Blumenauer at the National
Bike Summit, 3/15/07.

One of the highlights of the Summit for me was the press conference where Congressman Earl Blumenauer announced the Bicycle Commuter Act (H.R. 807).

In this audio clip (below), you'll get a great sense of Blumenauer's personality. I think you'll enjoy hearing him tell about his run-in with Newt Gingrich on a treadmill and the historical perspective of his ongoing struggle to bring transportation equity to Capitol Hill.

Here's the clip* (length 4:30):
Download audio file (blumenauerCommuterAct.mp3)

(*When he mentions "John" he is referring to Trek President John Burke.)

The National Bike Summit may be over, but the work has just begun.

Hundreds of advocates from around the country (430 to be exact) are now more energized, educated, and empowered than ever before to bring bikes into the mainstream consciousness of America.

For too long, the bicycling movement has assumed the role of special, minority interest group. But this year we learned that real opportunity exists in broadening our reach and our coalition to become a higher priority to the American people and to our elected officials.

To complete my special coverage of the 2007 National Bike Summit, below is a recap what I feel were this year's main themes.

Take bikes mainstream

Bikes Belong director
Tim Blumenthal on Capitol Hill.

We heard this refrain from several sources. Bikes Belong Director Tim Blumenthal kicked it off in the opening plenary with,

"A lot of things are on track for us...but we need to take bicycling mainstream. What does mainstream mean? It means being part of the fabric of our communities...so when people see cyclists, they see themselves."

Tyler Duvall, Assistant Secretary of Transportation Policy for the U.S. Department of Transportation said the way to take bikes mainstream is to focus on solutions to congestion. In his speech he said we should,

"Integrate cycling as a solution to congestion. What the public wants is performance out of the system, they don't care how it happens."

Capitalize on the "political climate change"
With bike-friendly power brokers at the helm or in high positions in several important, transportation-related committees, the political climate for bicycles has never been better. In his opening speech, referring to the Bike Commuter Act, Rep. Blumenauer said,

"It's nice to be in a position where I can introduce legislation and be able to help push it through. Gas prices are up, highway spending is going bankrupt, obesity is out of control...and with Oberstar setting the agenda, I hope you'll work with us to take advantage of this confluence of events"

Blumenauer Chief of Staff James Koski (L)
and Sen. Wyden legislative asst. David Berick (R).

David Berick from Senator Wyden's office spoke at a panel on energy policy and said,

"For too long in this country we have focused on finding alternative sources for energy, instead of how to save it in the first place. Now, thanks to the political climate change in November, that is shifting."

It's up to us to find solutions
I heard from several speakers that the federal government needs creative solutions from bike advocates on how to deal with our nation's problems. They need us to help them solve failed congestion, traffic safety, and energy policies.

Tourism will take us to a new level

Tourism reps make their case to
Congressman DeFazio (D-OR)
and Senator Duncan (R-TN).

Attaching bicycle facilities to the economic engine of tourism will be a major way to move forward. Oregon led the way at this year's Summit, but the idea is also on the mind of Congressman Peter DeFazio (who will be a key architect of the upcoming transportation bill). He called a special roundtable meeting to hear about mountain bike trails tourism, a bicycle recreation economic impact study, and plans for a new national bike route network.

Mountain biking agenda gets serious

Jenn Dice, Government Affairs
Director for IMBA

For the first time at the Summit the International Mountain Bicycle Association had an official place in the League's national agenda. Jenn Dice, head of governmental affairs for IMBA spoke at the DeFazio roundtable and all the attendees were asked to present mountain bike issues during our meetings on Capitol Hill.

This development also underscores the importance of mountain biking to the League, reflected in the inclusion of singletrack access as a criteria for Platinum status (Portland has a long way to go on this issue).

Transportation and recreation come together

Frank Hugelmeyer of the
Outdoor Industry Association chats
with Scott Bricker of the BTA.

The injection of the mountain bicycling agenda probably ruffled some feathers of dyed-in-the-wool transportation cycling advocates. The Summit, and bike advocacy efforts in general, have historically focused on transportation infrastructure more than recreational opportunities. I think this new dialogue is healthy and imperative. We are all on two wheels and we should keep our eyes on the prize.

