donor states because their residents paid more into the HTF than they received back based on funding formulas. Other states, like Washington, were donee states, meaning they receive more funds back from the transportation program then they contribute in fuel taxes. 

Since the mid 2010s, Congress has transferred so much in general funds to the Highway Trust Fund that all states are now donee states. However, if we went to registration fees, that dynamic would shift and Texas would become a donee state and Washington would become a donor state, because Washington has a higher car ownership rate. This will upset the transportation dynamic in Congress. 

As for political feasibility, we saw what happened when Chairman Graves proposed a $20 fee on gas cars, and a $200 registration fee on electric cars: Congress stripped it out. 

Devolution

One other talked about solution is devolution, where the federal gas tax is reduced to only cover the interstate system and other federal lands. The thinking here is that states have been more successful in raising new revenue either from raising gas taxes, tolling, and congestion pricing. 

Any administrative burdens would also be passed onto the state. 

However, one of the political problems with it is the federal government would have to continue collecting the federal gas tax at current rates until all projects in already underway are completed and paid for. This would be several years, making the scheme politically difficult. 

Will Congress take this on?

The only serious proposal I’ve heard to make a dent in the HTF deficit was Graves’ idea to add a nominal registration fee to all cars and much higher fees for electric and hybrid vehicles.  His legislation didn’t get far. 

Before the Transportation Committee would vote on it, Graves had to remove the fee on gas and diesel powered vehicles, and by the time the bill was voted through the full House and Senate, the registration fees on electric and hybrid vehicles was also removed. 

There doesn’t seem to be an appetite in Congress for cutting spending or increasing taxes- and  Congress is expected to bail out the HTF with general funds for the next reauthorization bill. 

The next time the problem will become acute will be in the early 2030s.  

If that is the case, the Highway Trust Fund won’t be the only Trust Fund hitting a cliff. The Medicare and Social Security trust funds are also expected to hit insolvency around 2033. Perhaps Congress can take one really hard vote to fix all three? 

The post The Highway Trust Fund is a Ponzi Scheme! appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

National Bike Month is finally here!

Every May since 1956, the League of American Bicyclists has been proud to celebrate National Bike Month: a whole month dedicated to the brilliance of the bicycle, connecting with your community on two (or more) wheels, and sharing the joy of biking with anyone who’ll listen. 

Whether you’re rolling with a group or flying solo, National Bike Month is packed with ways to get involved. Here are a few dates worth putting on your radar:

• May 3: National Ride a Bike Day
• May 5 @ 3pm ET: Safe Streets for All Grant Program 101 Webinar
• May 6: Bike & Roll to School Day
• May 11–17: Bike to Work Week
• May 15: Bike to Work Day
• May 19 @ 3pm ET: Organizing Bike Audits Webinar
• May 26: Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant deadline
• May 31: Last day to get your Bike Joy postcard set! Join or renew your League membership by the end of the month to get yours.

If you’re hosting local events to celebrate any of these days, use this form to add them to our growing Bike Month events map!

And this year, we’re adding something a little special to help new and renewing League members spread bike joy during Bike Month: a free set of bike postcards! The pack of ten postcards, featuring the vibrant bike illustrations from last year’s What Bike Are You quiz, is yours free when you join or renew your membership with the League during Bike Month.

Use them to write a note to a pal who just got back on two wheels. Hand one to someone you see locking up outside your favorite coffee shop. Leave one on a bike-curious coworker’s desk during Bike to Work Week. Write your partner a love letter and tuck it in their desk for a rainy day. Send it through snail mail to your long-distance Zwift buddy. However you share them, the point is the same: bikes are more fun when you bring someone else along for the ride!

Ready to get yours? Join or renew your League membership by May 31 and we’ll send them your way.

Oh, and there’s more — we’ve also got a full suite of materials for both print and digital uses. You can find all the Bike Month promotional materials on our site, including shareable graphics and event resources, to help you celebrate and spread the word in your community. Plus, we’ve added some cool Bike Month stickers on Giphy that you can use in your Instagram stories!

Happy Bike Month! We’ll see you out there.

P.S. Tag the League on social media with all your Bike Month celebrations so we can like and share! 

The post A Love Letter to National Bike Month  appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

The League of American Bicyclists is seeking candidates for our Board of Directors and we’d love for you to apply! We are looking for passionate, committed people to join our Board of Directors who want to help guide the League in our mission to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. 

The League’s mission is to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone, and the board is an essential part of making that happen. As a board member, you’d play a meaningful role in guiding the organization by supporting the League’s financial health and shaping our efforts to amplify the voice of people who bike. We encourage candidates from all kinds of backgrounds: advocacy, finance, law, communications, community organizing — and of course someone with a passion for bikes and for sharing their skills.

Here’s how to apply: put together a statement of qualifications that speaks to how you meet the seven qualifications on this page, and send it along with your resume, a short bio, and a photo to governance@bikeleague.org by May 30, 2026.

From there, the Governance Committee will review all applications and confirm who makes it onto the ballot. Qualified candidates will be posted on our blog in mid-July, voting will open in August,  and new board members are officially seated at our board meeting in October. Just make sure you’re a League member by August 9, 2026, if you’d like to vote.Questions or want to learn more? Find the full timeline and process on our Board elections page.

The post Help Shape the Future of Bicycling: Apply to Run for the League Board appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

The Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety is “the largest gathering of roadway safety professionals in the United States.” I’ve been a member of the planning committee for the Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Micromobility for over a decade, representing bicycle advocates and bringing the League of American Bicyclists’ perspective into the conference. This year was the third or fourth Lifesavers Conference that I’ve attended, with my last conference being in Seattle in 2023. If you’re interested in my stream of consciousness during the conference, please check out my Bluesky feed with #Lifesavers2026 — but in the meantime, here are my top three takeaways from this year’s Lifesavers Conference in Baltimore.

1. Pathways to Safer Streets

The Lifesavers Conference began with a keynote address by the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Jonathan Morrison. Administrator Morrison’s speech introduced and outlined “the most extensive and comprehensive behavioral traffic safety initiative in NHTSA’s history” called Pathways to Safer Streets. With eight core pathways, there is a lot that could be said about this initiative. There are some interesting points of emphasis, such as an embrace of “speed interlock technologies, specifically for chronic, excessive speeders” that align well conceptually with Families for Safer Streets’ Stop Super Speeders campaign. It will be interesting to see what actually happens through this initiative.

What I did hear clearly from Administrator Morrison’s speech is that “progress is not the same as success. Tens of thousands of lives are still lost every year. And as long as that number is anything other than zero, we cannot call this system safe, we can only call it improved.” This clear embrace of the goal of zero traffic deaths is a great foundation for traffic safety efforts. While deaths of people biking and walking were not mentioned in the Pathways to Safer Streets or Administrator Morrison’s remarks, those deaths are included in the goal of zero traffic deaths.

2. Lots of Interest in E-bikes

I was part of two sessions at this year’s Lifesavers Conference, one on e-bikes and one on bike helmets, and the session on e-bikes was by far better attended. A theme to my session, across all speakers, was the difficulty of classifying and regulating e-bikes, e-scooters, and other light electric vehicles such as one-wheels and e-mopeds. Whether due to incomplete crash reporting that masks the extent of crashes, inconsistent descriptions of devices to emergency departments that make appropriate care more difficult, or sales of illegal devices that put delivery riders at risk; each speaker had a reason that more efforts are needed to better incorporate these new vehicles into our transportation safety frameworks.

There was some overlap between the interest in e-bikes and the interest in bike helmets. Two themes that emerged from that overlap were that standard bike helmets may not be sufficient for e-bikes or their faster e-moto cousins, and that developing bike helmets that better meet the needs of bikeshare and scootershare users is a priority. Both of these themes pointed towards innovation in helmet design, which was the topic I was asked to speak about. If you’re interested in the innovative helmets that I featured, you can check out my presentation here.

3. The Role of Technology in Behavior Change

Compared to the last Lifesavers Conference that I attended, there was a much greater focus on technologies and that showed up in a few distinct ways:

There was a great emphasis on telematics – using technology to monitor driver behavior in near real-time – to inform real-time responses to crashes, to target enforcement efforts, and to plan for safety improvements based on observed behavior rather than waiting for crashes or deaths. Telematics was perhaps most prominently embraced by the Governors Highway Safety Association, which has published several reports about its use in traffic safety efforts.

