Blog Entries Blog

Victory in Idaho Speaks to Power of Grassroots
May 13, 2013: By Mary Lauran Hall, Communications Manager, Alliance for Biking & Walking Biking and walking just saw a major win in Idaho. Under the new transportation…

Looking Back, a Losing Ballot Measure Campaign Was a Big Long-Term Win
May 02, 2013: by Mary Lauran Hall, Communications Manager, Alliance for Biking & Walking Last fall, the East Bay Bicycle Coalition set out a bold plan. During the…

Webinar Tomorrow: Federal Performance Measures Webinar
Apr 22, 2013: The future of federal transportation policy may be summarized in two words: Performance Measures. Will states be required to set safety goals for people…

Campaign Update: Pennsylvania Moves Towards Dedicated Biking & Walking Funding
Apr 19, 2013: Thanks to great grassroots advocacy, Pennsylvania just got a little closer to recognizing walking and biking as truly integral components of the state’s…

Exploring Wichita by Bike
Apr 12, 2013: This article was written by Randy Rasa, from Kansas Cyclist. Randy attended the recent Navigating MAP-21 Workshop in Wichita. Read his original blog post…

Tulsa advocates say, “Fix OUR Streets”
Mar 25, 2013: At 197 square miles, the city of Tulsa is larger than San Francisco, Boston, Washington DC and Miami combined. There are enough lane miles of streets in…

How Bike Advocates Won the Super Bowl
Mar 12, 2013: by Mary Lauran Hall, Communications Manager, Alliance for Biking & Walking When asked who won Super Bowl XLVII, most people would answer that the Ravens…

Bicycling Means Business: Getting the Facts Straight
Feb 18, 2013: We know that bicycling is a simple to solution to many complex problems. One of the most pressing and politically prominent problems over the past few…

From D.C. to CA: Rapid Response Grants Having an Impact
Feb 08, 2013: They’ve helped to end unfair traffic citations for bicyclists in Washington, D.C. They’ve helped boost a campaign for dedicated biking and…

With Rapid Response Grant, WABA Improves Police Enforcement for Bicyclists in DC
Feb 04, 2013: What should advocates do when bicyclists are consistently incorrectly cited by local police? The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) has a pretty…

Legal Resource: State Bike Laws
Feb 01, 2013: A common request from advocates is a resource of laws and sample legislation. This winter, the League of American Bicyclists compiled state-specific highlights…

Welcome to the team, Darryl!
Jan 31, 2013: We're happy to welcome the newest member of the Advocacy Advance team. Darryl Turner joined us in January 2013. As the research and tracking…

Atlanta’s Big Bicycling Ambitions
Jan 29, 2013: Keep your eye on Atlanta. When your community draws 100 people to a community bike forum to listen to presentations about transportation policy –…

New Report & Webinar: Tracking Federal Funding in Your Community
Jan 24, 2013: How is my state spending its share of federal transportation funds? How much is my community investing in bicycling and walking? These common questions…

“Scramble is On” to Save a Pedestrian Crossing in Marin
Jan 17, 2013: Without a safe crossing, a highway can turn a perfectly nice walk or bike ride into a dead end. So when a transportation agency decided to take out a bike…

Pennsylvania on the Verge of a New State Transportation Law
Jan 16, 2013: The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP) faces a giant opportunity to boost Pennsylvania’s support for biking and walking in the state…

Infographic: Following MAP-21 Funding
Jan 14, 2013: The new federal transportation bill, MAP-21, reinforces the critical importance of state and local bicycle advocacy. Now that Congress has passed the law,…

Idaho and Wyoming Groups Use Rapid Response Grants to Protect Biking and Walking Dollars
Jan 11, 2013: Under the new transportation bill (MAP-21), most states saw a decrease in the amount of funding designated for bicycling and walking improvements —…

Intern with Advocacy Advance this Winter
Dec 11, 2012: Advocacy Advance is looking for an intern this Spring. The intern will gain knowledge and skills related to federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian…

Call for Proposals: National Bike Summit
Dec 04, 2012: The League of American Bicyclists has just opened its call for proposals for the 2013 National Bike Summit. They are looking for proposals on the…