Take bikes beyond transportation
For years, bicycles have advocated from a transportation infrastructure perspective. Now, given what Earl Blumenauer referred to as "a confluence of issues" facing our nation, we must attach bicycling to a broader range of policies and issues. During his announcement of the Bike Commuter Act, Blumenauer said,

"It's time to integrate bicycling into the broader conversations on climate change, energy policy, etc..."

The bike industry's role

Kozo Shimano and Rep. Blumenauer.

A presentation on challenges facing the bicycle industry by Trek Bicycle President John Burke and a discussion about Shimano's Coasting initiative exemplify the increasingly important role the bike industry can (and should) play in getting more Americans on bikes.

I ran into many members of the bike industry including Kozo Shimano, Tim Jackson (Masi Bicycles), Reed Pike (Raleigh Bicycles), John Burke (Trek), Chris Kegel (former League Pres and owner of Wheel n Sprocket bike shop), and Shannon Bryant (Shimano Coasting).

I look forward to keeping tabs on how these themes develop in the coming year.

Thanks again to everyone who donated to my trip expenses. I hope you enjoyed all my coverage.

Saturday was my last day in Washington D.C. and I spent it on a bike.

When I arrived, it was 70 degrees, nearly perfect riding weather. Unfortunately things got worse as the week wore on. By the time Saturday rolled around, we'd seen rain, sleet, and snow.

Saturday morning I set out to see the monuments around the National Mall. I was (thankfully) greeted to dry skies but the wind was bitter cold. To combat the chill, I wore my new Planet Bike beanie (thanks Jay!), two pairs of pants, and pedaled a high gear to keep my body moving.

After a stop at the Washington Monument, I was attracted to the noise and crowds that had assembled near the Vietnam War Memorial. An Iraq War protest was in full swing.

To boldly go where other
bikes can't.

Before taking a closer look I paid a visit to Mr. Abraham Lincoln. Near the top of the stairs I noticed a "No Bikes" sign. Undeterred, I simply folded up the tikit and carried it with me the rest of the way.

Back down near the war protest, I noticed a human wall of war veterans. Trying to be inconspicuous, I just stood around and watched the ebb and flow of human energy. Opinions clashed in both verbal and physical form and there were some minor altercations between the vets and the protesters.

As the cold crept in, I mounted the bike and headed out for a loop around the Jefferson Memorial. On the way back, I stopped to gaze at the White House and then I was drawn back to the protest.

At this point, the rally was over, but there were still thousands of veterans milling about.

As I wheeled my folded tikit through thick crowds, many vets stopped and asked questions about it. They all thought it was really cool.

I love bikes that start conversations, and the tikit is definitely one such bike. Here's a shot I snapped of vets I met posing with it:

Bob, Herb, and friends from a veterans support group in Virginia.

I spent a long time watching the veterans: their badge-filled leather jackets and worn faces told many stories.

USAF Ret. Michael L. Syder

Not all of them were there to support the current war. There was apparently a rumor that the protesters were going to damage the war memorials, so vets showed up by the bus load to make sure that didn't happen.

USAF Retiree Michael Snyder was one of them.

Mr. Snyder served in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, but on Saturday he only wanted to talk about my bike.

After another gentleman inquired about the bike, I asked if I he'd mind posing next to it. He didn't mind, but I'm sure he thought I was crazy.

On the way back to my hotel, I gladly battled traffic one last time (it's actually pretty fun) and did a photo shoot and more field testing with the tikit.

All the interest in this bike, and the presentation about Shimano Coasting the day before, has got me thinking more about the role new products can play in our efforts to get more people on bikes.

Stay tuned for my final wrap-up article on the Summit and more photos and thoughts on my experiences with the tikit.

