Basically this bill would do much harm to programs that benefit cycling like:

-Make Transportation Enhancement optional (much of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System has been built with this funding).
-Repeal the Safe Routes to School program (our partnership with Coconino County Safe Kids and the Coconino County HEalth Department that helps to provide free and subsidized helmets to kids benefits from this money.)
-Eliminate funding for State Bike/pedestrian coordinators.

..and more.

Our comment letter is here.

From the League of American Cyclists:

“Moments ago, Congressman John Mica (R-FL) announced the introduction of the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act. The proposed bill eliminates dedicated funding for bicycling and walking as we feared, and it goes much further and systematically removes bicycling from the Federal transportation program. It basically eliminates our status and standing in the planning and design of our transportation system — a massive step backwards for individuals, communities and our nation. It’s a step back to a 1950s highway- and auto-only program that makes no sense in the 21st century.

The bill reverses 20 years of progress by:
destroying Transportation Enhancements by making it optional;
repealing the Safe Routes to School program, reversing years of progress in creating safe ways for kids to walk and ride bicycles to school;
allowing states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles;
eliminating bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs; and
eliminating language that insures that rumble strips “do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled.”
On Thursday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee will mark-up the bill and Representatives Petri (R-WI) and Johnson (R-IL) will sponsor an amendment that restores dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Representatives Petri and Johnson can only be successful if everyone with a stake in safe sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways contacts their representative today.

Because of these urgent new developments, and the vital importance of a HUGE turnout on Capitol Hill in March, the National Bike Summit early bird registration deadline has been extended to Feb 20. We need every single cyclist in Washington, D.C. that the city can hold (and that’s thousands …). Register today!

Stay in touch by visiting bikeleague.org and americabikes.org for background and breaking news. “

MBAA organizes the annual State mountain bike race series, and also contribute to trail work through encouraging racers to volunteer in exchange for additional points toward the State championship title.

A huge thanks to these guys for giving some back to the local trails.

WHEN:
Saturday, January 21, 2012
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

WHERE:
Mescal Trail… The east shoulder on Long Canyon Road 0.1 mile north of Boyton Pass Road, West Sedona

What to bring
Sturdy Closed-Toe Shoes
Long Pants
Work Gloves
Glasses or Sunglasses
H2O
Great Attitude!!!

Please click the link to RSVP, contact Jennifer Burns for more info: jmburns@fs.fed.us

The Mescal trail day has been rescheduled to another date. Mescal still needs archeological work before work can begin. Instead we will finish the Chuck Wagon trail. So….

Be sure to bring: Sturdy Closed-Toe Shoes, Long Pants, Work Gloves, Glasses or Sunglasses, H2O, Lunch, Great Attitude!!!

Optional gear to bring: Shovel, Rake, Lopping Pruners, Pruning Saw, MT BIKE!!!!!

Click here for more info and to RSVP!

MORE INFO AND PLEASE RSVP HERE!

The City Council will be reviewing these new bicycle ordinances at their meeting scheduled for December 6th at City Hall. The proposed revisions have been discussed and reviewed extensively by the Bicycle Advisory Committee for the past several years. On June 3, 2010, the Bicycle Advi…sory Committee unanimously approved a motion to recommend the proposed revisions to Title 9, Chapter 05, of the Flagstaff City Code to the Traffic Commission. On July 7, 2010, the proposed revisions were reviewed by the City’s Transportation Commission and recommended to the City Council.

You can check out the new ordinances here.

City Council Meetings start at 5:30 pm. At this point we are not sure at what time the Council will be reviewing the bicycle ordinance revisions during the evening.

Here’s a short description of the movies:

IF I RIDE
“We all ride for our own reasons, but we all want the same thing: a better future for bicycling. “If I Ride” is a bicycle rider’s poem to biking. Our goal at Peopleforbikes.org is to gather a million names of support, to speak with one, powerful voice—to make bicycling safer, more convenient and appealing for everyone. Simply put, we believe that life is far more enjoyable when its experienced on two wheels. We believe that by coming together, we can make our world a better place to ride.”

