TBC/BikeTexas Named Finalist for Regional Planning Award

Texas Bicycle Coalition / BikeTexas has been named a finalist for a 2008 Envision Central Texas (ECT) Community Stewardship Award. ECT is a regional non-profit planning organization established in 2001 which brings together a broad array of elected and public officials, neighborhood advocates, business leaders, land developers and transportation groups together into one process to develop a solid foundation for transportation and other planning decisions over a five-county area.

Texas Bicycle Coalition was nominated by Dick Kallerman, ECT Board Member and Save Our Springs Alliance Chair. “Texas Bicycle Coalition has played a pivotal role in making Central Texas a better place for cycling,” said Kallerman. “Their efforts resulted in tens of millions of dollars for trails and bicycle facilities in the region. They have played a key role in bringing Safe Routes to School monies to Texas. I am pleased that they made the finalist list.”

The awards jury making the finalist selections consisted of leaders in urban planning from around the nation. From a pool of 47 nominees, Texas Bicycle Coalition joins 17 other individuals and organizations selected for five different categories and faces stiff competition from five other finalists in the Pioneer Category, including State Representative Mike Krusee, Chair of the Texas House Transportation Committee.

“The board and staff of Texas Bicycle Coalition are excited and honored to be in such good company as a finalist for such a prestigious award,” said Executive Director Robin Stallings. “Advocates know well that today’s successes are founded in the hard work that began many years ago, just as endeavors undertaken today may take many years to bear fruit. The prospect of winning this award motivates us to continue to make these long-term investments in effort.”

The winners will be announced at the Envision Central Texas Awards Luncheon on Friday May 2, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Austin. Keynote speaker will be John Fregonese, principal of Fregonese Associates in Portland, Oregon. In addition to his work as the lead consultant to the Envision Central Texas Initiative, Mr. Fregonese has consulted for Envision Utah, Chicago Metropolis 2020, Louisiana Speaks and SCAG in Southern California.

Luncheon tickets are available through ECT Staff Member Wendy Peeples at (512) 916-6012 or through the ECT website at www.envisioncentraltexas.org.

above: Slide from Envision Central Texas Preferred Scenario Presentation. Click here to view the complete presentation on the ECT website.