2010 National Bike Summit.
(Photo © J. Maus)
If you think the federal bike funding picture looks bleak after last night’s elections, here’s some news that should lift your spirits. This morning, component maker SRAM — along with the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking & Walking — announced a three-year renewal of a campaign to double federal funding for active transportation projects by 2013.
Dubbed the “Advocacy Advance Partnership“, the initiative is backed by a commitment of $1.2 million from SRAM over the next three years to, “unite active transportation advocates across the nation and give them tools and resources to secure increased funding from existing federal transportation programs for critical bicycle and pedestrian projects.”
According to the announcement this morning, much of the money will be funneled to local bike advocacy groups. Via a statement, SRAM CEO Stan Day said,
“The biggest barrier to increased bicycle use in daily lives is the lack of appropriate infrastructure, and local bicycle advocates are working to break down those barriers across the country. The Advocacy Advance campaign will empower those advocates to dramatically improve conditions for bicyclists.”
The Advocacy Advance campaign began two years ago and SRAM, the League and the Alliance for Biking & Walking have been awarding direct grants to advocacy groups and funding research to gather data that makes the case for bicycling. Now, the partnership will begin a laser-focused strategy on federal funding. League president Andy Clarke calls the initiative’s goal of doubling federal funding for biking and walking projects by 2013 “bold and essential.”
SRAM is not new to investing in bike advocacy. Their SRAM Cycling Fund was founded in 2008 with a goal of handing out $2 million a year for five years. The fund is managed by former leader of Chicago’s Active Transportation Alliance and one of the most knowledgeable bike advocates in the country, Randy Neufeld.
More details about the Advocacy Advance Partnership will be announced in the coming months. More info here.