Moving People or Vehicles: How Do We Grade our Roads?
Nov 28, 2012: by Darren Flusche, Policy Director, League of American Bicyclists and Advocacy Advance Whose streets work better: Atlanta or Chicago? According to the…

Workshop Hosts Celebrate Victories in 2012
Nov 27, 2012: Eight communities hosted an Advocacy Advance workshop in 2012 and pushed forward essential policies, partnerships, staffing commitments, and over $10 million…

What Does The Election Mean For Biking?
Nov 26, 2012: by Darren Flusche, Policy Director, League of American Bicyclists and Advocacy Advance The parlor games began before all the votes were even counted. Who…

Navigating MAP-21: Prioritizing Local Input in Missouri
Nov 15, 2012: by Doug Hermes, Statewide Planning Coordinator at the Missouri Association of Councils of Governments Here in the Show-Me State, we’re working…

$2 Million Win for Biking and Walking in Harrisonburg
Nov 14, 2012: In September, Advocacy Advance Workshop participants - including four of the five City Council members and Mayor of Harrisonburg - claimed that Harrisonburg…

Anchorage advocates close in on $2.3 million federal funds for bikes
Nov 13, 2012: Earlier this month, Anchorage advocates celebrated a major step towards implementation of the region’s bike plan - increasing the budget for funding…

New Orleans Gets Jazzed Over Bike Funding
Nov 09, 2012: Not many people think of New Orleans as a refuge from hurricanes, but it was the welcome location of the most recent Advocacy Advance Workshop The…

Communities Drive Budgeting Process in Chicago
Nov 07, 2012: The Active Transportation Alliance seeks to engage Chicago residents as part of a community-driven budgeting process to increase local funding for walking,…

Navigating MAP-21: Best Practices for MPOs
Nov 01, 2012: With the passage of the new transportation law, the route to federal funding for biking and walking in your community isn’t as direct as it used…

Advocates, Agency Staff, Local Electeds, U.S. Senator Agree: Bikeability Counts in Rochester
Oct 25, 2012: Rochester, New York was the location for Advocacy Advance’s first Action 2020 Workshop since the new transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress…

Good News, Bad News: Federal Highway Administration Interprets Transportation Bill
Oct 22, 2012: by Darren Flusche, Policy Director, League of American Bicyclists and Advocacy Advance The Federal Highway Administration issued guidance today to state…

Navigating MAP-21 Workshop Applications Due October 26
Oct 16, 2012: There are two weeks left to apply to host an Advocacy Advance Navigating MAP-21 Workshop in 2013. Advocacy Advance has facilitated workshops to over 500…

Bike Delaware Pushes Candidates to Support Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding
Oct 12, 2012: Election day is less than one month away; do you know where your candidates stand on bicycle and pedestrian issues? Bike Delaware is on its way to find…

Map: Economic Impacts of Bicycling
Oct 04, 2012: All eyes were on the economy in 2009 when the League released its Advocacy Advance report on The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure Investments.…

Harrisonburg: The Future Bicycle Capital of Virginia
Oct 03, 2012: Fifty community members participated in the recent Advocacy Advance Action 2020 Workshop in Harrisonburg, Virginia, to jumpstart the region’s efforts…

Navigating MAP-21 Webinar Recordings Available
Oct 01, 2012: States have a lot of flexibility in how they spend their transportation funds. Bicycling and walking projects can be built using funds intended for safety,…

Webinar TODAY: Maximizing Eligibility in MAP-21
Sep 26, 2012: Register now for this afternoon's Navigating MAP-21 webinar, “Maximizing eligibility for bicycling and walking projects under MAP-21”.…

Register Today: Navigating MAP-21 Eligibility Webinar
Sep 20, 2012: States have a lot of flexibility in how they spend their transportation funds. Bicycling and walking projects can be built using funds intended for safety,…

Navigating MAP-21: Are You Eligible?
Sep 19, 2012: No, we're not talking about whether you're eligible for a date -- though dinner with fellow cyclists is always a treat. We're talking about…