Automated enforcement technology was prominent in sessions and in the exhibition hall. It was very interesting to see the breadth of applications of automated enforcement, with applications for behaviors such as distracted driving, which is easier to detect and validate today thanks to higher definition cameras and artificial intelligence that can better identify behaviors and validate that drivers are fulfilling the elements of a distracted driving law. There were also specialized applications, such as school bus stop arm enforcement, which is now easier due to the reduced cost and size of camera equipment. While some in Congress are attempting to stop DC’s automated speed enforcement efforts, the Pathways to Safer Streets initiative appears to embrace the value of automated enforcement “to augment traditional law enforcement.”

While NHTSA is our national vehicle regulator, and has the authority to implement safety technologies as required features in new cars, the Pathways to Safer Streets initiative instead chose to embrace in-vehicle technologies as part of enforcement. Technologies like intelligent speed assistance, which is required on new vehicles in Europe, was primarily discussed as a potential intervention against the “worst of the worst” speeders. Similarly, in-vehicle technology to prevent impaired driving, which Congress required NHTSA to develop standards for in the last transportation bill, is discussed as an intervention to reduce impaired driving recidivism much like interlock breathalyzers are today. While reducing distracted driving is one of the eight core pathways to safer streets, there was no mention of potential regulation to address the potential distraction due to ever-larger screens in new vehicles. It may be that NHTSA tailored its messaging to a behavior change audience, but it is frustrating to see lifesaving technology approached as a punishment for bad drivers rather than an aid for all drivers.

The post Insights from the 2026 Lifesavers Conference appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

Originally shared by our partners at the Washington Area Bicyclist Association on April 21, 2026.

We’re thrilled to share an update on the lawsuit to protect the 15th St bike lane in DC from removal by the federal government: WE HERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS! In case you missed it, our legal team argued our case for saving the 15th Street protected bike at a hearing on April 9th. Today, the judge issued a ruling IN OUR FAVOR. The fight may not be over—there’s a chance the government tries to appeal—but this is REALLY GOOD NEWS. The ruling states that the decision to remove the bike lane was arbitrary and capricious, and that the removal cannot proceed as planned. The government has to follow a public input process and conduct further research. Let me tell you there’s no good faith research that supports their position, and boy will make sure they hear from the public, over and over again.

Recently, my colleague Jonathan said “Elizabeth, sometimes it’s not about the WIN, it’s about the FIGHT.” I found that advice inspiring during the last few weeks, and boy did we fight. I am so inspired by the community that rose up to fight this foolish attempt, by the volunteers and staff and legal team that brought their A-game to every step of this process.

In mid-February, a contact reached out to let us know that the National Park Service, under the direction of the US Department of Transportation and the White House, were planning to remove the bike lane, probably without following the correct process, and on a short timeline.

I reached out to every lawyer we know and we put together an all-star team from two well-regarded firms, Beveridge and Diamond, and Covington. Kalli, our Advocacy Director, organized a team of volunteers to keep the bike lane under constant surveillance. We worked with local experts on a rapid response direct action. Hundreds of you showed up to our first rally on the steps of the Wilson Building. Thousands of you shared and signed a petition.

For a couple of weeks, the rumors quieted down. We breathed a little. Then several sources confirmed a date: March 23rd. Our law firm sent a sharply worded letter indicating that we planned to file suit March 22 and notified the court of the Sunday filing. Then came our first tiny victory: In response, the Department of Justice (which represents the Federal Government in court) agreed that NPS, USDOT or any other agencies would not remove the bike lane until March 30th, and, shortly after that, they agreed to hold off until April 23rd. We filed our complaint on March 23—I signed the documents on my phone at our second rally surrounded by hundreds of amazing people like you, who showed up to support this critical piece of infrastructure.

They said April 23rd, but we know how this administration operates. Trust but verify, right? You helped us keep eyes on the bike lane, and I am grateful to every one of you that called me about changes, blockages, and suspicious construction equipment on 15th Street.  

The judge met with both parties four times, and then set the hearing date for April 9—a quick turnaround given that the government was unwilling to concede more time. Our excellent team argued eloquently for our side and many advocates joined us in the courtroom gallery to demonstrate the depth of public support. 

AND WE WON!! 

Your voices, your hard work, your financial support all made this possible. 

It has been inspiring to fight alongside so many dedicated, and brilliant people. And we’re not done fighting. You know, and I know, and the region knows how VITAL this corridor is to safe bike, pedestrian and transit traffic. We are still rallying to celebrate the 15th Street Bike Lane at the “Save America’s Bike Lanes Rally” on TODAY (April 21) at 5 p.m., and I hope thousands of us show up. We matter. Our safety matters. We know this won’t be the last time this administration tries to pull off some BS that makes our streets less safe, and we are fired up and ready to keep fighting. But in the meantime, go take a ride down 15th street and enjoy this lovely spring day.

A note from the League:

Thank you for showing up.

We are so proud of everyone who rallied on April 21st. Whether you rode, marched, posted, called, or simply spread the word, you were part of something real. The energy from that day carried into the courtroom, and this ruling is proof that when people who love biking show up together, it matters.

This is a genuine victory worth celebrating. And we’ll take it.

But as WABA notes, an appeal is possible, and the threats to bike infrastructure extend far beyond DC. The same arguments being used to justify removing the 15th Street lane are being used to cut federal funding for biking and walking nationwide. Protecting one lane (especially America’s Bike Lane) is meaningful. Protecting every lane, and ensuring communities can access federal funding to build new ones, is the work ahead.

Wondering what’s next? The best thing you can do right now is keep the pressure on. Take our action alert to tell Congress that people across the country care about safe, connected streets — not just in DC, but in every community that deserves a bike lane. Because #BikeLanesSaveLives, and that doesn’t stop being true when the news cycle moves on.

Thank you for being part of this movement. We’re not done yet, and we’re glad you’re riding with us.

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The post We Won This One. Here’s What Comes Next. appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

If you work in local government, planning, or public health, proclamations probably cross your desk pretty regularly. It’s easy to think of them as ceremonial or for photo-ops. In practice, proclamations can be quite useful. They are a simple, practical way to build momentum, signal priorities, and bring partners together around a shared goal. 

Take National Bike Month as an example. Communities across the country recognize May as a time to celebrate bicycling, encourage new riders, and highlight the importance of safe streets for everyone. Passing an official Bike Month proclamation does more than mark the calendar. It creates a moment of awareness to rally around. It gives local champions, city staff, and leaders an example to point to and say, “Look at this cause our community believes in! Let’s keep it going!” 

Proclamations can also show support for broader public health initiatives. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Active People, Healthy NationSM initiative offers a customizable proclamation template that communities can adapt. This can help connect local efforts to a national movement. 

Beyond an initial rally point, a proclamation is also a communications opportunity that can keep the momentum going well after the ink has dried. After signing, you can capture a photo or two of the ceremony, write up a short recap, and connect with local media to share the news. Think of it as documenting your progress: a visible, public signal of your community’s commitment to active transportation and healthier living.

Wondering what that looks like in practice? Here are some notable examples we’ve seen over the years:

• Hawai’i Bicycling League’s Bike Month proclamation and BFC award ceremony 
• Ridgeland, Mississippi’s Bike Month + Active People, Healthy Nation proclamations
• City of Keene, New Hampshire’s 2025 Bike Month proclamation
• East Lansings’s Bike Month + Active People, Healthy Nation proclamations
• Virginia DOT’s Bike Month proclamation
• Maricopa, AZ’s Active People, Healthy Nation proclamation

Communities that see the most impact tend to treat proclamations as part of a broader effort. They connect them to events, communications, and ongoing initiatives. Instead of standing alone, the most effective proclamations are well-placed within a larger campaign that invites engagement and participation from the community. 

Building a more active, healthy community takes time. A proclamation is a small step that can help set a direction, build support, and create more activity-friendly communities.

The post Why Proclamations Matter More Than You May Think appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

We should know in the next few weeks what the first draft of the bill that will decide transportation funding and policy priorities for the next five years looks like. 

As we’ve written before, the lead author of the bill, Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), has said it will be a “traditional” bill that doesn’t fund biking or walking infrastructure. On the other hand, he has also said he wants this to be a bipartisan bill and it’s unlikely Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA), the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would back a reauthorization bill that zeros out funding for bicycling and walking infrastructure. 

But debates over the merits of bicycling and walking funding will continue. Last week, Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) introduced a bill that would eliminate Transportation Alternatives – the largest bucket of federal funding for things like bike lanes, sidewalks and trails. That bill is unlikely to go anywhere (Perry doesn’t have a very successful track record of getting legislation passed into law), but it is indicative of the type of thinking among certain members of the House Transportation Committee. 

