This year’s National Bike Summit, hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, was a huge success drawing dedicated bicycle advocates from all over the country. As a hybrid summit, attendees were able to participate in person or virtually, allowing access for those who would not otherwise have been able to make it, and providing some much needed face to face time for those who were. A joyous reunion for many who have missed the exponential creative energy that inevitably multiplies when you gather enough bike minded folks together in the spirit of a more Bicycle Friendly America.
Presentations were offered both in person and online and covered a wide range of topics including federal funding guidance for active transportation from DOT’s Bike and Pedestrian Program Specialist, Darren Buck, to equitable bike networks and issues of gentrification with Stephanie Brodie from Toole Design. As in years past, the League crafted a packed agenda with some of the most forward thinking, innovative, and influential bicycle advocates both nationally and internationally. One of the many highlights of the weekend included virtual plenary speaker, Bogota Mayor, Claudia Lopez, and how she successfully built a “30-min city that prioritizes accessibility and sustainability.”
Bike Fort Collins was also proud to applaud New Belgium Brewing (NBB) – Asheville as they received their platinum level Bicycle Friendly Business award. We are eternally grateful for the continued support our organization receives from NBB and are proud of our Tour de Fat sister cities in Tempe and Asheville. Not only does New Belgium help fuel bicycle advocacy efforts in the 970, they are committed to bringing the vision and mission and party to other bike loving communities across the country. Congrats to NBB – Asheville and we look forward to a year of face-to-face Tour de Fat hoopla and shenanigans.
Closing out the Summit on Wednesday, attendees took to Capitol Hill where we met (both virtually and in person) with our respective representatives. Anna Kelso, of Bike Fort Collins, was joined by John Yeast (New Belgium Brewing), Piep van Heuven (Bicycle Colorado), and Mark Shenberger (Bike for Kids) as they spoke with staffers from the offices of Representative Neguse, Senator Bennet, and Senator Hickenlooper on two important programs within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (for which they all voted). The Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program and the Healthy Streets Program, although authorized, have not yet been funded. Using information provided by the League in the form of handy fact sheets, we lobbied for their support of these programs by ensuring complete funding moving forward. We look forward to continuing these conversations with our representatives and engaging them in future multimodal transportation projects and initiatives. Senator Bennet is particularly interested in focusing his congressionally directed spending towards projects such as these.
Wednesday night’s closing reception was a joyous conclusion to the first in-person Summit in two years. We are so very grateful to the League and all their sponsors for pulling together to create a hub of energy and talent and enthusiasm as we move confidently forward into 2022. And of course no National Bike Summit reception would be complete without tasty brews from our very own New Belgium Brewing. Many thanks and we’ll see you all next year!