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• Protecting vulnerable roadway users by establishing enhanced penalties for injuring or killing cyclists
• Revising the right turn hand signal to make an extended right arm legal in Michigan
• Supporting bikes on trains through the implementation of the Michigan State Rail Plan
  
• Supporting a new Michigan trails and greenways license plate to fund local trail projects
• Opposing efforts to eliminate the Michigan Complete Streets Advisory Council
• Opposing efforts to eliminate dedicated non-motorized funding in the state's transportation funding formulas
  
• Opposing "Right to Ride" legislation which elevates equestrian trail users above all other user groups, including mountain bikers
  

Learn more about these issues by downloading our 2012 Legislative Priorities packet (PDF).

Escorted by local police bike patrols, the day will start with a short road rally ride from MSU Bikes to the State Capitol where volunteers from all three organizations will educate legislators on the above policy issues that facilitate a bicycle-friendly Michigan. Lunch will be provided after legislative visits, followed by an optional afternoon ride.

Tentative Schedule:

8:30 am - Bike rally leaves from MSU Bikes to State Capitol
9:15 am – Welcome & Guest Speaker Representative Anthony Forlini
9:30 am - Issue Overview & Questions
10:15 am - Meetings with Representatives and Senators
12:45 pm - Lunch on Capitol grounds
1:45 pm - Group photo on Capitol steps
2:00 pm - "Lansing by bicycle" (self-guided ride)

Price:
Registration for Advocacy Day is $10 and includes lunch.

Registration:
Please register asap so we have ample time to prearrange meetings with both your State Representative and Senator.

REGISTER HERE

Preparation:
If you have never communicated with policy makers before, don't worry. No prior experience is needed to participate in Advocacy Day. We'll make sure that you are comfortable with the issue priorities and that you get up to speed quickly.

The Advocacy Day Primer (PDF) will answer most of your questions. We'll also give you some additional guidance and walk you through the "asks" on the day of the event.

Please do not hesitate to send any questions to John Lindenmayer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Start Location:
We sincerely appreciate our friends at MSU Bikes for once again hosting our morning ride staging area:

Michigan State University
MSU Bikes Service Center - B10 Bessey Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1033
Parking and Directions

View recap of 2011 event here.

We at LMB would like to give a huge thank you to Representative Anthony Forlini for introducing a resolution declaring May as Bike Month in Michigan!  Rep. Forlini is a bicyclist himself and encourages everyone to get out and ride. 

“I have been a bike advocate my entire life. My business office was set up so that I could easily commute to work daily.  I have sponsored bicycle trips around the world and across Michigan. Michigan, however, is one of my favorite places to ride, especially as more and more trails and on-road connections are built and because of our state’s many tremendous destinations.” - District 24 Rep. Forlini (R)

House Resolution No. 260 - Bike Month in Michigan

A resolution to declare May 2012 as Bike Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, An estimated two million Michiganders ride bicycles because it is a viable and environmentally sound form of transportation and recreation, an excellent form of fitness, and provides quality of life and a sense of place; and

Whereas, Thousands of people throughout Michigan will experience the joys of bicycling during the month of May through educational programs, commuting events, trail work days, helmet promotions, and charity rides; and

Whereas, In 2012, thousands of cyclists from across the country will participate in over 300 organized Michigan cycling events to experience our beautiful scenery, many parks, attractions, and historic sites; and

Whereas, Bicyclists are recognized as legitimate roadway users with the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers; and

Whereas, Teaching bicyclists and motorists to share the road is important to ensure the safety and comfort of all users; and

Whereas, Michigan currently has the most mileage of rail-trails in the nation; and

Whereas, Michigan has seven nationally recognized Bicycles Friendly Communities, two Bicycle Friendly Universities and numerous Bicycle Friendly Businesses; and

Whereas, Michigan currently has the most complete streets policies in the nation with at least 73 local ordinances and resolutions that ensure bicyclists will be accommodated in future transportation projects; and

Whereas, Michigan annually hosts the most Ride of Silence events in the world, an international event to honor injured and killed cyclists; and

Whereas, For two consecutive years, Michigan has applied for designation of a U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR) and will be the first state in the country to have newly designated north-south and east-west USBR's; and

Whereas, Michigan will have 811 miles of USBR's once USBR 35 is designated. This is second only to Virginia which has 838 miles of USBR's; and

Whereas, Michigan's own Horatio Earle led the Good Roads Movement that banded millions of American bicyclists together to promote safer cycling, which resulted in the creation of the Michigan State Highway Department (now MDOT) and Woodward Ave becoming the first mile of concrete highway in the world; and

Whereas, May has been declared National Bike Month by the League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, and the Michigan Mountain Biking Association to increase awareness about bicycling opportunities through organized activities such as bike-to-work days and bicycle rodeos for children; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 2012 as Bike Month in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.

LMB is pleased to continue to dialog with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) regarding driver behavior when passing cyclists on roads with rumble strips. Today, MDOT released this new 30 second "Share the Road" bicycling safety video.

To promote safety during National Bike Month, MDOT and LMB reminds drivers to stay alert, share the road safely, and be aware of all roadway users, including bicyclists.

Centerline rumble strips are a proven safety measure that can help reduce the risk of head-on collisions, injuries and, most importantly, save lives. However, the rumble strip noise discourages some drivers from passing a bicyclist at a safe distance. A 30-second video safety message created by MDOT demonstrates safe passing of a bicyclist and sharing the road respectfully. Spring and summer months increase the use of roads by bicyclists. MDOT encourages everyone to make safety a top priority.

May is National Bike Month, and Bike to Work Week is May 14-18.

State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle says MDOT is joining forces with other transportation agencies to raise awareness and spread the safety message: "Give 'em Space, Make it Safe, Please Share the Road.

