SAVE THE DATES: 2004 NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT®, MARCH 3-5
Don't miss the 2004 National Bike Summit®, convened by the League of American Bicyclists, March 3-5 in Washington, DC. Join bicycle advocates; bike industry leaders; transportation, public health, and environmental professionals; key legislators; and government officials for the National Bike Summit® in our nation's capital. This valuable three-day educational forum on improving bicycling policies and initiatives includes an important day educating decision-makers on Capitol Hill. Full issue briefings and training will be provided and the League will coordinate scheduling meetings with your Members of Congress. At the close of the day, we will host a reception on the Hill for Summit participants, legislators and staff. On Friday afternoon, pedal around historic Washington, DC, and our national monuments with the members and staff of the Congressional Bike Caucus and the Senate Bike Caucus.

The 2004 Summit will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, close to the White House, Capitol Hill, and the Metro system. Discounted room rates available at the JW Marriott (202.393.2000 or 800.228.9290) and the Hotel Washington (202.638.5900 or 800.424.9540). All guests must refer to the National Bike Summit® for the discounts. Bikes may be kept in your hotel rooms. Reserve rooms as soon as possible; space is limited. Don't miss this critical opportunity to make an impact for the future of bicycling. Visit National Bike Summit® for details; online registration available December 12.

To make the event more useful to state and local activists, we have issued a "call for papers/presentations" to help us identify the critical issues currently facing the bicycling and walking community. The deadline for submission of proposals for papers and presentations is December 12. Questions?

ATTENTION FLORIDA CYCLISTS: SUPPORT BIKE LANES ON FLORIDA A1A IN PALM BEACH COUNTY
Bike lanes were supposed to be added to State Route A1A in Palm Beach County as part of a routine resurfacing project. Local cyclists want them; the city and metropolitan planning organizations have included them in their plans for years; the Florida DOT designed the resurfacing project to include them - as per a state law requiring such automatic inclusion of bicycle accommodations. A1A is a popular bicycle route in South Florida. Recreational rides flock to the scenic road to enjoy views of the ocean and it is a critical access routes for bicycle commuters.

The County has one of the worst bicycle safety records in the state, and Florida has one of the worst bicycle crash records in the nation. In 2001, eleven cyclists were killed on the streets of Palm Beach County, more than one in ten of the 107 cyclists killed statewide. A rider was killed just last month - struck from behind by a pick-up truck and run over by both the truck and its trailer.

Despite this, a handful of well-connected local homeowners - many of whom have built their driveways and landscaping in the right-of-way - object to the inclusion of bike lanes in the project, and even to the addition of a sidewalk. They are using their connections to Governor Jeb Bush and Transportation Secretary Jose Abreu to get the bike lanes and sidewalk stripped from the project. If you're a Florida cyclist, visit the League's Advocacy Center to ask Governor Bush and Secretary Abreu to respect the wishes of local cyclists, city and regional governments, and Florida's own statutes, and to support the inclusion of bike lanes in the resurfacing of State Route A1A in Palm Beach County.

GIVE THE GIFT OF BETTER BICYCLING TO A FRIEND
Lance says, "I am proud to be a member of the League of American Bicyclists. I look at it as an investment in our future. After all, the more that people are biking, the more influence cyclists will have on improving conditions, and the more likely there will be other American Tour de France champions." With a gift of League membership, you can provide your friends the gift of better bicycling. Not only will they receive all the great benefits of League membership, but you'll also help make their cycling future safer and more enjoyable. We will make every attempt to send out new member information by the end of the year-but no guarantees can be made on specific delivery dates.

RIDE YOUR BIKE IN LA!
Each year, the normally busy streets of Los Angeles are closed to all traffic for the Acura L.A. Bike Tour, one of the most popular cycling events in the world for a growing number of participants. Be there March 7, 2004, as a host of celebrities lead the over 15,000 assembled riders at a comfortable, yet challenging pace, from the Tour's start in a park between USC and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, through Koreatown and Hancock Park, to the finish at USC. The streets are cleared of all motor vehicles for the over 20 miles of the ride, so you can look forward to hearing nothing but the sound of your fellow cyclists touring the traffic-free streets of Los Angeles for this one rare day each year. For more info or to register, visit Acura L.A. Bike Tour.

FREE TEST RIDES
Bicycletest.com, a product review website for road cyclists, is letting League members test-ride the site for free, during the month of December. If you want to know what bikes and products live up to their claims, and which ones are just a lot of hype, this is the place to go. To take the site for a spin, just point your browser to Bicycletest.com and enter under Username: LAB and Password: League.

DISCOUNTED ADMISSION TO ADVENTURES IN TRAVEL EXPO
League of American Bicyclists members can get a $5 discount on the full admission price of $15 for admission to the Adventures in Travel Expo, presented by the New York Post, January 10 and 11 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. See over 400 exhibitors from around the globe, including destinations, outfitters, tour companies, adventure organizations, and gear and apparel manufacturers, with pavilions on U.S. and foreign destinations including Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, Asia Pacific, Canada, Central and South America, Africa, and the South Pacific.

Stop by the League's booth and learn more about our programs and our work on leading issues, including the Bicycle Friendly Communities Campaign, the National Bike Summit®, National Bike MonthTM, and BikeEd. Activities covered at the Expo will include cycling (of course), white water rafting, scuba and kayaking (visit the 25,000 gallon 4' deep dive and kayak pool), winter sports, hiking, rainforest canopy tours (try out the 120' zip line over the Show floor), photography workshops, and more. To receive your discounted pass, please log onto www.adventureexpo.com and enter the special League promotion code: LOAC.

HELP BLIND ATHLETES IN PENNSYLVANIA
The Pennsylvania Association for Blind Athletes (PABA) is working to promote recreational and competitive tandem cycling for blind athletes. Tandem bike racing is a national and international sport for the blind, and PABA offers Mid-Atlantic Sports Clinics and the annual Northeast Regional Games. PABA is seeking the donation of good quality tandem bikes suitable for ages 8 and up and trailer bikes in good condition. PABA is a 30-year old 501 (c)(3) non-profit statewide organization dedicated to promoting and providing recreation and sports opportunities to blind and visually impaired youth and adults. Visit PABA to learn more about their great work. To donate a tandem or trailer bike or make a contribution to help purchase one or to volunteer, write mailto:sandyw1994@....

TYLER HAMILTON FOUNDATION KICK-OFF GALA
On January 8 at the Cyclorama in Boston, Tour de France hero Tyler Hamilton will kick off his foundation dedicated to providing opportunity and access to individuals with multiple sclerosis and aspiring young cyclists. Visit Tyler Hamilton Foundation to learn more and purchase tickets or contribute.