We need to push back on that kind of thinking. We oppose any reduction in Transportation Alternatives funds – we want to strengthen the program – and while we believe a complete zeroing out is unlikely, we believe strong advocacy may be required to ensure there is no reduction in the next five years of funding. 

When the first draft of the reauthorization bill is released, we’ll be looking for our priorities and asking you to lend your voice in support of better biking. Those include: 

• Robust funding for Transportation Alternatives 
• Legislative language of the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Act and the Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act
• Reauthorization and fund for the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program 

We’ll also be scouring the bill for any changes to language around vulnerable road users, local match requirements for federal grants, policy changes, and other bills like the BIKE Act. 

Join us in our efforts to Save America’s Bike Lanes and send a letter to your Member of Congress today »

The post Transportation Reauthorization is Coming appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

We were honored to celebrate the annual Advocacy and Education Awards at this year’s National Bike Summit — one of the most beloved traditions in our movement, and a chance to lift up the people and organizations doing the hard, joyful work of making bicycling safer, more inclusive, and more accessible across the country.

The 2026 award winners represent the very best of our movement: dedicated professionals, tireless volunteers, inspired educators, and creative changemakers who go far beyond what’s asked of them. Their work is building a more impactful, inclusive, and Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.

Club of the Year Award

This award recognizes a bicycle club that has done an exceptional job integrating advocacy into club activities, supporting advocacy organizations, and creating welcoming events for new and experienced bicyclists alike. Clubs that earn this recognition are inclusive, energetic, and committed to growing bicycling in their community.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: Elmhurst Bicycle Club

Founded in 1977, the Elmhurst Bicycle Club (EBC) is one of the largest, most active cycling clubs in the Chicago region — and one of the most advocacy-driven. With members throughout northeastern Illinois and beyond, EBC rides at the speed of fun, welcoming cyclists of all skill levels year-round. But their reach extends far beyond the ride itself: EBC members can be found running, hiking, snowshoeing, volunteering at regional cycling events, and making the case for safer streets at every level of government.

The club has been actively involved in bicycle advocacy at the local, state, and national level for more than 20 years — spearheading safety and infrastructure improvements, engaging with elected officials on relevant legislation, and showing up consistently where it counts.

Youth Empowerment Award

This award recognizes leaders who empower young people through bicycling advocacy, education, and opportunities to ride. From community bike shops to schools and youth-serving nonprofits, this award honors the mentors who are cultivating the next generation of cycling advocates.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: Major Taylor Michigan Cycling Advocacy

Major Taylor Michigan Cycling Advocacy (MTMCA) is a Detroit-based nonprofit that transforms bicycles into tools for economic mobility, workforce access, and community empowerment. Mark “Marco” Speeks (pictured right) is the organization’s Founder, Executive Director, and a League Certified Instructor (LCI).

Named for Marshall “Major” Taylor — America’s first Black world champion cyclist — MTMCA operates five interconnected programs that build a cycling culture rooted not in recreation, but in access, independence, and opportunity:

• The Joe Louis Greenway Bike Bus
• Operation: Rack and Roll, an infrastructure initiative installing bike racks at Detroit Public Schools adjacent to the Joe Louis Greenway
• Stride and Glide, a balance bike literacy program for pre-K through third grade
• Bikes 4 Employees, a revolving loan fund connecting transportation-insecure workers with bicycles and gear
• Bicycle Safety Town at the Detroit Historical Museum, a museum-based bicycle safety program

Together, these programs reflect MTMCA’s deep commitment to making Detroit a city where cycling is essential transportation for everyone.

Advocacy Organization of the Year Award

This award goes to a bicycling and/or walking advocacy organization that, in the past year, made significant progress — growing its capacity, deepening its programs, and achieving meaningful wins for biking and walking in its community. This award comes with the Jon Graff Prize for Advancing Safe Cycling, a $1,000 prize made possible by an ongoing annual donation from longtime League supporter, the late Jon Graff.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: BikeWalkKC

BikeWalkKC works to make the bi-state Greater Kansas City region a place where residents are no longer required to drive to thrive. Through advocacy, public policy, Safe Routes to School programming, urban planning, and bike share initiatives that support people living with transportation insecurity, BikeWalkKC is reshaping what mobility looks like in Kansas City and beyond.

Their leadership doesn’t stop at the local level. BikeWalkKC is a founding member of Missourians for Responsible Transportation — a collaboration of the state’s four regional mobility organizations — and has been a consistent resource and partner for advocacy organizations nationwide.

Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm Award

This award commemorates Susie Stephens, one of the Alliance for Biking & Walking’s founders and an enduring inspiration to so many in the bicycle and pedestrian movement. It honors an individual or group who carries on Susie’s passion for advocating for bicycling as a fun, joyful, and economical means of transportation.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: Marley Blonsky, All Bodies on Bikes

Marley Blonsky is a nationally recognized cycling advocate, speaker, and educator whose work centers a simple but powerful idea: biking should be for everyone. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of All Bodies on Bikes, a nonprofit dedicated to creating welcoming spaces for people of all sizes to experience the joy of cycling — through community rides, industry education, and the kind of honest, generous storytelling that changes minds.

Marley has worked with brands including Shimano, Shredly, Ride with GPS, and Osprey Packs to advance size inclusion and accessibility across the bike industry. She is a columnist for Cycling Weekly, a sought-after speaker on inclusion in outdoor recreation, and was named a 2024 Outsider of the Year by Outside Magazine. Based in Portland, Oregon, she can usually be found on her bike, building community, and sharing the adventure.

Katherine T. “Kittie” Knox Award

This award recognizes champions of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the bicycling movement — individuals or groups who have led the work of making bicycling more inclusive and representative, and who have worked to remove barriers to participation for underserved and underrepresented communities. Learn more about Kittie Knox and her legacy here.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: MassBike and Plays in Place

This year’s Kittie Knox Award honors a remarkable collaboration between two organizations that are bringing Kittie Knox’s trailblazing story to new audiences in a genuinely unexpected way.

Since 2018, Plays in Place has partnered with diverse cultural institutions to develop and produce new site-specific plays rooted in the stories of overlooked and often-forgotten people — with a focus on race, slavery, abolition, women’s history, and the fight for woman suffrage. Their work has taken place in historic churches, iconic cemeteries, New England meeting houses, and the Senate Chamber of the Massachusetts State House.

In 2025, in partnership with MassBike, they produced The Kittie Knox Plays — a series of “bike” plays about the biracial barrier-breaker Kittie Knox herself. This spring, the two organizations will publish a book of the plays, complete with production photos, essays, and production tips, to encourage cycling and theatre groups everywhere to explore Kittie’s legacy. Plays in Place was also recently recognized with the 2025 Excellence in Consulting Award from the National Council on Public History.

Emerging Leader of the Year Award

This award celebrates a young person who is new to the bicycling movement and has already demonstrated exceptional, inspiring advocacy. Nominees have shown real leadership in their short tenure and the potential to keep shaping the movement for years to come.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: Laura Pauls-Thomas

Laura Pauls-Thomas (they/she) is a storyteller, community organizer, and self-described joy-monger based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A League Cycling Advocate, Laura is the founder and director of Ride, Roll, & Stroll Laster — a young adult-led, intergenerational advocacy and community-building project that advances safe biking, walking, and better transit. They also serve as a transit organizing fellow with Transit For All PA, and volunteer in leadership and board roles across multiple transportation, land use, and urban vitality organizations in Lancaster.

Laura works full-time as a nonprofit communications director — and still manages to weave advocacy, connection, and genuine joy into everything they do. When they’re not any of the above, Laura enjoys knitting, sewing, traveling, and being outdoors with their spouse Andrew and their dog Pinto.

Gail & Jim Spann Educator of the Year Award

This award recognizes a League Cycling Instructor who has worked to elevate bike education in their state or community — someone who has been actively teaching in the past year, serves diverse communities, and has brought genuine innovation to their education work.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: Fernando Martinez

Fernando Martinez’s relationship with bicycles began in the early 1980s in Mexico City, where he was introduced to the sport through the manufacturing of steel bikes and bike parts. He became a League Cycling Instructor in 2005, when he managed the Texas Safe Routes to School regional program in Amarillo — instructing and mentoring a new generation of young cyclists.

Now the head of the RideONE Bicycle Program at Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ office in Houston, Fernando has designed and led initiatives that have helped position Houston and Harris County as national leaders in cycling. He brings over four decades of bicycling experience to the role, along with certification as a professional race mechanic. His days are filled with bike rodeos, community rides, group rides, rolling meetings, and golden rider programming — work he approaches with the belief that the true power of bicycles lies in their ability to connect people and create lasting change.

