Just out today are the 2009 rankings from the League of American Bicyclists, and the news isn’t good for our state. Last year, we were ranked 30th by their measures of “bike friendliness” and now we’re down to 36th. Ouch.
From the LAB website, a description of the rankings:
The Bicycle Friendly State Program is a two part recognition program that ranks and recognizes states that actively support bicycling. First, states are ranked annually based on their level of bike-friendliness. Secondly, states that wish to apply for a Bicycle Friendly State award designation can receive further recognition and promotion of their efforts as well as feedback, technical assistance, training and further encouragement to improve their bicycling legislation, projects, and programs.
Their press release on the issue states that “several states dramatically improved their ranking by updating their traffic codes, increasing the level of funding for bicycle improvements, implementing education implementing education programs aimed at cyclists and motorists, getting organized and hosting their first statewide bicycling conferences and events.” So I guess that means we didn’t.
No mention of what the Lone Star State did wrong, although I’m sure the fact that we have not yet passed a safe passing bill certainly hurts. Hopefully that will change this year. It seems to be that our problem ranking-wise seems to be stagnation more than anything else. Developments here in Austin, especially our new bicycle plan, seem promising but the cycling community itself needs to get a whole lot more organized and flex its political muscle.
It’s obvious we have a very long way to go in our state, so let’s get working! One way in particular you can help is to support the efforts of groups like BikeTexas and the League of Bicycling Voters with your money and your time!
Related posts:
- City of Austin, Bicycle Sport Shop get top honors from League of American Bicyclists ...
- Texas Advocates Attend National Bike Summit ...
- Austin Master Bike Plan wins State Planning Project Award ...
- Safe Passing Bill Texas House hearing Tuesday morning ...
- Tasty Touring offers diverse and tasty, if not-bike friendly, self paced trailer tour ...
on May 10th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Click on the link for the details. Unaccountably, Texas does poorly in “Education” despite strong programs, including info in the driver handbook, and it does worst of all in “2009 Evaluation,” whatever THAT is.
It ranks as #7 in Enforcement, which really says something about how low that bar is currently set!
Personally, I have to really question the value of a ranking that sets Texas six slots below Louisiana. Read their bike laws if you doubt it…