Apply to host a Navigating MAP-21 Workshop
Sep 18, 2012: Applications are now available to host an Advocacy Advance workshop in your community. Advocacy Advance has facilitated Action 2020 Workshops (now…

New Report: The Economic Benefits of Bicycling Infrastructure
Sep 17, 2012: Bicycling means business. From revitalizing a disinvested avenue in Memphis to pumping money into the economies of small towns along the…

Navigating MAP-21: Who’s Got Your Back in Your State?
Sep 12, 2012: Knowledge and passion -- that's what it takes to turn hundreds of pages of federal rules and guidance into bike lanes, sidewalks and Safe Routes to…

Navigating MAP-21: Early Victories from Coast to Coast
Sep 07, 2012: Just like the early bird gets the worm, the early organizer gets the victory. And that's been the case with the new federal transportation law, MAP-21.…

Capacity Grant Supports Record Funding in Delaware
Sep 05, 2012: Breaking state funding history, Bike Delaware wrapped up their successful Advocacy Advance Capacity Building Grant this month. Bike Delaware received a…

Capacity Building Grantee Celebrate Successes in Los Angeles
Sep 05, 2012: Making major strides in bicycle and pedestrian advocacy, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) wrapped up their Advocacy Advance Capacity Building…

Minnesota Advocates Wins State Safe Routes Program
Sep 04, 2012: The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) recently wrapped up an Advocacy Advance Rapid Response Grant to win state funding for Safe Routes to…

Next Navigating MAP-21 Webinar September 5: Register Today
Aug 31, 2012: We're starting to hear some good news from advocates across the country who are leading their statewide MAP-21 implementation efforts, and the Advocacy…

Navigating MAP-21: Getting Ready to Compete
Aug 30, 2012: With barely a month until the start of the new transportation law, MAP-21, it's time to get into the real nitty-gritty: How can you make sure the money…

New Report: An Advocate’s Guide to Elections
Aug 27, 2012: There’s a reason hundreds of bicycle advocates flock to Washington, D.C., each year for the National Bike Summit. Regardless of political persuasion,…

New Report: Making Bicycles Part of the Conversation
Aug 26, 2012: It’s a common frustration among cyclists: Elected officials and agency staff often give short shrift to cyclists and more priority to motorists when…

A Model Action 2020 Workshop in Missouri
Aug 22, 2012: The new federal transportation law, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), poses plenty of challenges for bicycling and walking. For the…

Apply by August 27 for Advocacy Advance Bike/Ped Research Intern
Aug 13, 2012: Position Description The Advocacy Advance Intern will gain knowledge and skills related to federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects and the…

The ABCs of MAP-21 Webinar: Register Today
Aug 09, 2012: Join us for our first webinar, "The ABCs of MAP-21" next Monday, August 13 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. This session…

Navigating MAP-21: How Much Money Will My State Get?
Aug 08, 2012: The new transportation law, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) creates a new…

Advocacy Advance is out to help states fully fund, fully staff and fully implement bike/ped projects
Aug 01, 2012: We are not going to let 20 years of progress in biking and walking come to a halt! It's true that the new federal transportation bill — MAP-21…

Subscribe to the Advocacy Advance E-News!
Aug 01, 2012: We just hit send on the second e-newsletter for the Advocacy Advance initiative. The Summer 2012 edition includes information about grants, workshops,…

Will Your State Fully Fund Bicycling and Walking?
Jul 26, 2012: Twenty years of experience has shown that bicycling and walking projects generally do better at lower levels of government. Cities and regions often value…

Getting Creative in Funding Bicycle Projects
Jul 26, 2012: Bicycles are here to stay as part of our transportation system. While MAP-21 reorganizes and reduces funding opportunities, advocates and agency staff…

Putting ABILITY in eligibility
Jul 25, 2012: In the five years from 2007 to 2011, states spent 1.8 billion federal transportation dollars on bicycle and pedestrian projects from sources other than…

Transportation bill would have been worse without bicyclists’ voices
Jul 25, 2012: The feeling most associated with the new federal transportation, MAP-21, is disappointment – and with good reason. It is a highway-focused bill.…