Bicycle Friendly America Leadership Award

The Bicycle Friendly America Leadership Award recognizes civic, academic, and business leaders who have made significant contributions toward a shared goal: an America where biking is safe, comfortable, and accessible for all. From mayors and CEOs to public agency leaders, academics, and university presidents, this award honors changemakers whose leadership moves the whole movement forward.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: Ken Rose

Ken Rose leads the CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation℠ initiative — a nationwide effort to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. A leading expert on how transportation and community design shape public health, Ken has spent nearly three decades at CDC advancing active, healthy communities. He is an everyday cyclist and a longtime leader in Atlanta’s bike community, bringing both national perspective and real-world experience to his work.

His career is a testament to what it looks like when public health and active transportation advocates work together — and the League is proud to honor his extraordinary contributions.

Citizen Advocate of the Year Award

This award honors a dedicated volunteer advocate who has made significant contributions to the promotion of bicycling and walking in their community — someone who selflessly gives their time and energy to improve local transportation options and sets a high standard for grassroots advocacy.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: Rob Kadota

Rob Kadota is the Mayoral-appointed chair of the City of Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee and a League Cycling Instructor since 2023, with over 350 hours of instruction specializing in Adult Learn to Ride classes. He was also a proud participant in the League’s inaugural League Cycling Advocate (LCA) class.

Rob’s volunteer footprint is expansive: he staffs the Mar Vista Farmers Market Bike Valet and Repair Stand, supports SAFE, SFA, and Bike LA, and volunteers as a Tandem Captain with Wayfinder Family and Velo Club LaGrange, working alongside visually impaired stokers in one of the most meaningful dimensions of his advocacy work.

Professional Advocate of the Year Award

This award goes to a leader of a bicycling and/or walking advocacy organization who has shown extraordinary dedication to advancing active transportation — going above and beyond their job duties to inspire change, influence policy, and improve quality of life for the people they serve.

Our 2026 Award Goes to: Jacob VanSickle, Bike Cleveland

Jacob VanSickle has served as Executive Director of Bike Cleveland since 2012, growing the organization into Ohio’s leading safe-streets advocacy force. Under his leadership, Bike Cleveland has helped secure more than 160 miles of bike lanes and trails across the city and advanced model policies including Complete Streets legislation and Ohio’s 3-foot passing law. The organization has been central to major initiatives including Vision Zero, citywide Safe Routes to School planning, and Cleveland’s Midway protected bike lane network.

Today, Bike Cleveland’s programs engage more than 12,000 people on bikes each year, educate over 1,000 youth and adults in safe bicycling, and host the Bike Cleveland Fundo — the largest urban bike ride in Ohio.

A graduate of Spring Arbor University with a degree in sociology and community development, Jacob helped convene the founding leadership team that built Bike Cleveland from the ground up. He currently serves as board president of the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation and is a graduate of Leadership Cleveland (Class of 2021). He is also a generous resource for executive directors and advocacy organizations across the country looking to be more effective in their own communities.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate these outstanding leaders. And thank you to all of our past award winners — your continued dedication to this movement inspires us every year. Interested in nominating someone for a future award? Learn more about the Advocacy and Education Awards here.

The post Congratulations to our 2026 Advocacy and Education Award Winners! appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

The League of American Bicyclists is thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2026 Community Spark Grants! After extensive review, the League selected 10 communities to each receive $2,000 to fund projects with the potential to spark change toward a more Bicycle Friendly America. 

Marking the fifth year of the Community Spark Grant program, this latest round of applications was larger than ever. In total, 197 proposals were submitted with creative ideas for bike-friendly projects. This year’s recipients include five event-related projects, two rural access-related projects, two education projects, and one project to increase the accessibility of bicycle maintenance and equipment. 

“This year’s application pool was the most competitive yet, and really showed how much financial need exists for these small but mighty projects that turn communities into better places for biking. While I wish we could support every great idea we saw, I’m excited about the difference this year’s awardees will make,” says Anna Tang, Bicycle Friendly America Program Specialist. 

Since its launch in 2022, the Community Spark Grant program has provided seed funding for dozens of bike-related projects across the nation. These mini-grants have helped catalyze community change by empowering grassroots leaders to identify local needs and take action accordingly. Whether the funding goes towards building capacity for bike education, supplying safety gear for riders, or toward pop-up infrastructure to realize a community’s vision of safer streets, each grant is one small spark with the potential to ignite sustained action for better bicycling. 

Keep reading to find out how the ten recipients of the 2026 Community Spark Grants plan to use their new funding to spark change in their communities for better bicycling.

Meet the 2026 Community Spark Grant Awardees 2026 Bikes for Upshur Kids

• Organization: Ride and Shine: Bikes for Upshur Kids
• Location: Buckhannon, WV

Ride and Shine: Bikes for Upshur Kids will give away at least 20 new, bike-shop-quality kids’ bicycles, with helmets and locks, to children in Upshur County, West Virginia, who face financial barriers. With an established trail system and increasing kids’ cycling programming in the area, Ride and Shine finds it imperative to work toward equal access to this sport for all local youth. More kids on bikes, one kid at a time.

“Ride and Shine is excited to offer at least 20 new kids’ bikes, with helmets and locks, to children in our county who face financial barriers to riding. As a newly established nonprofit, we are gratified to have the support of the League of American Bicyclists. Local response to this effort is already very positive, and we’re very much looking forward to our big giveaway day this summer and getting more kids on bikes! With established trails and with kids’ cycling programming just getting started in our area, we hope that this batch of bikes will have a real impact on cycling in the area.” — Julia Kastner, Executive Director

Altadena Cultural Town Trail Concept

• Organization: TEAM SoCalCross / Altadena Bicycle Club / Lotus Rising
• Location: Altadena, CA

Developed in the wake of the 2025 Eaton Fire, the Altadena Cultural Town Trail Concept serves as vital social infrastructure for recovery. A consortium of community stakeholders will collaborate to ensure the trail provides profound cultural and psychological benefits, offering a space to process trauma and rebuild local identity. Simultaneously, the trail functions as a backbone for economic and resilience infrastructure, driving sustainable growth and collective action to ensure Altadena’s spirit remains as enduring as its landscape.

“The Altadena Cultural Town Trail Concept, supported by the Community Spark Grant, is a visionary initiative designed to bridge the gaps in our town’s connectivity while celebrating its heritage. By centering on equitable mobility and safe access, the project will create a continuous loop of trails and sidewalks that better connect residential areas, particularly in West Altadena, to essential business districts, schools, and the natural beauty of the San Gabriel Mountains in the backdrop of the Angeles National Forest. This initiative goes beyond simple infrastructure; it serves as a vital tool for community reconnection following the devastating 2025 Eaton Fire, fostering long-term resilience through youth stewardship and the preservation of Altadena’s unique architectural and cultural identity. Ultimately, the grant will empower residents to move together safely, ensuring that Altadena remains a vibrant, healthy, and unified community for generations to come.”

— Dorothy Wong, Founding member of the Altadena Bicycle Club, Altadena Town Council member and Chair of the Safe Streets – Traffic Safety & Mobility Committee

Anchorage GRIT

• Organization: Anchorage GRIT / Bike Anchorage
• Location: Anchorage, AK

Anchorage GRIT, a program of Bike Anchorage, received a Community Spark Grant to launch its new 2026 Gear Library initiative. This funding will provide essential bikepacking equipment and infrastructure for 7th grade girls, trans, and non-binary riders, ensuring cost is not a barrier to participation. The Gear Library will support GRIT’s three-day, 60+ mile capstone bikepacking trip to remote Alaska public use cabins and create a foundation for expanding access to cycling adventures in future seasons. Through these experiences, youth build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of belonging in Alaska’s outdoor community.

”Anchorage GRIT will use the Community Spark Grant to purchase essential gear for our 7th grade girls, trans, and non-binary riders to complete their three-day, 60+ mile bikepacking capstone. This support removes financial barriers and empowers youth to build confidence, leadership skills, and a lifelong connection to cycling and the outdoors.” — Taylor Borgfeldt, GRIT Co-Coordinator

Bike Share for Belonging: Inclusive Mobility for All Angelenos

• Organization: BikeLA
• Location: Culver City, CA

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (BikeLA) has been awarded a 2026 Community Spark Grant for its project, Bike Share for Belonging: Inclusive Mobility for All Angelenos. The initiative will deliver multilingual bike share education workshops and guided community rides in neighborhoods including Koreatown, Westlake, Boyle Heights, and South LA. Participants will receive hands-on training in how to access bike share, ride safely in traffic, and enroll in reduced-fare programs. By removing language, cost, and confidence barriers, BikeLA aims to expand equitable access to affordable transportation and help more Angelenos use bike share for everyday mobility.