WITH MY OWN TWO WHEELS
“For many Americans, the bicycle is a choice, an expensive toy, an eco-conscious mode of transportation. For others across the globe, it is much more. For a health worker in Zambia, it’s a means of reaching twice as many patients. For a teenager in India, it provides access to education. For a farmer in Guatemala, it’s a way to help neighbors reduce their impact on the environment. This film weaves together their experiences into a single story about how the bicycle can change the world.”

LE GRAND DETOUR
“Delphine and Damien ride across forbidden Tibet on their tandem bike for 2.5 months and make a break along the way in Lhassa to capture the Tibetan folk’s unmovable faith under Chinese occupation. Luckily enough, the Chinese authorities decide not to stop them. They then reach Nepal and India, where they experience the hardest cultural gap they’ve ever known. Exhausted but marveling at India’s incredible life, they finally make it back home through the Old Continent—Turkey, Bulgaria, Bosnia—meeting fascinating people on the way.”

Check out more details on the movies here!  We hope to see you tonight!!

Please click HERE to see what you’ll need to bring and other important information.

We encourage everyone to attend and assist in the implementation of this amazing trail. For more information on the Flagstaff Loop Trail, see here.

With your help, we can get this section completed on this day, thereby providing connectivity for the Flagstaff Loop Trail from the Cheshire area to the top of Observatory Mesa and the Flagstaff Urban Trail.

From downtown Flagstaff, Take US-180, Fort Valley Rd for approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto W Blue Willow Rd. Take the 1st left onto N Tillie Ln. Meeting location will be signed.

Click here for a map to the meeting location.

Sponsored by:

Board of Supervisors

For more information on this trail day event, contact: looptrail@flagstaffbiking.org

“This REI grant is a great example of how we are able to leverage our relationships with governmental groups like the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County and the Forest Service to channel support from a company like REI into a project like the Flagstaff Loop Trail that benefits the whole community,” states Anthony Quintile, Trail Program coordinator for Flagstaff Biking Organization. “Having the ability to work locally with a group like ACE, who brings expertise and a strong volunteer ethic to the equation, is icing on the cake.”

The goal of the Flagstaff Loop Trail is to provide an exceptional multiuse, non-motorized recreational experience close to the urban fringe. When completed the 42 mile trail will circumnavigate Flagstaff, providing access from all areas of the city. The concept is that of an outer wheel surrounding Flagstaff, with the linking trails acting as spokes entering the city (the Flagstaff Urban Trail System). The wheel will then link to the communities outside the city limits and to the network of Forest Service trails. The Loop Trail will utilize a variety of Forest Service trails, abandoned roads, the Flagstaff Urban Trail System, State Land department trail easements and the Arizona Trail.

REI designates three percent of the previous year’s operating profit to its annual grants program. Because REI employees have the most direct connection to local

nonprofits, store employees nominate organizations from their local community. REI invites selected nominees to apply for grant funding. Eligible organizations must be outdoor nonprofits that promote active volunteerism

through their programs, such as hands-on trail building or restoration events.

Throughout this year, Flagstaff Biking Organization will host twelve volunteer trail construction and maintenance events with the Flagstaff District of the Coconino National Forest and the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department. Of those dozen events, five will be constructing sections of the Flagstaff Loop Trail.

Please come and help win the trophy back for the “Pedals”!!

Please click HERE to see what you’ll need to bring and other important information.

We will be meeting on Schultz Pass Road, just past the cattle guard.

From downtown Flagstaff, Take Humphreys Street to US180/Fort Valley Road. Take US-180/Fort Valley Road to Schultz Pass Road. Turn right onto Schultz Pass Rd. Veer to the left at the “Y” intersection. Proceed on the dirt road to the cattle guard. The meeting location will be marked.

Click here for a map to the meeting location.

JOIN THE CHALLENGE! Let’s see which trail user group can show up in the greatest numbers for this great trail! A lovely trophy is on the line for the winning group… they will hold that trophy until next year’s challenge. Join this fun event… we ALL WIN when we work together to build good trail and strong trail-user relationships!

Partners:

Sponsored by:

For more information on this trail day event, contact: trails@flagstaffbiking.org