A study of over 1,000 people conducted by Princeton found overwhelming support for increased funding for bike and walk projects.

Graphic from Americabikes.org

The executive summary describes the survey process:

Participants were first asked to estimate what percentage of federal transportation funding is currently spent on sidewalks, bike lanes, and bike paths. Participants were then were asked to say what percentage of transportation funds should be spent on biking and walking infrastructure.Respondents then learned that less than 2 percent of transportation funding goes to sidewalks, bike lanes, and bike paths; 17 percent is used for public transportation; and 80 percent is used for roads and highways. Respondents were asked if the percentage that goes to biking and walking should increase, decrease, or stay about the same.

Download the Executive Summary and the Full Report White Paper report. Read more at America Bikes

• 83 percent of all respondents support maintaining or growing federal funding for sidewalks, bikeways, and bike paths.
• 80 percent of Republican respondents and 88 percent of Democrat respondents think Congress should maintain or increase federal funds for biking and walking.
• 85 percent of Northeastern respondents, 79 percent of Midwesterners, 84 percent of Southerners, and 84 percent of respondents from Western states reported support for maintaining or increasing funding for sidewalks and bikeways.
• 91 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 support continuing or increasing biking and walking funds.

To register for our 25th annual Bike Virginia Tour, June 22-27, 2012 visit www.bikevirginia.org 

For those who ride a lot, you probably own and wear cycling specific clothing, sometimes referred to as a “kit”. The shirts are called jerseys  and usually have pockets across the back, and the shorts we call… shorts. They are often made of technical fabrics like lycra or other blends that quickly move sweat away from your body, helping it evaporate so you stay cool. The shorts can have padding which helps prevent pressure spots and chafing from saddles. In cooler months we have windproof gear that can cover the rider from toe to head.

Me driving SAG on a route scouting trip for our event. Our staff riders are kitted up in riding gear from head to toe.

We look odd to others. “Funny”, “Obnoxious”, “Weird”, “Dumb”, “Dorky”  These are the words non-riders often use to describe a rider in a kit.

We are pretty oblivious to the names. If you wear these things often and long enough you start to forget that you even have riding gear on. Sometimes I end up in the grocery store, clopping around in my riding shoes, jersey, shorts, and even helmet. I’m used to the weird looks now.

I’ve noticed a funny thing though, and other riders have been making comments to me that support what I find. I am treated nicer on the road by motorists when I am not wearing cycling gear.

Yes, you read that correctly, the way I look when I am riding affects the amount of courtesy I’m shown on the road.

I speculate about this with my fellow advocates. We think that riders who look like “normal” every day people in casual clothes look more like the drivers themselves. They identify with the guy in t-shirt and shorts, or the girl in a sundress, more than “Mr. Fast” and “Ms. I’m-A-Wealthy-Cyclist”, even if that is far from the case.

This leads me to ponder the question, are we hurting ourselves by looking different?  Do motorists see people in kits as elite snobs? Do we look wealthy in our “fancy” riding clothes a time where people are struggling to make ends meet?  Are we setting ourselves apart, looking different when we want be recognized and respected as just a human on a bike?

Maybe we are adding to the road hate that exists by setting ourselves apart in appearance. We’ve known for centuries that looking different can cause either good or bad attention.

I posed this question to my mom. She’s a very casual, once-in-a-while rider. On the other hand she drives a lot. “Yes, I do feel different based on what they are wearing” she said, “I guess I sort of assume people in casual clothes are riding because the have to, for some reason I find myself giving them more room. Maybe its because I think that people who are dressed in work clothes or street clothes might not be as steady of a rider as those wearing spandex.”

Hmmm.Interesting. I appreciated her honesty and insight.

I even do it myself. Steroetyping based on clothing. I’ve looked at people on bikes and thought, “oh he must be riding to work,” or that “person doesn’t have a car,” when it’s pouring rain or getting cold. I usually  follow that thought quickly by wishing I had a set of lights to give them.

I’ve definitely thought about how a person might only have a bike a transportation based on the clothes  or shoes they are wearing. And I am an advocate so I want people to be able to ride when they need to ride. And when they want to ride by choice.

Ever seen someone riding in construction work boots? I have. I assumed they were riding to or from work. I find myself respecting their need and use of the road. Do I slow down a little more, maybe push over to give them more room?