“The Community Spark Grant allows BikeLA to bring bike share directly into neighborhoods where residents rely on walking and transit but haven’t yet felt that bike share was built for them. Through multilingual workshops and supported community rides in places like Koreatown, Westlake, Boyle Heights, and South LA, we’re helping first-time riders learn how to unlock a bike, ride safely, and access reduced-fare programs. We expect to see more residents using bike share for everyday trips—to work, school, and appointments—and feeling confident doing it. This project is about making sure shared mobility is truly accessible, practical, and welcoming for all Angelenos.” — Eli Akira Kaufman, Executive Director, BikeLA

Roll & Stroll to School

• Organization: Safe Routes to School coalition in Tucson, AZ (BICAS, Living Streets Alliance, FUGA, Project Bike Club, El Grupo, and Midweek Mini Ride)
• Location: Tucson, AZ

A collaborative partnership between BICAS, Living Streets Alliance, FUGA, Project Bike Club, El Grupo, and Midweek Mini Ride; this coalition hopes to transform school commutes with their Roll & Stroll to School project. By centering youth and families in under-resourced neighborhoods, Roll & Stroll will tackle barriers like extreme heat and high-speed traffic through pop-up safety demonstrations, bike education, and the distribution of essential safety gear. This community-led initiative is a movement toward creating a safer, more connected, and climate-responsive Tucson where every child can walk or bike to school with confidence and joy.

“In a city as spread out and hot as Tucson, getting our kids to school safely shouldn’t feel like a solo mission—it should feel like a community coming together. The Community Spark Grant is the ‘ignition’ we need to turn our neighborhood streets into places where families actually feel welcome. We’re not just handing out helmets; we’re building a culture where a ‘bike bus’ of smiling kids is a normal morning sight. We expect to see families feeling more confident, neighbors finally meeting one another at pop-up events, and most importantly, our students realizing that their streets belong to them, too. This grant helps us prove that with a little shade, some safety gear, and a lot of heart, we can make rolling and strolling to school accessible and fun!” — Jacob Martínez, Youth Coordinator

Black Girls Do Bike – Knox Academy

• Organization: Black Girls Do Bike
• Location: Nationwide impact

Black Girls Do Bike plans to use their Community Spark Grant to expand Knox Academy, a leadership development program that prepares BGDB Sheroes and members to become nationally certified League Cycling Instructors (LCIs). In 2026, Knox Academy will support a cohort across 3 to 5 cities with professional cycling instruction, leadership training, and LCI certification support. Graduates will return to their communities equipped to teach safe riding skills, organize inclusive group rides, and strengthen local partnerships that make bicycling a safer and more accessible option. This project builds long-term capacity by investing in leaders who can grow Bicycle Friendly change from the ground up.

“I’m excited for the Community Spark Grant because it will help us remove real barriers to riding and leadership for Black women and girls in the cities we serve. With this support, Knox Academy can train and certify more of our Sheroes as League Cycling Instructors, so they can immediately bring safe, welcoming rides and bike education back to their communities. I expect to see more people feeling confident on a bike, more consistent local programming, and stronger local coalitions working together to make bicycling safer and more accessible for everyone.” — Monica Garrison, founder of Black Girls Do Bike

SDEV’s Youth Sustainability Advisory Team (YSAT) Bikes Para Todos! Outreach Project

• Organization: Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision
• Location: Detroit, MI

This initiative empowers Southwest Detroit youth to lead in creating bicycle-friendly community infrastructure and culture. Responding to community needs assessments that highlighted a desire for non-motorized mobility, YSAT will install bike racks at four community gardens, removing a key practical barrier to biking. This infrastructure sets the foundation for community bike activity designed to build neighborly connections. By transforming community spaces into biking hubs, this project advances equitable transportation access in a historically underserved area.

“SDEV expects to see both an immediate increase in bicycle accessibility and a long-term investment in our local youth as leaders, directly fostering a stronger, more connected, and active community. This will be done through the installation of secure bike racks at four community garden sites. The project will be led by paid youth from SDEV’s Youth Sustainability Advisory Team. They will manage the installation as well as use the new infrastructure to plan a community bike ride series, directly addressing a lack of bike parking and building a local biking culture.” — Angel Buckley, Intern (they/them)

Sweep the Streets

• Organization: Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MDCDC)
• Location: Memphis, TN

The Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) will use its Community Spark Grant to launch a volunteer-driven street-sweeping initiative. While the District boasts essential bike infrastructure, debris often renders these lanes unusable for the 25% of local households without vehicles. A new hybrid, bike-towed sweeper — operated by MMDC Ambassadors and community partners— will bridge the municipal maintenance gap by cleaning 100 miles of lanes. This project fosters a culture of ownership and safety, ensuring our streets are truly accessible for everyone who lives, works, learns, and plays in the Medical District and Downtown.

“The Community Spark Grant will enable the Memphis Medical District Collaborative, the Downtown Memphis Commission, and Street Fair to empower residents to create safer and more bikeable neighborhoods. The street sweeper will be placed directly into the hands of the community so we aren’t just cleaning streets — we are fostering a culture of ownership that proves Memphis is a city where every commuter, regardless of their mode of transport, truly belongs.” — Rory Thomas, MMDC President

Neighborhood Bike Shop-in-a-Box

• Organization: BikeDFW & The Bike Gangs of Fort Worth
• Location: Fort Worth, TX

Project Description: The Bike Gangs of Fort Worth was established in 2016 and exists to foster family-friendly bike riding groups, or “bike gangs.” This includes providing free bike repairs and free bikes, including special needs accommodations, to break down all barriers to entry to owning and maintaining a bike and enjoying all its freedoms. This includes bikes for primary transportation.

“The Community Spark Grant will seed a Neighborhood Bike Shop-in-a-Box, which means accessible, free bike repairs and free bikes, by the community, for the community. This is a spark that will continue to break barriers to entry to own and maintain a bicycle; oh, the miles of smiles this Spark will grant!” — Daniel “Guido” Guido, founder of the Bike Gangs of Fort Worth

Ticket to Ride: A TDM Program to Promote Multi-modal Bicycle Commuting in Rural Vermont

• Organization: Ticket to Ride
• Location: Northeast Kingdom, VT

Ticket to Ride is a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program seeking to encourage people to try bicycle commuting and specifically multi-modal commuting (bike to bus) in rural Vermont. Ticket to Ride is a wrap-around service that complements our existing transit system. The program includes free access to fully accessorized loaner e-bikes, along with the educational and encouragement programming to help community members engage safely and confidently in bicycle commuting. Participants will enroll in a nine-month program and be assisted with overcoming barriers with personalized mentorship.

“One of the overarching goals of Ticket to Ride is to demonstrate the feasibility of bicycle commuting in rural Vermont. We need more ‘roll’ models on the road and at the office, demonstrating the achievability, and touting the benefits, of using a bicycle for transportation.” Bevin Barber-Campbell, Executive Director, Ticket to Ride

The post Meet the Winners of our 2026 Community Spark Grants  appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

Washington, DC — As more Americans choose biking for commuting, fitness, recreation, and a source of joy, businesses across the country are responding by making it easier and safer to ride. Today, the League of American Bicyclists announced the newest round of Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) awards, highlighting organizations that are meeting this demand head-on. This round recognizes 65 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses and four Honorable Mentions, bringing the total number of currently certified BFBs nationwide to 1,117.

“Across the country, businesses are getting creative in how they support people who bike, because their employees and customers are asking for it,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “From community gardens to medical centers to ice cream shops, Bicycle Friendly Businesses are showing that when you build biking into how you operate and how you show up locally, it pays off in healthier teams, happier customers, and stronger communities.”

While Bicycle Friendly Businesses can be found in all 50 states and Washington, DC, some states are building their ranks more quickly than others. Florida remains steady at the top of the list of states with the most BFBs, with Arkansas close behind. Regional coalitions like Arkansas Moves (formerly Bentonville Moves) are major contributors to these gains, often driven by the goal of improving active mobility for residents and tourists alike. This is a consistent trend among Bicycle Friendly Businesses, where outdoor recreation and bike tourism boost local economies and incentivize further development for better biking in the broader community. Notably, two popular outdoor adventure destinations were recognized in today’s awards: the Grand Canyon’s hospitality provider, Delaware North at the Grand Canyon (newly promoted from Bronze to  Silver-level BFB status), and the nonprofit group League to Save Lake Tahoe (newly promoted from Silver to Gold).

