BikeTexas Today: November 2014

Donate Now! BikeTexas’ Legislative Fundraising Kicks Off TODAY

Make sure we hit the 2015 Lege Session with a full warchest.

Like most nonprofits, BikeTexas relies on our year-end donations to keep the lights on and the work going the rest of the year! Our year-end appeal kicks off TODAY– now’s your chance to make sure people who ride bikes continue to be represented at TxDOT meetings, legislative hearings, and all levels of government around the state. We can’t do it alone– make 2014 the year YOU partner with BikeTexas!

BikeTexas’ First Foray into Election Endorsements

austin bikefest riley martinez dogget biketexas 2014

The 2014 elections at the city level in Austin were epic: an expanded City Council, 70 candidates, and ten new districts.

The BikeTexas board of directors voted to amend our bylaws to allow BikeTexas endorsements in Austin’s first 10-1 council race. In consultation with an outstanding team of knowledgeable Austinites, BikeTexas published our first list of endorsements just in time for early voting. We’re proud to say that in every single race, one of our endorsed candidates either won outright or is in the runoff election to be held on December 16.

Inaugural Austin BikeFest Presented by Capital Metro a Success

The big day has come and gone, and we couldn’t be happier with the inaugural Austin BikeFest presented by Capital Metro.

Many, many thanks to those who came out to enjoy a great day of bicycles, music, food, beer, and fun! Maybe you rode on the newly-opened Southern Walnut Creek Trail, were inspired by the fashion show on bicycles, watched some bike games, or heard from your city council candidate– or a little bit of everything!

Save the Date!

#GivingTuesday, December 2

National Bike Summit, March 10-12, Washington, D.C.

Cyclists in Suits: Texas’ Bike Lobby Day, March 30, Austin

You Biked the Vote!

The voting is done and the results are in, and it’s a new day in Texas.

We’re headed into the 2015 legislative session with many unknowns. There will be new faces in both chambers come January, and many of those new legislators will need to be educated about people who walk and ride bikes. We’re unsure where the new Governor and Lt. Governor stand on the issues that are important to Texans who use active transportation.

Member Spotlight: Lorn MacDougal

“When I walk, I miss the feeling of the wheels moving me through space.”

Lorn MacDougal—dancer/Pilates instructor, electric bike owner, Austin resident, and BikeTexas member—says she started riding a bike when she was a kid and never stopped. “I hope that parents will instill the skill and bravery in children to ride together as families so children grow up on their bikes.”

Meet BikeTexas Intern Haley Kortrostami

BikeTexas is proud to introduce our fall intern, Raheleh “Haley” Kortrostami.

Haley is an accounting student at Austin Community College and started interning with us in September. In the short time she’s been with us, Haley has proven to be an invaluable asset, working hard at everything we’ve asked her to do, from hauling bikes to data entry. Haley also proved her uber-volunteer status at the Austin BikeFest, when she and her husband Payam worked hard alongside BikeTexas staff from start to finish to make it a great day.

Update: Texas Transportation Commisssion Votes on Transportation Alternatives Funding

People who ride bikes in Texas have stepped up again and again to communicate with TxDOT and show that Texans who care about biking and walking are strong. And TxDOT keeps letting us down.

Last week, we saw the adjusted TAP rules and our reaction was mixed. Because of your voice, the rules for TAP funding were improved, and communities will have an easier time building projects with TAP funds. However, we were very disappointed that the TxDOT staff and the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) did not ensure that all of the TAP money stays where it belongs.

Bike Ride at the 78th Texas NAACP Convention

2014 marks the fifth year of a bike ride at the Annual Convention of the NAACP Texas State Conference. This year’s conference was in El Paso, so three BikeTexas staff plus 75 bicycles headed out on a Wednesday morning to get to El Paso in plenty of time for the Saturday ride.

The ride is sponsored by Texas NAACP and Walmart, and this year we had the added bonus of having VeloPaso staff and volunteers lending a hand. VeloPaso’s Victor Cordero and Scott White joined BikeTexas for a pre-ride to assess the best route for Saturday.

Texas State Employees: Support Bicycle Advocacy!

Are you a Texas State Employee? Do you want to do great things for bicycle advocacy and education? You can support BikeTexas through your workplace charitable giving campaign!

Our State Employee Charitable Campaign number is 035558– be sure to choose this number when you fill out your Charitable Giving form. If you prefer, you can also support BikeTexas indirectly by giving to EarthShare (035500). Thanks for making Texas a great place to ride a bike!

BikeTexas Sponsors and Members