Below is a group portrait, followed by the names and affiliations of each person:

Click photo for larger view

First row (L to R):

• Jerry Norquist - Cycle Oregon
• Robert Ping - Safe Routes to School Nat'l Partnership
• Dennis Oliphant - Central Oregon Visitors Association
• Suzann Gorham - Lane County Visitors Association
• Emily Gardner - Bicycle Transportation Alliance
• Veronica Rinard - Portland Oregon Visitors Association
• Alison Hill - Community Cycling Center
• Brad Upton - Corvallis bike advocate

Middle row (L ro R):

• Roger Geller - Portland Office of Transportation
• Jill Van Winkle - International Mountain Bicycling Association
• Carole Astley - Travel Oregon
• Charlotte Lehan - Mayor of Wilsonville
• Scott Bricker - Bicycle Transportation Alliance
• John Bloss - Bicycle Transportation Alliance (Board member)
• Jay Graves - Bike Gallery

Back row (L to R):

• Mark De John - International Mountain Bicycling Association
• Evan Manvel - Bicycle Transportation Alliance
• Scott West - Travel Oregon

[Not pictured: Me, Jeff Mapes - Oregonian reporter on book leave.]

At the closing ceremony of the National Bike Summit, the Shimano marketing duo of Shannon Bryant and David Lawrence hit the stage to tell the story of Coasting.

Shimano embarked on this initiative five years ago when they teamed up with premier product design group IDEO. That was the start of on an unprecedented journey to research and then design a product -- and marketing campaign -- aimed to get America's 161 million non-cyclists riding again.

[I've covered this effort since last May. Browse archived reports and photos.]

Their presentations sparked a flood of questions and led to a vibrant discussion of the role of products, industry, and advocacy in turning more Americans on to cycling.

Lawrence was "embedded" with IDEO for six months to find out how their heralded "human-centered design" philosophy could help Shimano figure out why more Americans aren't riding. He said,

"We tried to put ourselves in the shoes of non-enthusiasts... to understand their lives and experiences"

More photos here

He traveled to Phoenix, Palo Alto, Chicago, and Atlanta to do conducts interviews with non-cyclists. In the process, he learned several key lessons about them,

• They share many of the same feelings, and most of them remember the fun they had riding as kids.
• They see cycling only as a sport and competitive activity and have no desire for that sort of experience. They just want to ride.
• They want to escape from their hectic lives and enjoy time with friends.
• They don't want to learn new technology.
• Bicycling would be just one of many activities they would do with their free time, so they are price sensitive.
• They want to feel safe.

Lawrence and his team took all this information and tried to describe an "ideal experience". Conclusions reached from these lessons led them to "The Coasting Experience".

Here is a slide from the presentation that explains more:

A slide from Lawrence's presentation this morning.

After Lawrence's presentation, Shannon Bryant described her research into the bike buying experience of cycling novices.

She explained that Coasting's target market not only feel intimidated by bike shops, but that the thought of going to one to buy a bike, "wouldn't even cross their minds."

Giant's Sedona DX Coasting

To illustrate this point she asked the crowd if anyone wore sunscreen. Nearly everyone raised their hand. Then she asked how many people bought it from the office of a licensed dermatologist. All the hands went down. How about Walgreens? The hands went back up.

Bryant wanted to compare a dermatologist's office with a bike shop. You get the point.

Shimano is trying to break down the walls between new (and potential) cyclists and the fun of riding.

To that end, Lawrence says they're using their website to, "build a community of people who are new to cycling."

Raleigh's Coasting bike

A Q & A session followed the presentation.

I stood up and asked them to explain their views and research on self-sufficiency and maintenance of the bikes by the owner (I know from previous conversations with Bryant that they do not envision Coasting bike riders to do any of their own repairs).

Lawrence said this did come up in their research,

"When we asked people about changing flats and doing repairs they said things like 'my tool kit will be my cell phone.' Again, the bike is not the core focus, it's the experience...and the bike just enhances it."

We can debate the technical aspects of the Coasting component group (one person I talked to has concerns about the safety of coaster brakes), or the importance of self-reliance (I know some of you feel repairing flats is a rite of passage), but after hearing the presentation today, and seeing the discussion it sparked, I'm supportive of (and excited by) Shimano's efforts.

They're approaching the problem (161 million Americans who think bikes aren't for them) in a new way and their marketing towards newbie and non-cyclists is way ahead of anyone else in the industry.