From iconic outdoor destinations to small rural businesses, this round’s Bicycle Friendly Businesses represent a diverse mix of industries and communities each contributing to a stronger culture for better biking.

List of all Fall 2025 Awards + Honorable Mentions | List of all Current BFBs

Award Levels and Notable Honorees

• Platinum (9): The prestigious Platinum award went to nine organizations, including two planning firms whose pro-bike values translate seamlessly into their engineering and design projects: renewing RDG Planning & Design in Des Moines, IA and Toole Design Group in Bentonville, AR. Other notable Platinum awardees include three bike nonprofits: Boise Bicycle Project (renewing), Nashville’s Bike Fun (moving up from Gold), and the Virginia-based Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg, which, along with Toole’s Bentonville office, both achieved the rare accomplishment of attaining Platinum status on their very first application.
• Gold (13): Thirteen organizations were recognized with Gold-level BFB awards in this round, including four bicycle shops, major healthcare provider Tampa General Hospital (renewing Gold), and America’s oldest ski outfitter, Lahout’s in Littleton, NH, which joined the program as a new Gold-level BFB. 
• Silver (26): As the largest award category in this round, these new and renewing Silver BFBs represent a diverse range of industries. Among the group is Mayo Clinic, the largest employer in the BFB program with over 48,000 employees. Silver-level honorees also include a dog training business, a food co-op, an ice cream shop, government agencies, and a community garden, among others. 
• Bronze (17): Nine of the seventeen Bronze awardees are joining the BFB program for the first time, including Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg, WI; Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina; and Culver’s of Bentonville, AR. Among renewing Bronze BFBs, the Florida Aquarium stands out for its continued work to help some of its nearly 3,000 daily visitors and over 200 employees arrive by bike more often. 

Hear from some of this round’s honorees about what being a Bicycle Friendly Business means to them:

Bike Fun’s “All Ages Learn to Ride” kick-off in April 2025

“At a learn-to-ride follow-up the other day, a 34-year-old student finally figured out how to use the pedals to push to start. As we were riding around the big parking lot, she kept shaking her head and saying, ‘This is amazing.’ The impact [of biking] on individuals is immeasurable, and it’s what keeps us going, human by human, pedal push by pedal push.” — Bike Fun (Platinum-level BFB in Nashville, TN)

Cyclists riding along the Hermit Road Greenway. Photo courtesy Sarah Neal.

“The most positive outcome of our company’s support for bicycling is happier, more mobile employees and enhanced accessibility for everyone to get around. During peak visitation months, roads and parking lots in the park can become congested, but the Grand Canyon’s extensive network of bike trails allows employees and guests to bypass the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed, scenic experience.” — Delaware North at Grand Canyon (Silver-level BFB in Grand Canyon Village, AZ)

Tampa Mayor’s BTWD, March 13, 2025, Westshore group, including HDR’s Steven Schukraft, pauses at EcoCounter.

“As roadway and bridge engineers, healthcare and education architects, and urban planners, we are professionally committed to providing infrastructure for cyclists. Giving [our employees] first-hand experience with cycling helps them better incorporate this type of infrastructure into their design.” — HDR Tampa (Silver-level BFB in Tampa, FL)

Together, this group of new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses shows how employers of every size and industry can help create safer streets, healthier workplaces, and more connected neighborhoods. If your business would like to join the movement, submissions for the next round of the Bicycle Friendly Business program are due on March 10th, 2026.

Learn more about the program and how your workplace can become a Bicycle Friendly Business at bikeleague.org/business.

Apply for BFB Status About the League Of American Bicyclists

Since 1880, the League of American Bicyclists has been people-powered, with a goal to make bicycling safer and easier as a means of transportation and recreation. Today, the League continues to improve lives and strengthen communities through bicycling. We are more than 200,000 members and supporters strong with more than 1,000 state and local advocacy groups and bike clubs as well as thousands of businesses, universities, and communities together leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. 

About the Bicycle Friendly Business Program

Bicycle Friendly Business awards reflect local leaders’ ongoing work to build better places to bike and evaluate those efforts as part of a national movement. Each of the five levels of the Bicycle Friendly Business award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, plus an honorable mention category – provides a clear path for businesses to continuously improve. Visit bikeleague.org/business to learn more about the BFB program.

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On Wednesday, February 4th, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing on Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), titled “Hit the Road, Mac: The Future of Self-Driving Cars.” Leading up to the hearing, the League of American Bicyclists submitted a letter for the record, reiterating our support for an AV regulatory framework that includes a “vision test” ensuring safety for people biking and walking and incorporates the safety tenets we developed with other safety organizations.

Watching the roughly two and a half hours hearing, I don’t believe that either a “vision test” or the “tenets” were mentioned. But, two key phrases emerged in testimony and questions that I think are likely to end up as important parts of any federal regulatory framework that is put forward under this Congress.

Before turning to some technical discussion of those key terms, there were a few standout remarks by Senators and witnesses that deserve highlighting for those who don’t want to read through my 60ish Bluesky posts.

• Senator Maria Cantwell, the committee’s ranking member from Washington State, made a great comment at the opening of the hearing that whatever the promise of AVs, we have technology that can save lives today like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). We are currently asking people to contact Congress expressing their support for cyclist-AEB so that people who bike will get the safety benefits of AEB and Senator Cantwell’s comment highlighted this currently available technology.
• Not many senators mentioned specific legislation, but two mentioned bills the League has supported:
  • Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) talked about the importance of the HALT Act, which requires technology to detect and prevent drunk driving. The League supported the inclusion of the HALT Act in the last transportation bill and looks forward to its implementation.
  • Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) talked about the Stay In Your Lane Act, which requires AV companies to report on their Operational Design Domains (ODD) and not operate outside of ODD for which they are designed. ODD are used by AV companies to ensure that systems can handle different contexts, such as dense urban areas, school zones, or rural country roads. The League has signed on in support of the Stay In Your Lane Act and hopes that it is incorporated into the next transportation bill.
• Witness Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina, made a point that Senator Cantwell reiterated: “people are dying today not because we are careful about automated driving but, rather, because we are careless about road safety generally.” While he is an expert on AV law, he noted that the difference in traffic safety between the United States and other countries is not “a vast secret fleet of automated vehicles” but instead the ability to safely “cross the street” and encouraged senators to think beyond AVs to improve traffic safety.

Now onto the two key terms likely to determine whether our priorities are included in an AV regulatory framework.

Safety Case

Several senators asked about different aspects of what a safety case is and how it might address questions about AV safety from their constituents. Both Waymo and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association made requiring a safety case a core part of their appeal for a federal regulatory framework. According to the written testimony of Waymo, a safety case is “a structured argument, supported by a body of evidence that provides a compelling, comprehensible and valid case that a system is, or will be, adequately safe for a given application in a given environment.”

A safety case requirement can be consistent with our priority of a “vision test,” but a safety case is also different from how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has typically approached vehicle regulation. A safety case can often lack performance data or specific performance standards. Most of NHTSA’s vehicle regulation that currently exists is through Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that specify the performance of vehicle components and manufacturers self-certify that their vehicles meet those performance standards. The worst case for a safety case is that it is self-certification on steroids, essentially serving as documentation of internal processes, and is required but not public.

Behavioral Competencies

As the League has advocated for a vision test for nearly a decade, we have described it as a test that verifies minimum performance standards related to how AVs detect and respond to all road users, including people biking and walking.

Behavioral competencies may capture much of what we want from a “vision test” for AVs. Discussion of behavioral competencies primarily came from the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, which listed it as one of the key ways that senators could take action to promote American leadership in AV technology. While it is not a term that occurs frequently in policy documents issued by USDOT, it is a term with a history of development through California regulations, research, AV industry participants, and several best practice documents issued by the Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC) program of the SAE (formerly Society of Automotive Engineers) Industry Technology Consortia. 

Behavioral competencies are often described in terms similar to what we would expect from a vision test and behaviors related to people biking and walking are included. In the AVSC document, “Best Practice for Evaluation of Behavioral Competencies for Automated Driving System Dedicated Vehicles,” they describe behavioral competencies as an “approach, to some extent, [that] resembles a human driver test.” Within the Elemental Set of Behavioral Competencies provided in that AVSC best practice document, “Responding to Vulnerable Road Users” by “maintaining a safety envelope with respect to VRUs” is one of 13 behaviors listed. Similarly, in a California “Peer Review of Behavioral Competencies for AVs” published in 2016, “detect and respond to bicyclists, pedestrians, and animals” is one of ten behavioral competencies reviewed.