Then I see a cyclist in a kit. They are riding faster, maybe hugging the line more. I think, “out training, getting exercise.” It obviously speaks of someone who has the leisure time and means to ride.

Now I’m wondering if I subconsciously give them less space because they look like a bicyclist who knows what they are doing?  I don’t honestly know how I have been affected by this subtle difference, and I’m in the industry.

So, ponder this. Should we try to blend in with others more? Would there be less roadway hate if people thought of us as one of them, you know, working people, dads, and sons, and mothers, and daughters, and clerks, and cooks, and artists?

Not one of those people…

We are in the minority after all, in 2000-2008 census data showed that less than 0.55 percent or people use a bicycle as primary transportation, and other studies show that less than 1/3 of the US population over age 16 use a bike for recreation each year.

Maybe we are hurting ourselves by looking like bicyclists.

Like to add your comments on this topic? Take our quick Survey.

Share the Road Media Graphic

Written by Dr. Kim Perry, Executive Director

It happened again today. I’m setting here cringing and shaking my head, completely confounded by what I read and the amount of rage that is out there in the online world about bicycles. I got pointed to an article about bicycling on a blog (online news, forum, or any other location where people can post replies, doesn’t matter the where because the outcome is all the same).

This particular story on Salon was about how bicyclists may be fueling the rage by acting like snobs.

People were writing in the comment section with such hate. They were blasting obscenities at one another. Name calling. Telling bicycles to “get off the Road!” and you’re a “pain in the A–!” And of course the we pay taxes on our motorized vehicles and gas stabs had to come into the mix too.

Of course the arguments quickly diverged into other topics of high emotional charge like public transit and healthcare reform.

But the core of what I saw there was what I’ve seen this time and time again on articles on bicycling big and small, from local newspapers to national magazines. The ugliness can turn the brightest of stories into an ugly, hate spewing shouting match.

What is wrong with us? Why do people hate bicycles and those who ride so much? This thing with 2 wheels is so harmless and so helpful. And the people who ride them are just people. I mean come on. Name calling? Threats of violence. Using cars as weapons against people on bikes? It happens. Sadly there are far too many instances about hostility online and on the road.

Some of the attitudes are so juvenile and petty. Are we in middle school here? Why the us versus them mentality? This place we live, our planet, our country, our state, our town, it belongs to all of us.

I am shocked and extremely saddened about the general state of feelings about people on bikes. No other place in the world has such hate for bikes and the people that ride them than the US. The land of the free, the home of choice. Really? Why can’t someone choose to ride a bike. It’s doesn’t harm the car driver. It actually saves the roads, less wear and tear. And the air we all breathe is cleaner. It frees up parking and reduces congestion. And our healthcare costs all go down when people get healthier.

We should be thanking people for riding instead of driving their pollution spewing gas guzzling 14 mile to the gallon SUV. We should thank people for exercising. We should beg for bike paths and lanes so when we do drive our cars we won’t have to sit in traffic or circle the block looking for parking. We could even have more green space and less of those monster parking lots that sit nearly empty most of the time.

Please, please, please let’s do what we can to stop this hate. Do your part in being positive about bicycling and riding responsibly.

Remember people ride bicycles for all kinds of reasons. Riders are not a “they”, riders are one of you. They have families, children, jobs, homes, student loans, mortgages, stresses, and worries, just like all of us. Some people ride because they have no choice, others because they love the inexpensive, healthy enjoyable feel of using a bicycle.

I ask that you be the change you want to see. Stop hating  and arguing online. Share joys. Speak up about the good of the bike. We can overcome the ugliness and turn the tide toward acceptance, but it takes a village to do this.

The more we talk about biking the more strength we have in the movement toward more bike-able communities, the safer our roads will be. Share the news about Bike Month and other important points about bicycling. Here are some Facebook, Twitter, and Email Talking Points:

Twitter:

Bike Month is here. Join the celebration by taking a ride.

Make biking safer, talk to your friends about sharing the road.

Its bike month. Be visible, blink or be bright.

National bike month means its time to ride!

It’s national bike month. Have you hugged your bike today?

Share the road. Ride on the right, with traffic.

Share the road. Stop when you should. Don’t make haters.