I also appreciate how Shimano has started a conversation that challenges advocates to go further and reach beyond their base to convince those 161 million non-cycling Americans to get back in the saddle...and that it will take more than just bike lanes to do it.

[Portland's Bike Gallery just got Trek's "Lime" Coasting bike in stock last week. I hope to check one out when I get home.]
=====

UPDATE: I took a closer look and did a short test ride of Trek's Coasting bike. Read the review here.

Here at the Summit we do a fair amount of introductions. Every meeting, every new person we meet.

Usually we say our names and what organizations we represent. It all quickly becomes a blur, until the refreshing introduction of first-time attendee Brad Upton,
"Hi, I'm Brad from Corvallis Oregon. I'm just a cyclist who cares about these issues and wanted to get involved."
A member of both his county and city bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, Brad is life-long cyclist and has been a daily bike commuter for ten years.

Besides meeting BTA Director Evan Manvel in Corvallis years ago, Brad came on this trip without knowing anyone in the Oregon contingent. He was a bit worried about that but he has become fast friends with all of us.

Brad, in center, with smile.

Meeting with his representatives in Congress was the highlight of the trip for Brad,

Brad holds the Oregon sign
at the state delegation rally.

"During the breakfast rally on Capitol Hill, somehow I ended up right at front. There was Jim Oberstar...and Blumenauer. It was amazing, and I'm totally energized by what happened in our meetings yesterday. Next year I plan on doing more preparation and speaking up even more."

Brad is too humble, I saw him in action on Capitol Hill yesterday, speaking his mind to Congressional staffers.

In our meeting with Representative Darlene Hooley's staff he was able to talk with them about specific trails and programs in her district.

Nice to meet you Congressman
De Fazio.

Brad's energy and smarts has been an invaluable part of our efforts here in DC. Members of Congress and their staff have a special appreciation for citizen advocates that are passionate enough about their issue to make the trip to Capitol Hill (especially from the other side of the country).

Will he be back next year?

"For sure, I'll definitely be back..and I plan on getting even more involved with the BTA and my local groups in the meantime."

Thanks for joining us Brad, It's been great having you on the team.

I'm sitting in a Barnes & Noble in downtown DC (just off Pennsylvania Ave.). It's 10:30pm.

My day started 17 hours ago. I got up at sunrise to finish some stories and be early to our rally that began at 8:00am up on Capitol Hill.

Now my shoes and socks are damp and my legs are heavy from pedaling a three-mile loop between the site of my wi-fi connection and Capitol Hill (three times, about 13 miles total riding, some of it in the rain).

It was a very memorable day.

I made the map below to give you some context for the rest of the story.

The loop I won't soon forget. Check it out on g-map pedometer.

I got an early start because I was excited to see Congressman Jim Oberstar at this morning's rally.

Here are a few shots from the event.

A pensive Earl Blumenauer.

Mr. Oberstar at the podium.

After Oberstar's rousing speech, I stuck around for Blumenauer and his Bike Commuter Act press conference.

Once that wrapped up I chatted a bit, snapped a few photos, and introduced myself to Trek Bicycles President John Burke.

At his presentation last night, I noticed he used a few of my photos without my permission or knowledge, so I thought that'd be a good conversation starter. He said someone from the marketing department must have found them. No big deal really, I was just surprised to see them.

We talked a little about the bike industry, he gave me his card, we shook hands, and that was that.

A few minutes later I was back on the tikit. I needed wi-fi so I made my way for my first of three rides from Capitol Hill back to the Reagan Trade Building (marked "Wi-Fi" on the map).

I ran into a few familiar faces along the way.

Dirt Rag Magazine founder Maurice Tierney

Veronica Rinard (POVA) and Todd West (Travel Oregon) cross Constitution Avenue.

The Reagan Trade Building is where the Summit has been taking place...but more importantly it's the site of my reliable and fast wi-fi connection (that I'm paying $16 a day for!).

The ride was a blast. The tikit may not look like an urban assault vehicle, but it is. I weave in and out of traffic, ride up curbs and on sidewalks through mazes of tourists, all while smiling, ringing my bell, and taking in the sights and sounds of DC.