Advocacy Advance Seeks Research Intern for Fall 2012
Jul 18, 2012: Position Description The Advocacy Advance Intern will gain knowledge and skills related to federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects and the…

Finding a Route Forward Under MAP-21
Jul 09, 2012: Last week, Congress did what many thought impossible – they passed a new transportation authorization bill. President Obama is expected to sign the…

Remove McGrath: Neighborhoods Not Highways
Jun 29, 2012: LivableStreets Alliance, the latest recipient of an Advocacy Advance Rapid Response Grant, was awarded $1,000 to support advocacy efforts of their “Remove…

Which States Invest the Most Federal Dollars on Bike/Ped Projects?
Jun 28, 2012: UPDATE: I’ve taken out the SRTS and Recreational Trails data since these programs should be 100% bicycle and pedestrian spending. Sorry…

Top 10 Reasons Sen. Boxer Must Keep Her Word on Bike/Ped Programs
Jun 22, 2012: by Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists This post originally appeared on the League of American Bicyclists blog. For the past 20…

Updated Tools for Increasing Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Funding
Jun 21, 2012: Despite all the tumult with the federal transportation bill, one modest source of safety funding is likely to continue: the Highway Safety Improvement…

Advocacy Advance Awards $25,000 in Grants
Jun 20, 2012: With $25,000 in grants, Advocacy Advance will boost the growth of young advocacy organizations and dramatically increase biking and walking in Mississippi…

Why Cardin-Cochran?
Jun 08, 2012: While selected members of Congress and their staff meet around the clock to hammer out the details of a new transportation bill, we've been asking…

Bridging the Hudson in Upstate New York
Jun 07, 2012: Bridges are a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Advocates must take advantage of the chance to ensure bicycle and pedestrian access to connect communities…

Road to Nowhere? Nah, Bike Paths Everywhere!
May 25, 2012: May in Alaska boasts 18 daylight hours to ride a bike. The next best way to spend a day and a half of spring is figuring out how to make riding a bike…

Advocacy Advance Summer Internship
May 24, 2012: Position Description The Advocacy Advance Intern will gain knowledge and skills related to federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects and the…

Window Closing Fast on Final Transportation Bill—Call Your Reps
May 22, 2012: A small group of House and Senate leaders are still negotiating on the final transportation bill right now. The window is closing fast on our last real…

2012 Bicycle Friendly State Rankings Just Announced
May 22, 2012: This morning, the League of American Bicyclists released the 2012 Bicycle Friendly States ranking. For the fifth year in a row, Washington continues…

Bikes, Tourists, and all that Jazz
May 22, 2012: When you think of New Orleans, what comes to mind? The tragic reminds us of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation that followed it and still remains. The…

BikeWalkKC Completes Advocacy Advance Grant
Apr 23, 2012: In Fall 2010, Advocacy Advance awarded the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation a $30,000 grant to create a local advocacy organization…

House Passes Modified Extension; Spares Bike/Ped
Apr 19, 2012: Yesterday, the House passed a 90-day extension of the current transportation authorization law. Unlike past extensions, this one includes amendments related…

One Billion for Bikes: Momentum in the East Bay
Apr 19, 2012: The East Bay Bicycle Coalition (EBBC) is meeting the funding opportunity of a generation with the assistance of an Advocacy Advance Rapid…

Education for Everyone in Atlanta
Apr 18, 2012: It may seem like I’m blogging about Georgia a lot lately, and it’s for good reason. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is one of two Advocacy…

Bicycle Coalition of Maine Completes Innovation Grant
Apr 17, 2012: The Bicycle Coalition of Maine, a recipient of a Fall 2010 Advocacy Advance Innovation Grant, completed its “Community Spokes Grassroots…

Local Advocacy Pushes Minnesota DOT to Reassess Bridge Design
Mar 14, 2012: The past six months has seen significant progress in the campaign to include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations on the Interstate 90 Dresbach…