Riding like a jerk only makes drivers hate bikes.

Facebook

It’s Bike Month! Does your bike have cobwebs? Shame on you!

It’s National Bike Month. Dust off that cruiser and hit the road.

It’s Bike Month. Learn the ABC Bike Check. Air, Brakes, Chain. Make sure your gear is in good working order.

National Bike Month, Share the Road, ride on the right. Stop when you should. Obey the laws. Everyone will get along better.

It’s National Bike Month. Take a kid riding. Help a friend learn the joys and freedom of 2 wheels.

“Nothing beats the simple pleasure of a bike ride,” John F Kenedy.  Happy National Bike Month!

“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race”, H.G. Wells. Happy National Bike Month!

Share the love this month. It’s National Bike Month. Take a friend riding.

Share the love this month. It’s National Bike Month. Give an old bike a new home. Someone will cherish whether for transportation or pleasure.

Be Bright or Blink. It’s National Bike Month. Being Visible is not just in vogue, it’s safer.

Email Talking Points

May is National Bike Month. Celebrate the bicycle by taking a ride. It’s a great way to get exercise, to run errands, and to commute to work. Not only can riding can make you feel great and be happier, reduce stress, and even save you money.

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May is National Bike Month. Take a ride to celebrate the freedom and pleasure of bicycling. Riding can be safe and enjoyable when you take some basic steps. First, check your bike’s mechanical parts before heading out and be sure to dress brightly, wear reflective material and use lights in and around dark. Ride with traffic and be sure to obey all the traffic laws. Learn more about  Sharing the Road at www.bikeva.org

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May is National Bike Month. The bike has been around as a form of transportation and recreation since  the 1800′s. Once upon a time nearly everyone rode. Now riders, even children who ride are in the minority.

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Bicycling is a great mode of human powered transportation and is needed more than every today during this time of traffic congestion, pollution, and obesity.May is National Bike Month across the country.

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Bike riding can burn 250-over 1,000 calories per hour. It is safer on joints than running and even walking. Not only do you get a great workout, riding is a wonderful way to see the world around you. May is National Bike Month. Give it a spin!

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Getting out of the car and onto the bicycle makes you more connected with your surroundings and your neighbors.May is National Bike Month. Celebrate by taking a spin. Life is better behind the handlebars.

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Biking is important. May is National Bike Month. Ask your elected officials to build safe places for people to ride. Bike paths. Places in parks.  Bike lanes. Ask businesses to provide a place for bike parking. Ask employers for bike parking and showers.

Facts (From BikesBelong.org)

Did you know that….

• The average American househould spends $7,179 per year on owning and driving their cars. (Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2010)
• On a round-trip commute of 10 miles, bicyclists save around $10 daily. (Commute Solutions, 2011)
• Traffic congestion wastes nearly 3.9 billion gallons of gas per year in the U.S. (Texas Transportation Institute, 2010)
• For every 1 mile pedaled rather than driven, nearly 1 pound of CO_² (0.88 lbs) is saved. (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2009)

These points and a great collection of other bicycling facts can be found at www.bikesbelong.org

Be sure to listen for our Bike Virginia Bike Month PSA radio campaign on college radio stations across the commonwealth and follow us on Facebook for updates on Bike Month, riding events, and other bike advocacy. Catch us on Radio Disney on Sunday May 13 .

National Bike to School Day- May 9

Schools across the state are taking part in Bike to School Day. See a list at www.walkbiketoschool.org  Learn how to create and event and register your school at http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/ready/about-the-events/bike-to-school-day

New River Valley

Blacksburg Cycle Chic – Fashion Show and Commuter Celebration, Speaker – Elly Blue (Grist, Bikenomics), May 1st, VT Graduate Life Center,https://www.facebook.com/events/318152684916597/ and http://blacksburgcyclechic.blogspot.com/

2012 Ride of Silence, May 16, Radford. http://www.radfordpl.org/pathways/?p=191

Christiansburg FixFest, Bike Repair Clinic, http://fixfest.wordpress.com/

Eastern Virginia

Norfolk Botanical Gardens begins its Bike Nights program on Monday, April 2. Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday through Oct. 15, guests can ride through the flowery trail from 4 to 7 p.m. You must bring your own bike to ride. Tram and boat tours also are offered from April to October during the day.  Admission to the garden costs $9 for adults, $7 for children. Call 441-5830 for more information.