From AVSC document, Best Practice for Evaluation of Behavioral Competencies for Automated Driving System Dedicated Vehicles

The House of Representatives includes behavioral competencies as “ADS (Automated Driving System) competencies” in the latest version of the SELF DRIVE Act, specifying that one competency required is that “[a]n ADS can detect and respond appropriately to any vulnerable road user likely to be present and in proximity to the ADS in the relevant ODD (Operational Design Domain).” In that legislation, the safety case it requires would include “[a]n explanation of how the ADS-equipped vehicle meets each competency listed [in the paragraph describing ADS competencies].”

In order to be similar to a “vision test” as promoted by the League, behavioral competencies would have to be actually shown through data. Mere explanation as contemplated by the safety case in the House’s SELF DRIVE Act is not enough. Actual evidence of behavioral competencies through objective data that shows the safety envelope afforded in several specific scenarios or other important context-sensitive behavior, such as slowing down, is what we mean when we say “vision test.”

The post Hit the Road, Mac: The Future of Self-Driving Cars appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

From coast to coast, the last two years of League Cycling Advocacy Workshops have brought together scores of bike enthusiasts across the country for firsthand learning opportunities on what it takes to be an effective advocate for better biking. In 2026, we’re bringing this bike advocacy training to two new cities: Oakland, California, and Chicago, Illinois. 

These workshops are intended to give emerging leaders and advocates the tools, training, and confidence to create meaningful change in their communities. Led by the nation’s leading bike advocacy organization, the League’s Cycling Advocacy Workshops help build a strong, connected network of changemakers dedicated to growing the movement and improving biking for everyone.

What the Workshop Offers

This one-day, in-person workshop (with some online prep beforehand) is a hands-on learning experience designed to equip you with everything you need to be an effective bike advocate. You’ll:

• Explore the history of bike advocacy and how to build momentum in your community
• Learn to organize, engage with policymakers, and make the case for safer streets
• Gain skills and knowledge around coalition building, equity, funding, storytelling, and mobility justice
• Participate in group exercises, including an advocacy-themed bike ride and a networking happy hour
• Connect with local experts, League staff, and fellow changemakers 
• Receive pre-workshop curated educational materials and certification as a League Cycling Advocate

By the end of the workshop and accompanying readings, you’ll leave ready to implement the ideas, strategies, and practical applications in your community that build the bike movement at the local level.

New in 2026!

In past years, these workshops have taken place over the course of three days. After feedback from attendees, we’ve decided to make the workshops more flexible (and travel-friendly) by providing pre-workshop content online. This allows the in-person workshop to take just one full day, without losing any of the core topics, interactive sessions, and fun activities that make past workshops so effective.

Who should attend?

The workshop is geared toward emerging leaders, advocates newly entering the bike movement, and anyone else interested in gaining League certification as a bike advocate. Seats are open to anyone, but space is limited, and pre-registration is required. 

Benefits of becoming a League Cycling Advocate

• Hear expert advice on how to get started and get organized
• Acquire the vocabulary and must-know skills to keep your advocacy work rolling
• Gain access to a network of bike-minded peers
• Get access to curated learning materials and presentations
• Boost your resume as an officially certified League Cycling Advocate

2026 Workshop Details

• Oakland, California (Summer 2026)
  • Time/Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: Bike East Bay Office (Jack London Square, 466 Water Street, Oakland, CA 94607)
  • Cost: $100 + Individual League Membership (includes lunch, materials, and LCA certification)
  • Registration: Click here to register for the Oakland LCA workshop

• Chicago, Illinois (Fall 2026)
  • Time/Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: Illinois Medical District Commission 
  • Cost: $100 + Individual League Membership (includes lunch, materials, and LCA certification)
  • Registration: Coming soon! Subscribe to our eNews to hear when registration goes live.

Want to learn more about the League Cycling Advocate program? Read about past workshops and learn more on the LCA webpage here.

The post Change Starts with You: Join a 2026 Bike Advocacy Workshop appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

Each January, transportation leaders, researchers, and advocates gather in Washington, DC, for the Transportation Research Board (TRB) annual convening to share ideas and connect around the future of transportation. 

This year, several League staff members attended sessions, shared our work, and spent time in conversation with partners and peers. Some attended Transportation Camp on the Saturday before TRB week, while others participated in the Crossroads Convening later in the week. Together, these spaces offered important insights into where transportation research, policy, and advocacy are headed, and what that means for bike advocates right now.

Below are reflections and takeaways from a few League staff members, in their own words.

What is the biggest takeaway for bike advocates? 

• Ken: A speaker said that we “need visionaries at this moment,” and I think that’s important. Especially as we are now often playing defense, we also need to have a positive vision of what the future looks like, whether that’s an individual project or a revitalized institution like the Transportation Research Board.
• Anna: Based on my experience at Crossroads, my biggest takeaway was that TRB (and really, all related work) must continue to factor in equity to make the data, case studies, and research as robust as possible. One session at Crossroads really emphasized that researchers and practitioners who limit the factors of their work to exclude equity will have work that is lacking, less comprehensive, and less robust. Consistently applying an equity lens will make your outcomes more deeply impactful and insightful, whether you’re conducting research or doing on-the-ground work.
• Will: During a session on surface transportation reauthorization, Beth Osborne, the President and CEO of Smart Growth America (and a longtime former Hill staffer), shared some key knowledge. She told us that you do not have a powerful seat at the negotiating table unless you can declare that you will pull support – and actually mean it and follow through. Beth discussed how this is particularly hard for advocates in the active transportation space. This is a timely lesson, considering there are lots of (understandable) worries around the next reauthorization bill.  The session echoed the idea we’ve heard from many of our peers, that negotiating an extension of the current reauthorization bill is a better bet than settling for a less-than-ideal one.

Was there a moment, conversation, or session that stuck with you this week?

• Ken: Several speakers who previously worked at USDOT mentioned that USDOT does not develop projects; communities do. Whatever changes may happen at the federal level, you can lay the groundwork for change by having a local pipeline of bicycle projects. 
• Anna: The entire Crossroads Convening, which was at capacity and overflowed to online attendance to accommodate everyone, just showed that people WANT to talk about equity, do the work, and continue making progress in this area. 
• Will: I, too, was struck by Crossroads Convening being at capacity. My biggest takeaway from these events was a conversation that I had with a PhD student from UC Irvine, Montana Reinoehl. He was using his schoolwork to research racial equity in Los Angeles’ mobility investments ahead of the 2028 Olympics. It was great to see someone without a formal organizational affiliation taking initiative and applying novel approaches to this work.

What was it like to share the League’s work and perspective in these spaces?

Anna speaking at a session during the Crossroads Convening.

• Anna: Someone told me they were really glad to hear that the League is doing more work at the local level, sharing that they are excited to see how this unfolds and want to support this new chapter.
• Ken: Researchers at TRB were worried about e-bike backlash due to confusion and unregulated e-motos. Many looked to federal agencies for clarity, and while I could share the League’s efforts supporting federal regulation, I cautioned that federal regulation is unlikely in the near-term.
• Will: Several folks at Transportation Camp mentioned that they wanted to have some focused data on the benefits of biking and trails. I mentioned to them that I am working on gathering state economic benefit data on bicycling and trails ahead of the National Bike Summit, and would share it with them once complete. I even got to connect with the chairperson of the Capital Trails Coalition, which did an in-depth report on the economic impact of multi-use trails throughout the DMV several years ago, who said she looked forward to seeing what data was gathered. 

What left you feeling energized, encouraged, or hopeful coming out of TRB week?

• Anna: It’s encouraging to know that, despite what the federal government is saying or limiting, practitioners, researchers, and the public are continuing to work on equity goals and feel encouraged to continue the conversation beyond the convening and into the future. 
• Ken: Maybe this isn’t the most positive thing, but one speaker remarked on the current trend of dissolving institutions that “dismantling provides the opportunity to build anew.” It’s a challenging idea, but also a reminder that institutions haven’t worked well for people who bike in the past, and now there are opportunities to reshape systems and work toward a more hopeful future. 

These reflections on Transportation Research Board week make it clear that even in a challenging moment for federal transportation policy, momentum continues through local leadership, robust research, and meaningful collaboration across the field. The League leaves these conversations grounded in what we heard and energized by the people doing the work, as we continue supporting communities and advocates working to make bicycling safer, more equitable, and more accessible nationwide.