New Report on Statewide Organizations and Federal Funding
Mar 13, 2012: While Congress creates the framework, the most important decisions about the use of federal funds are made at the state and regional level. As the…

Capacity Building Grant Inquiries Due Friday
Mar 05, 2012: Inquiry proposals for Advocacy Advance’s Capacity Building Grants are due this Friday, March 9. This year, $25,000 in grants will be…

Another Success in Atlanta: Q&A with Action 2020 Workshop Participants
Feb 27, 2012: Earlier this month, the Advocacy Advance team had a wonderful experience — and a great bike ride — at the Atlanta Action 2020 Workshop. A group…

Rapid Response Grant Supports SRTS Innovation in Minnesota
Feb 23, 2012: Is the federal transportation reauthorization process getting you down? Take a page from the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota’s book and innovate…

Everything You Need to Apply for a Capacity Building Grant
Feb 23, 2012: Last week, the Alliance for Biking & Walking hosted two question-and-answer calls for advocates interested in applying for 2012 Advocacy Advance…

Action 2020 Workshop Applications Due Next Friday
Feb 17, 2012: Applications to host Action 2020 Workshops are due next Friday, February 24 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern). Advocates, agency staff, and/or elected…

Subscribe to the Advocacy Advance E-News!
Feb 07, 2012: We just hit send on the first quarterly e-newsletter for the Advocacy Advance initiative. The Winter 2012 edition includes information about…

Apply for a Capacity Building Grant
Jan 30, 2012: Advocacy Advance is offering $25,000 in Capacity Building Grants this year to member organizations of the Alliance for Biking & Walking and League…

House Bill Threatens Dedicated Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding
Jan 26, 2012: By Mary Lauran Hall, Communications Coordinator, America Bikes For the past 20 years, the federal transportation program has included dedicated…

Pittsburgh Action 2020
Jan 25, 2012: A blast of snow, ice, and cold is no match for a bicycle-friendly Pittsburgh. A group of over 50 advocates, agency staff, and elected officials met…

New Report Ranks Cities and States on Bicycling and Walking
Jan 24, 2012: In a new report, Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, the Alliance for Biking & Walking ranks all 50 states…

Applications for 2012 Action 2020 Workshop Now Available
Jan 17, 2012: Advocacy Advance is now accepting applications for its 2012 Action 2020 Workshops. These workshops bring together advocates, agency staff,…

Oregon Advocates Propel Bike Share in Portland
Jan 11, 2012: This summer, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Oregon’s statewide advocacy organization, received a $3,000 Advocacy Advance Rapid…

California Bicycle Coalition Completes Advocacy Advance Startup Grant
Jan 03, 2012: The California Bicycle Coalition (CBC), a recipient of a Fall 2010 Advocacy Advance Grant, completed its $30,000 “Leveraging the Bike Power…

Livable Memphis Completes Advocacy Advance Innovation Grant
Jan 03, 2012: Last month, Livable Memphis, a recipient of a Fall 2010 Advocacy Advance Grant, completed its “Overton-Broad Connector” Innovation Grant…

Connecticut Action 2020 Workshop Empowers Advocates and Officials
Dec 22, 2011: More than 50 Connecticut advocates and officials from every single county in the state turned out for a successful Action 2020 Workshop in Hartford,…

Does Pittsburgh receive the same share of federal funds for biking and walking?
Oct 27, 2011: Bike Pittsburgh took a dive last week into the world of Congestion Management and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding on bike-pgh.org/blog to explore whether…

Act Now: Transportation Enhancements Under Attack Again
Oct 27, 2011: Please Contact your Senators Again Today to Save Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding It’s happening again. Just one month ago, Sen. Coburn…

Tucson Action 2020 Workshop an Energizing Success
Oct 10, 2011: When you call up a Tucson bicycling advocate, you might find her setting up a dinner with a travelling bike advocacy speaker. Or maybe she’s heading…

Rapid Response Grant Supports Urgent Bridge Campaign
Aug 29, 2011: In 2009, Wisconsin enacted a statewide Complete Streets policy, ensuring all roadways are designed and constructed with all users in mind. In 2010, its…