Racks were full at the House office building.

A group of tourists on rental bikes.

Once I arrived I wrote a few stories, uploaded photos and then hopped on the bike for a 1:00 meeting back on Capitol Hill.

After that, we had another meeting at 2:00 and after sitting in and snapping photos, I boarded the trusty tikit and jetted back to the Reagan Trade Building once again to write more stories, and upload more photos.

Our next meeting was with Senator Ron Wyden at 4:30 in the Senate office building. So back on the bike I went (notice a trend forming here?), I roared down Pennsylvania Ave. in my lowest gear, bell blazing the whole way.

I got there in no time flat and then got some bad news. It was my first attempt on the x-ray machines on the Senate side, and they weren't as nice as the security guys on the House side. They denied me and my tikit entry!

They said flat-out, "no bikes in this building." I pleaded with them and said everyone else was cool with it, but they said, "we don't care what they do on the House side, we have different rules over here."

So I tried a different entrance and I was denied again.

I had just sprinted uphill to get there and now I couldn't get in. I still had some stories and photos to work on, so I decided to hop back on board the tikit and make the 1.5 mile sprint to my wi-fi connection for the third (and final) time of the day.

I got a bit of work done, and then (yes, again) pedaled my way back (in the rain!) up to the Senate offices for the big party and reception.

The party was great. Held in a regal room, with glittering chandeliers, some nice finger foods, and free beer. Here's how it looked:

Love those immense marble columns.

Tim Blumenthal at the podium.

Safe Routes superstars Robert Ping and Deb Hubsmith.

Jerry Norquist with League staff Marthea Wilson and Elizabeth Preston.

After the party I rode here (Barnes & Noble).

So that was my day. Crazy huh?

Tomorrow is the final day, and I have much more to share. But now I must sleep (and change my socks). Stay tuned.

And don't forget to check all my other stories and photos.

On Capitol Hill, the House offices and the Senate offices are on separate sides of the Capitol building. The distance between the two is about 1/2 a mile.

That's not much, but when you've got a full day of meetings, tired feet, and not much time to spare, it's nice to get a lift.

Taxis are out of the question, and most people don't have bikes.

Enter free pedicab service, made possible by the League and Planet Bike.

Today the pedicabs were out in force, whisking advocates between the two buildings with style, energy and smiles.

Sam Gibson,
pedicab operator.

I grabbed a lift with 25 year-old Sam Gibson (check out this on-board view). He answered a job listing on Craigslist and is having fun with the assignment.

I would have learned more about him, but I was late for a meeting and taxis were blaring horns at us. Thanks for the lift Sam!

Check out a few more photos of Sam and pedicabs on Capitol Hill.

House Congressional Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and John Duncan (R-TN) held a special roundtable hearing on Capitol Hill today. The topic was bicycle tourism.

DeFazio is the Chair and Duncan is the Ranking Member of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Asked to present various perspectives on the topic were:

• Jenn Dice - Government Affairs Director, IMBA
• Jerry Norquist - President, Cycle Oregon
• Frank Hugelmeyer - President, Outdoor Industry Association
• Jim Sayer - Executive Director, Adventure Cycling Association

Frank Hugelmeyer's presentation was the most noteworthy because he gave a preview of a major study just completed by the OIA on the economic impact of outdoor activities in the U.S.

Frank Hugelmeyer speaks
for the outdoor industry.

Particularly exciting about this study is that they have broken down the results by region, by state, and by activity. We don't know the Oregon-specific numbers yet, but the initial numbers Hugelmeyer revealed look very very good. If they survive some scrutiny by some other groups, this could be a major milestone study that would be very powerful for the bike lobby. Or, as Hugelmeyer put it,

"Hopefully these numbers give you the ammunition to support bicycling infrastructure."

Next up with Jim Sayer. Sayer has been working hard on a National Bike Route Network project for the last five years. Amazingly enough, the Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) asked for something like this 30 years ago but according to Sayer it got "mothballed for 25 years," before he picked up the ball again.