Northern Virginia

Bike Fest, May 11, Eastern Market. An evening of fun and fundraising for WABA. Washington Area Bicyclist Association

Bike DC, May 13, offering an 11 mile and 24 mile tour of DC. Ride where you never get to ride!   bikedc.net

Bike to Work Day, May 18. Join thousands of others on this fantastic commute. biketoworkmetrodc.org

Climate Ride, May 19-23. This “For Cause” rides from DC to NYC. climateride.org

FABB ride to the Udvar-Hazy Center,  May 5, http://fabbridemuseum.eventbrite.com/

Williamsburg

A whole calendar of events, something for every day of the month of May at williamsburgbikemonth.org

Pedal the Parkway, May 5, Join in on an 8.2 Mile ride on the Colonial Parkway, Free Event. williamsburgbikemonth.org

Norfolk

Bike Fest, May 5, Riding, tune-ups, safety clinics, entertainment and Cinco de May celebration. norfolkbikemonth.com

Ocean View Ride, May 27, 8.7 mile ride. norfolkbikemonth.com

Roanoke

Mayor’s Ride, May 5, 3 mile trail ride,  bikeroanoke.com

Bike Shorts, Film Festival, May 10, bikeroanoke.com

Night Rider’s Ball, May 18, entertainment, fundraiser for greenway, bikeroanoke.com

Roanoke Open Streets Festival, May 27, all kinds of recreation on the closed streets. www.ridesolutions.org/openstreets

Richmond

A commuter Challenge is taking place all month long. riderichmond.net

Details on Bike to Work Day in Development. riderichmond.net

Ashland Clunker Cruiser Ride, May 12, details on Facebook

Cannon Greenway Ribbon Cutting, May 5, details on Facebook

Charlottesville

Mon, May 14: Cross Town Ride to Bike Week News ConferenceWed, May 16: Ride of Silence Charlottesville - 4 volunteers needed at 6:15pm
Thurs, May 17: Bike Commuting 101
Fri, May 18: Bike To Work Day Energizer Stations
Sat, May 19: C’ville Tour de Coop -and also- Tour de MadisonSat, May 26: Bike Prom
Sun, May 27: Annual Children’s Bicycle Rodeo

Individuals

We work to inspire people to ride and to create communities that are bicycle friendly. We provide resources and information to thousands of people a year through our home website and our resources website. We give guidance to those seeking help. We put smiles on over 2,000 peoples faces a year with our annual Bike Virginia Tour.

Communities

We work with communities to facilitate change. We provide tools and examples of successful projects and programs. We sponsor grants to help make bicycling initiatives happen. We generate over $2.8 Million per year in economic stimulation with our Bike Virginia Tour

The State

We work on legislative issues to make Virginia a safer, more enjoyable place to ride. We stimulate tourism on the state level though promoting bicycle tourism. Our news and blog stories raise awareness of initiatives and help lead people to bicycling destinations across the state.

Google Map View of Shore Drive

The bike lane came to be after years of work from local and state advocates working to raise awareness of elected officials and planners.

The 3.5 mile bike lane was added to Shore Drive at a cost of $1.4 million, a roadway that according to an article at PilotOnline.com was the site of 116 reported accidents “involving cars and bicycles in 2011.”

Congratulations to Virginia Beach and all the parties that made this great accomplishment possible. Be sure to take a spin on the bike lane next time you are in the area.

Some examples from communities across the state include:

• Month ride calendar with a variety of ride types.
• Bike Rodeo for kids
• New Ride events
• Open Streets Events: Check out the Open Streets Project for event ideas.
• Show a Bike Movie
• Take a Friend Riding Day
• Teach a basic maintenance class.
• Trail day

Join in the fight to save lives by reducing distracted driving crashes. Sign on as a partner and help spread the word. Drive Smart Virginia has prepared an entire kit of materials to make it easy.

Distracted driving is on the mind of bicyclists. Fear of drivers on the road that are using mobile phones, putting on make-up, or otherwise not paying attention was the number one concern of over 14,000 cyclists surveyed about bicycling.

Please take the pledge to be safe on the road and help spread this very important message to others.