Hi all,

Saw this news article last week on the BFA-oz list,
this link is via Bikes Belong http://bikesbelong.org -
a worthly site worth your perusal. An example of
lobbying/advocacy etc etc etc that should be taken as
a excellent example of what can be achieved in the
longterm. What do you think? Relevant to Australia and
recent cycling issues? (read the full article below)

In other news, the Wheels of Justice group was started
to create dialogue and assist with positive changes
for cyclists on Australian roads. During the last week
we've had many new members. So please feel free to
join the WoJ group and contribute your thoughts,
constructive criticism and discussions. Even if we go
a little off-topic sometimes ;)

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/wheelsofjustice/
http://bicyclejustice.blogspot.com

This Friday 6pm+, 12th August, Melbourne Wheels of
Justice will be meeting up again down at Mountain Goat
in Richmond. (Warehouse 1, 18 River Street Richmond.
Entrance is on North Street just by the corner of
Clarke St) All welcome.

If you're a BUG or bike club member, how about
considering a social meetup for like-minded cyclists?
Chatting via email is useful for forging links but
meeting face-to-face is absolutely vital.
cheers,

Chris

(PS, Leave the car at home & take the bike to the next
Farmers Market this Saturday 13th August! Collingwood
Children's Farm, St Helier Street, Abbotsford, every
2nd Saturday, 8.00am - 1.00pm)


New Federal Transportation Law Authorizes Billions for
Bicycling
http://bikesbelong.org/site/page.cfm?pageid=245

Lobbying and Political News

New Federal Transportation Law Authorizes Billions for
Bicycling
The new federal transportation bill approved July 29
by Congress will make bicycling safer, more
convenient, and more fun for all Americans.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU) authorizes as much as $4 billion in new
federal spending on bike paths, trails, and related
programs through September 2009. Every U.S. state and
virtually every city should benefit.

The gains for bicycling were largely engineered by the
America Bikes Coalition, an unprecedented alliance of
eight non-profit organizations, which received primary
funding from the Bikes Belong Coalition. Supported by
bicycle industry suppliers and retailers, Bikes Belong
invested $2 million in this successful campaign. Based
in Colorado, Bikes Belong is the national bicycle
industry advocacy group dedicated to putting more
people on bicycles more often.

SAFETEA-LU’s total dollar authorization (for highways
and mass transit as well as bicycling and walking) is
$286.5 billion, or roughly $1,000 for every American
man, woman, and child. Here’s a short list of the ways
this law will benefit bicycling:

* Two key programs, Transportation Enhancements
and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, could
contribute close to $2 billion for new bike paths,
lanes, and safe crossings.

* The law includes $612 million for a new federal
Safe Routes to School program that will help
communities create safe ways for kids to pedal and
walk to school.

* An average of $70 million per year is authorized
for the Recreational Trails Program, which pays for
the construction and repair of trails. This
$20-million-per-year increase will provide meaningful
improvements for mountain biking.

* Another $100 million has been approved for a new
program called Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot
Programs designed to develop model bicycle/pedestrian
cities in Columbia, Missouri; Sheboygan, Wisconsin;
Marin County, California; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

* SAFETEA-LU includes more than $500 million (and
perhaps as much as $1 billion) in guaranteed funding
for high-priority projects with bicycling components
that were requested by individual members of Congress.
(This figure is still being calculated.)

For the last five years, Bikes Belong’s number one
goal has been maximizing bike funding in this bill.
Bikes Belong paid most of the operational and lobbying
costs incurred by America Bikes, a coalition that
includes Adventure Cycling Association, Association of
Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, International
Mountain Bicycling Association, League of American
Bicyclists, National Center for Bicycling and Walking,
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Thunderhead Alliance, as
well as Bike Belong. Bikes Belong also invested close
to $1 million on a grassroots grants program designed
to garner support for bicycling from members of
Congress once they saw the benefits of new bike
facilities in their home districts.

“This transportation bill should be at least $1
billion better for bicycling than the last bill that
passed in 1998,” said Bikes Belong executive director
Tim Blumenthal. “In a time when the federal budget is
severely strained and most programs have been cut or
flat-funded, our gain is especially significant.

“The entire bike industry came together and worked
with bicycle advocacy groups in an energetic,
effective campaign,” Blumenthal continued. “It’s proof
that when we stand united, bicycling benefits.”

Blumenthal said the member groups of America Bikes as
well as local government agencies and advocacy groups
still have lots of work to make sure the authorized
money gets spent on bicycling. He said the new Safe
Routes to School program is a special opportunity that
promises tremendous benefits to children and the
communities where they live.

“We were successful because we banded together to
support great advocates and lobbyists,” he said. “All
of these groups and individuals, as well as the
leaders of Congress who backed us, richly deserve our
thanks and continuing support.

“We were also successful because bicycling makes good
sense for America. It boosts our economy, improves our
health and our communities, and is a life-long
activity for people all across America. We’ll keep
working to make sure that the promise of this bill is
realized so that it becomes one of the very best
developments in the long, storied history of bicycling
in America.”

For more information about the details of SAFETEA-LU
and suggestions on how you can stay involved, visit
americabikes.org






Yarra Bicycle Users Group
------------------------------------------------------
Abbotsford, Alphington, Burnley, Carlton North,
Clifton Hill, Cremorne, Collingwood, Fairfield,
Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Princes Hill, Richmond
------------------------------------------------------
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yarrabug

www.yarrabug.org

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