Jim Sayer of
Adventure Cycling

Now Sayer, with backing of the 42,000 member strong Adventure Cycling Association is collaborating with AASHTO and has formed a task force to work on it.

The network will be signed and numbered and will model other efforts currently in place around the world. Sayer says they've already made an inventory of all the bike trails in the country and they're now in their fourth draft of the plan. There was a strategy session for this project at the Summit today.

DeFazio at the roundtable.

DeFazio and Duncan listen to the presentations.

Jenn Dice from the International Mountain Bicycling Association was up next. She told members DeFazio and Duncan that "trails tourism" is a quickly growing part of mountain biking. She used Mountain Bike Oregon, an event that takes place in Oak Ridge, as an example. Its first year they had 50 people, and just three years later the event was bursting at the seems with 350 participants.

The four panelists.

Last to present was Jerry Norquist of Cycle Oregon. He emphasized the importance of Frank Hugelmeyer's study and said the bike industry has long known its "hard numbers" of products sold, but has never known the tourism numbers. Speaking for the bike industry (he worked for both Trek and Specialized) he said, "we don't sell a product, we sell an experience."

The view from the hot seat. Jenn Dice (IMBA)
on the left and Jim Sayer (Adventure Cycling) on the right.

After the four presentations, DeFazio had to leave for a vote. He had some follow-up questions and said he'd return in a few minutes. Unfortunately he wasn't able to make it back.

Tourism is one of the big themes of this Summit and these presenters did an amazing job making their voices heard.

Congressman Jim Oberstar, the Grand Man of bicycles in Washington, made his annual speech to a packed room of Bike Summit attendees at an early morning rally today.

Oberstar shared his perspective on the bicycle movement in America by saying,

"When we first got here, we could have met in a phone booth."

Oberstar has fought bike battles in DC for over a decade and it's hard to relate what his impassioned support has meant to the bicycle movement in this country.

During his speech this morning he pointed out several key people in the audience that have helped him with those battles.

He pointed out Safe Routes to School lightning rod Deb Hubsmith (in photo below), who he credits with bringing that program to life in America. Hubsmith started the first of two Safe Routes pilot projects in Marin County and is now head of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

Oberstar and Deb Hubsmith

Oberstar addresses the crowd.

Oberstar then told the story of how he pushed Safe Routes through the system, and once it passed, his trepidation that the administration would appoint, "some troglodyte" to run it.

He was relieved when they picked Tim Arnade. Oberstar knew he was right for the job because, "he had cycling legs".

He also credited Trek Bicycles President John Burke for stepping up to the plate, "when we were flat on our back in '97." Oberstar relayed a story of a meeting with Bikes Belong to discuss how to get $2 billion for bicycling in the transportation bill*:

"I wanted to expand the reach of bicycling and I needed bike advocates to pound the pavement. I asked what they were going to do...and there was silence. It was Burke who stepped up and said, 'Can you imagine what the golf industry would do if they were in our position?!'...and then he pledged $100,000 to the effort right then and there."

Oberstar said that was the day the bike community came of age in Washington DC.

Full of quips and candor, Oberstar continued with,

"What we're trying to do is make bicycles a true mode of transportation...we're going to convert America from the hydrocarbon economy to the carbohydrate economy."

He also offered some perspective on how far bicycles have come in Washington,

"Back in '91, and even in '95, there were no federal guidelines on how to construct bike lanes."

But even though we've come a long way, and even with Oberstar in our corner ("Bikes are not going away, not as long as I'm here!"), he implored us to "do our jobs, and remain vigilant."

Inspiring words from a man who has laid the path we all ride on.

*UPDATE: I spoke about the origins of that story with League Director Andy Clarke. He thinks the meeting was at the 1997 Interbike Trade Show in Anaheim, California. At that time, the League was concerned about keeping some key bike programs in the transportation bill, so they came to the bike industry to ask for help. $385,000 was the exact amount Andy said they asked for. Burke pledged $100,00 only if the League could raise matching funds. They did...and they used the money to rally their members to help save those bike programs and Bikes Belong, industry advocacy, and eventually the National Bike Summit was born.