The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) is a non-profit membership organization which promotes cycling for fun, fitness and transportation through advocacy and education. ^[1] A §501(c)(3) nonprofit, the League is one of the largest membership organizations of cyclists in the USA.^[2] An advocacy group, interest group or lobbying group is a group, however loosely or tightly organized, doing advocacy: those determined to encourage or prevent changes in public policy without trying to be elected. ... 501(c)(3) is a provision of the US tax code that provides exempt status, for Federal income tax purposes, for some non-profit organizations in the United States (see 26 U.S.C. Â§ 501(c)(3)). The term refers to: Section 501. ...

History

Founded in Newport, Rhode Island on May 30, 1880 as the League of American Wheelmen, it soon became the leading national membership organization for cyclists in the United States. The League was also governing body for bicycle racing in the USA during the late 1800s. Membership peaked at 103,000 in 1898.^[3] Newport, Rhode Island Newport is a city in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about 30 miles (48 km) south of Providence. ... is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The League was a prominent advocacy group for the improvement of roads and highways in the United States ^[4] long before the invention of the automobile. The Good Roads Movement in the late 19th century was founded and led by the League, which began publishing Good Roads magazine in 1892 (10 years before the founding of the American Automobile Association). Car redirects here. ... Between 1880 and 1916, advocates for improved roads led by bicyclists turned local agitation into a national political movement. ... The AAA logo The AAA (usually read triple-A, or sometimes three As), formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is an American not-for-profit automobile lobby group and service organization, with their national headquarters based in Heathrow, Florida. ...

In 1894, the League voted to prohibit membership by black people. Since the League was the governing body for bicycle racing at that time, the League's action effectively banned blacks from most races in the United States.^[5] In 1999, the League disavowed the 1894 action.^[6] Though most indigenous Africans possess relatively dark skin, they exhibit much variation in physical appearance. ...

The League continued to play a leading role in cycling issues into the 20th century. One example was the promotion and distribution of John Forester's Effective Cycling education program to clubs and educational institutions across the United States from the 1970s through the 1990s. Effective Cycling is a trademarked cycling educational program designed by John Forester, which was promoted for a number of years by the League of American Wheelmen. ...

In the late 20th century, the organization was criticized by some feminists for its name: League of American Wheelmen. Also, the term Wheelmen was becoming an increasing obscure term. In response, the League began doing business as the League of American Bicyclists in 1994.^[7] Feminism is a social theory and political movement primarily informed and motivated by the experience of women. ...

Advocacy

LAB claims to serve as a voice for cyclists at national level and organizes an annual National Bike Summit to bring professionals and advocates in Washington, D.C., together with government representatives. The major event supporter is the Bikes Belong Coalition (BBC), a §501(c)(6) trade association for the bicycle industry which lobbies Congress for funds to build bicycle usage in the U.S. A 501(c)(6) is a type of non-profit organization that is common in the United States. ... // The Bicycle Industry or Cycling Industry can broadly be defined as the industry concerned with bicycles and cycling. ...

In addition to BBC, LAB works in partnership with other organizations such as America Bikes ("leveraging federal transportation dollars for bicycling", primarily with BBC money), Thunderhead Alliance [1] (lobbies for government money to encourage bicycle usage while receiving substantial industry funding), FHWA, NHTSA, NCUTCD and NCUTLO in order to "create a more bicycle-friendly America". The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation that specializes in automobile transportation. ... The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, often pronounced nit-suh) is a U.S. Government agency, part of the Department of Transportation, responsible for setting safety standards and verifying compliance by automobile manufacturers. ... The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or NCUTCD, is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist in the development of standards, guides and warrants for traffic control devices and practices used to regulate, warn and guide traffic on streets and highways in the United States. ...

Education

The League offers cycling education for adults and children in many locations across the USA. Originally the education consisted of a single 30-hour Effective Cycling (EC) course developed by John Forester. After Forester withdrew permission for the League to use the EC name (in a dispute over curriculum changes), the name of the League's education program was changed to "Bike Ed".^[8] Effective Cycling is a trademarked cycling educational program designed by John Forester, which was promoted for a number of years by the League of American Wheelmen. ... John Forester (born 7 October 1929) is an American industrial engineer and a noted cycling activist who coined the term Effective Cycling. ...

In addition to sponsoring the biennial Bicycle Education Leaders Conference, the League is active in Safe Routes to School programs at a national level. The idea of Safe Routes to School is to encourage children to walk or cycle to school. ...