League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) and Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) announce that May is Bike Month, May 14-18th is Bike to Work Week, and Friday, May 18th is Bike to Work Day. New this year, May 9th is also the inaugural National Bike to School Day.

We are currently working with Representative Anthony Forlini (R - Harrison Township), a bicyclist himself, to introduce an official Bike Month resolution in the House of Representatives similar to year's past.

Americans have been commemorating National Bike Month each May for 55 years. Timed to coincide with the arrival of warmer weather, the event has inspired countless bike rides, safety inspections, commuter challenges, ribbon cuttings, "share the road" promotions, and other celebrations of bicycling in communities across the nation.

Last year, there were 1,885 reported crashes involving bicyclists in Michigan resulting in 1,479 injuries and 24 fatalities. Fatal crashes involving bicyclists remains disproportionately high compared to other roadway users in Michigan. Bike Month is an opportunity to remind drivers and bicyclists alike to always share the road. "We join other transportation agencies during this time to raise awareness and promote our safety message: 'Give 'em Space, Make it Safe, Please Share the Road,'" stated Kirk Steudle, State Transportation Director.

The inaugural National Bike to School Day on May 9 is the first opportunity for children in communities across the country to join together and bicycle to school on the same day. The event builds on the excitement surrounding National Bike Month, as well as the popularity of Walk to School Day held each October.

Rich Moeller, Executive Director of the LMB, said, "Commuting by bicycle is rewarding on so many levels — whether it is for improved health, helping to protect the environment, saving on soaring energy costs, or just for the sheer joy of it."

"Michigan is #1 for the number of rail trail miles across the nation," said Nancy Krupiarz, Executive Director of MTGA. "Along with great on-road routes and 300 organized cycling events in across Michigan, there is no shortage of opportunities to explore the beautiful scenery and many other attractions that our state has to offer."

Bike Month will culminate on May 23 at the State Capitol where LMB, MTGA and MMBA will co-host the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day. The event is an opportunity for cyclists across the state to join together to promote the needs of the cycling community to the Michigan Legislature.

LMB annually presents awards to deserving bicyclists and businesses from across the state in the following categories:

• DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
• BICYCLE ADVOCATE
• BICYCLE EDUCATOR
• LMB VOLUNTEER
• COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR BICYCLING

We are asking for your help in nominating worthy candidates for recognition in 2012. Please visit our online nomination form to review award criteria.

Read about 2011 recipients
Read about 2010 recipients

Prepare to switch gears this spring. The National Center for Safe Routes to School is coordinating the first-ever National Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

Bike to School Day builds on the popularity and success of International Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the country–and the world–each October.  Bike to School encourages a bike-focused celebration in the month of May. The National Center, which serves as the information clearinghouse for the federal Safe Routes to School program, is planning the inaugural event in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists, the organization that leads the celebration of National Bike Month.

"Communities and schools have been holding spring walk and bicycle to school days for years," said Lauren Marchetti, director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School. "This inaugural celebration not only provides an opportunity for schools across the country to join together to celebrate National Bike to School Day but also to build off of the energy of National Bike Month."

"Celebrating Bike to School Day will increase the excitement surrounding 2012 National Bike Month," said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. "Bike Month–including Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day–has grown year after year and we're pleased to add a school- and kid-focused event to the celebration this year."

Save the date and stay tuned! A newly redesigned version of walktoschool.org was unveiled in early April with more information about Bike to School Day and new event planning resources and tools, including a new GIS-powered walking and bicycling route mapping tool. A "Win a Bike Rack" contest also is being planned to help build excitement and encourage registration of both events and resources for this inaugural event. Bookmarkwalktoschool.org and check back often to learn more.

LMB recently delivered a petition with over 2500 signatures and 350 public comments from the cycling community to Thomas C. Carper, Chairman of the Board of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), urging them to allow bicycles on board Michigan passenger trains. The petition was delivered on March 22 during the Grand Rapids stop of the Michigan Transportation Odyssey, a three-day journey from Detroit to Traverse City hosted by our partners at Trans4M to highlight the challenges and opportunities of Michigan's passenger transportation system.

LMB is urging Amtrak to establish roll-on bicycle service on Michigan's three service lines as they have implemented on other routes across the country. The petition was launched in February after the Michigan Department of Transportation finalized the Michigan State Rail Plan which states "special accommodations need to be made both to the train equipment and to stations to make rail service more accessible to people who are traveling with bicycles." The plan goes on to say, "When appropriate and feasible, older rail cars should be retrofitted and new rail cars should be built to accommodate bicycles through on board bike racks. Provisions for both short and long-term bike parking should be made at passenger rail stations across the state."

"We're committed—in new equipment purchases there will be space for bicycles," Carper said as he gave the keynote address at The Rapid's Central Station in Grand Rapids. "How we retrofit old equipment that's going to be phased out over the next two, three, four, five years—some of the equipment is older than I am. So there's a balance, a cost balance in there. How we retrofit, there's some engineering things that need to be taken into consideration."

LMB is extremely pleased at Mr. Carper's reception to the petition and are confident he will bring the concerns of the Michigan cycling community back to Washington DC with him.

While we are encouraged by Amtrak's commitment to installing bike racks on their new rolling stock, we are still asking the railroad to find short-term solutions to allow bicycles on board before this year's riding season really takes off. Bikes on trains will help support multi-modal commuting options, allowing people to cycle to over 20 Michigan Amtrak stations, ride the train, and then cycle to their final destinations. In addition, with over 300 organized cycling events throughout the state, bikes on trains could help facilitate an increase in cyclo-tourism from cyclists living along the routes stretching from Detroit to Chicago.

The Change.org online petition continues to grow in names by the day. If you have not yet added your name and comment, you can do so at: www.LMB.org/bikesontrains.