The post Transportation Research Board Week: Reflections from League Staff appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

Today, the League joined the American Hiking Society, American Trails, PeopleForBikes, Rails to Trails Conservancy, and the Safe Routes Partnership – plus more than 1,100 nonprofit organizations, businesses, corporations and elected officials in sending a letter to Congress with a clear message: walking and biking infrastructure is essential to the vitality, safety and economic resilience of communities small and large nationwide. 

The next surface transportation bill is currently being drafted and we’ve heard a congressional  leader on this, Rep. Sam Graves, say that there would be no funding for “bike paths or walking paths. We’re going to spend money on traditional infrastructure — that’s roads and bridges.”   

Now is not the time to eliminate federal funding for trails, walking and biking. Americans need safe ways to navigate their communities and build more Bicycle Friendly Communities – and that requires robust investments in bicycling and walking infrastructure.

Visit KeepAmericaActive.org to learn more about our collaboration on this important letter at this critical moment.

Read our press statement here and the letter with signers below.

Download

The post A United Call to Congress: Walking and Biking Infrastructure Matters appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

The fourth year of grant awards for the popular Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program were announced on December 23, 2025. The 2025 round is the first round of awards administered by the Trump administration after Congress created the SS4A program in 2021’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Most discretionary grant programs, like SS4A, see each administration put their own emphasis on grant priorities.

Throughout 2025, the Trump administration took several actions to change the SS4A program:

• It reduced the number of application deadlines from three to one;
• It issued a memo and reviewed grants based on certain elements, including whether the primary purpose of activities was to create bicycle infrastructure;
• It issued an order outlining priorities in grant consideration, with families as one priority consideration; and
• In the notice of funding opportunity there were several new and revised criteria, such as replacing consideration of historically disadvantaged communities with consideration of areas of persistent poverty.

Though awards have now been announced, we still don’t have all the data to say how these changes impacted SS4A grant considerations and awards. But, we can use the data we have to provide some insight on how the program’s priorities have changed under the Trump administration. 

One thing is clear, reducing applications to a single deadline did not diminish the popularity of this program, with many more requests for funding submitted than could be funded and more funds awarded than in either of the first two years of the program. In rejection letters to applicants, the administration stated that 75% of applications could not be funded given available funding – showing the tremendous interest and need in safety investments.

A clear change in the projects receiving awards is that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Proven Safety Countermeasures were referenced in almost a third of project descriptions in 2025, after being referenced in no more than 3% of winning project descriptions in any prior round. Proven Safety Countermeasures is an initiative within FHWA that promotes 28 countermeasures and strategies with research-backed effectiveness for reducing fatalities and serious injuries.

Awarded project descriptions also show that worst-case scenarios for vulnerable road user safety did not come to pass. Despite the administration’s review of prior grants for bicycle infrastructure, a slightly higher percentage of approved project descriptions included bike or bicycle than in previous grant rounds. Pedestrians and walk-related terms also appeared in a higher percentage of project descriptions. Terms like “Vision Zero” and “Safe System Approach” also saw increased usage consistent with trends that occurred under the previous administration.

However, several terms showed the effect of different priorities by the Trump administration. Terms like “equity” and “road diet” which have been prominently attacked in administration communications did not appear in any funded project descriptions. Terms related to post-crash care saw an increase, with “emergency” found in 10% of project descriptions after not being in more than 2% in any prior round.

Share of SS4A funds under Biden, under Trump, change between administrations, and share of US population for each state.

It’s a bit harder to tell how the administration’s project selection priorities related to issues like marriage and birth rates have impacted project selection. The overall number of grants and funding amounts was down from 2024 because 2024 used leftover funds from 2022 and 2023. This means that most states saw a decrease in grants and grant amounts, but there are still clear changes in the share of funding received by each state.

If you’re looking for evidence that high marriage and birth rates impacted grants, then the increase in grants to core middle American states running from North Dakota to Oklahoma could be seen as good evidence of the impact of that priority. However, some neighboring states with higher marriage and birth rates, like Minnesota, saw a smaller share of funding. Many southern states, which often have higher birth rates, but lower marriage rates saw a larger share of funding. However, Texas saw a lower share of funding despite generally having higher marriage and birth rates than southern states. These differences might be explained by more local data, but further analysis will be needed to see what, if any, impact that priority has had.

The SS4A program remains one of the best sources of federal funding for safety projects and planning. It is one of very few discretionary grant programs that communities can directly apply for funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation. As communities look forward to its last round under the authorization given by Congress in 2021, we hope that this trend analysis can help create successful applications and better projects.

The post Trends in 2025 Safe Streets for All Grants appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.

by Odochi Akwani, Writer and Content Manager (originally posted via Better Bike Share Partnership)

We spoke with Neil Walker, a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) and educator based in Pittsburgh, on the benefits of bike share.

Neil Walker’s passion for biking came when it changed the course of his life in his young adulthood. As a college basketball player, Walker experienced a serious knee injury that took him off the court. “I was watching the atrophy set in,” he says.

Thanks to a specialist who was a trainer for the New York Mets, Walker was introduced to the benefits of biking after not wanting to undergo another surgery. The trainer told him to ride his 10-speed bike for three months and come see him afterward.

“I rode the bike, and literally, it healed my knee,” says Walker. “I felt alive again. I was able to exercise again, and it reenergized me. It really gave me hope. I never went back to see that specialist, I never had the surgery, and I’ve been riding a bike ever since.”

Now, Walker is a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) and educator based in Pittsburgh who helps youth and adults discover the joys and benefits of cycling through his organization Cycles and Change. Walker was born and raised in Homewood, which is the neighborhood where POGOH is carrying out its Living Lab work. 

BBSP had the honor of meeting Neil last July during our Living Labs cohort retreat hosted by POGOH in Pittsburgh. We were moved by his story and his lifelong commitment to connecting others to the many benefits of bicycling. And as we heard from him, it’s not just about physical benefits. Neil knows from his years of experience that bicycling expands people’s worldview, particularly the worldview of young people. We agree.

Walker works with POGOH to lead “Learn to Ride” classes throughout Homewood, allowing him to go back to the neighborhood in which he grew up and share his love for biking.

“I’m able to identify and connect with people who look like me and maybe have never considered a bicycle as a means of transportation,” says Walker. “If you’re biking, then you can go to the store, you can go to the library, you can go places that previously you only figured you needed a car to get to.”

Want to read more stories about cycling educators? Check out the League’s series of LCI spotlights here »

The lack of infrastructure to support shared micromobility is something that Walker notes as a challenge. There aren’t many trails or bike lanes, but the streets are wide and one-way, which can help with feeling safer while riding. Additionally, bike share may be the only option for many residents.

“The bus service in Homewood is very limited. So again, the bicycle becomes a means of transportation, not an Uber, which can be costly,” says Walker. “It becomes an alternative form of transportation, versus the bus or motor vehicle.”

Walker hopes to see a comprehensive plan to increase the number of bike lanes in the Homewood community, seeing it as the next iteration of how to improve and increase ridership in Homewood. Partnerships like those with The Promise Center of Homewood and Homewood’s YMCA have helped bring learn to ride classes to residents, but more visibility is necessary to change mindsets around what cycling can offer.

“With this upcoming season, I think the awareness of creating a bicycle culture through bicycling events is important,” says Walker. “The more that people see it, the more it becomes one of those things where people are curious and want to try it out. What POGOH is doing, in collaboration with Bike Pittsburgh, has really created a culture in Homewood that did not exist prior.”

Neil Walker (center right) coaching an LCI-in-training during a 2024 BikePGH LCI Training. Source:BikePGH on Flickr.

Outside of Homewood, Walker leads seminars for the League of American Bicyclists, teaching other people to become instructors like himself, holding private lessons, or leading groups on multi-day, long-distance bike rides across the country. The programming is for all ages, too. He’s seen 10-year-olds to seniors who’ve been prescribed biking as a low-impact means for exercise and rehabilitation.  

“Cycles and Change allows me to step into a space and use my expertise to make sure that you’re understanding the right way to ride, the safe way to ride, and understand the language of bicycling. Things that are going to make it safe for you on a bicycle now that you are part of the transportation system,” says Walker. “Cycles and Change does exactly all of those things, whether it’s a private lesson or you take a class.”

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This blog was originally posted through the Better Bike Share Partnership. The Better Bike Share Partnership is funded by Freedom Together Foundation as a collaboration between the City of Philadelphia, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and the PeopleForBikes Foundation to build equitable and replicable bike share systems. Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign up for their weekly newsletter.

The post Neil Walker Shares The Power of The Bicycle appeared first on League of American Bicyclists.