November - December 2005

Update: New York Bicycle Coalition

Joshua Poppel of the New York Bicycle Coalition (www.nybc.net) provides monthly updates on legislative advocacy in Albany and throughout the state on behalf of organizations like the Five Borough Bicycle Club:

The New York Bicycle Coalition recently received a Traffic Safety Award from AAA of NYS for our efforts to bring “Share the Road” information to more motorists across the state. This training is a very valuable component of our education and awareness campaign.

This past September, the Erie Canal Trail took another step towards its goal of being the longest recreational trail in the country. The Erie Canal Trail has become a popular tourist destination for cyclist and non-cyclists alike; it offers New York State the opportunity to be a leader in greenway development in the United States. A 6-mile segment was completed in Marcy, creating a continuous 16-mile bike and hike path between Rome and Utica. More than half of the 348-mile trail is in place and when completed the trail will connect Buffalo to Albany with an off-road greenway corridor.

Our future advocacy work will include meetings with the state’s Department of Transportation, select members of the New York State Legislature and other important organizations. We will continue to press for implementation of the Safe Routes to School Program, passage of Ryan’s Law, and increased safety and access for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

We still need your help to expand our programming. NYBC is a registered 501c3 organization (all donations are tax deductible) whose mission is to provide a coherent, credible voice for the interests of all bicyclists in the state and encourage the use of bicycles for transportation, sport, recreation and health. We are actively seeking new board members and hope to have a representative with all of the major clubs throughout the state.

NYBC will be attending some of the upcoming club meetings and working with interested parties to extend the reach of our advocacy network. Please contact us if you, your club, or anyone you know is interested in working with NYBC or having us speak at your next meeting.

Joshua Poppel, Executive Director
New York Bicycle Coalition
Joshua@nybc.net