LAB Reform

Some members of League are concerned with various decisions made by the Board of Directors in recent years, and have formed a group calling for reforms. The stated goals of LAB Reform are:^[9]

1. Regain control of the League for members by allowing them to elect ALL directors
2. Restore access to the ballot and Bylaws via the petition and referendum
3. Remove the veil of secrecy over the actions of the board and staff
4. Allow members a reasonable process to remove unethical directors
5. Promote the best and safest practices of cycling
6. Protect the rights of cyclists
7. Revive member services

Bicycle-friendly communities

As of September 2007, the League has formally recognized dozens of U.S. cities as bicycle-friendly communities for "providing safe accommodation and facilities for bicyclists and encouraging residents to bike for transportation and recreation." (Ironically, most of the high-rated cities favor segregated bicycle facilities, which are the antithesis of the Effective Cycling program that the League once sponsored.) These are the cities: 2007 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bicycle-friendly is a descriptive term that describes policies, places and practices which make it easier for people to ride bicycles. ... This article or section should include material from Cycle path debate Segregated cycle facilities may consist of a separate road, track, path or lane that is designated for use by cyclists and from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. ...

Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Travis County. ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... Arlington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia (which calls itself a commonwealth), directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. By an act of Congress July 9, 1846, the area south of the Potomac was returned to Virginia effective in 1847 As of 2000... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Bellingham, Washington is the county seat of Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. ... For the capital city of the United States, see Washington, D.C.. For other uses, see Washington (disambiguation). ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (140,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Nickname: Motto: The Worlds Greatest City of the Arts & Outdoors Coordinates: , Country State County Lane Founded 1846 Incorporated 1862 Government  - Mayor Kitty Piercy Area  - City 40. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Historic Sutter Street‎ Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park along the American River. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... The City of Fort Collins, a home rule municipality situated on the Cache la Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, is the county seat and most populous city in Larimer County, Colorado. ... Official language(s) English Demonym Coloradan Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th in the US  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Location in Alachua County and the state of Florida Coordinates: , Country State County Incorporated (city) 15 April 1869 Government  - Type Council-manager  - Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan  - City Manager Russ Blackburn Area [1]  - City 49. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... Jackson is a town located in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County, Wyoming. ... Official language(s) English Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Area  Ranked 10th  - Total 97,818 sq mi (253,348 km²)  - Width 280 miles (450 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 0. ... San Luis Obispo, San Luis, or SLO (Spanish for ) is a city in California. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Nickname: Location in Santa Barbara County and the state of California Coordinates: , Country State County Santa Barbara Government  - Mayor Marty Blum Area  - Total 41. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... For other uses, see Santa Cruz. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... For other uses, see Scottsdale . ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... Steamboat Springs is a mix of older architecture and newer resort developments, especially near the ski resort on the eastern edge of town. ... Official language(s) English Demonym Coloradan Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th in the US  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated November 29, 1894 Government  - Mayor Hugh Hallman Area  - City  39. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... Ada County is a county, located in the U.S. state of Idaho. ... For other uses, see Idaho (disambiguation). ... Albuquerque redirects here. ... Official language(s) None Spoken language(s) English 68. ... Ann Arbor redirects here. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Coordinates: Country United States State Oregon County Jackson Settled 1852 Government  - Mayor John Morrison Area  - City  6. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Nickname: Location in Lee County, Alabama Coordinates: , Country State County Lee County, Alabama Government  - Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Location in Oregon Coordinates: , County Washington County Incorporated 1893 Government  - Mayor Rob Drake Area  - City 42. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Bend is a city in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Location in the state of Indiana Coordinates: County Monroe Mayor Mark Kruzan Area    - City 51. ... For other uses, see Indiana (disambiguation). ... Nickname: Coordinates: , Country State County Palm Beach Founded 1925 Government  - Type Commission-Manager  - Mayor Steven L. Abrams Area  - City  29. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... This article is about the city in Contra Costa County. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Brunswick is a town located in Cumberland County, Maine. ... Official language(s) None (English and French de facto) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 39th  - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 km²)  - Width 210 miles (338 km)  - Length 320 miles (515 km)  - % water 13. ... Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and is the shire town of Chittenden County, Vermont. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Carmel (IPA: ) is a city in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States. ... For other uses, see Indiana (disambiguation). ... City nickname: The Paris of the Piedmont Incorporated 1911 County Orange County Mayor Mark Chilton Aldermen Joal Hall Broun (mayor pro tem) Dan Coleman Jacquelyn Gist Randee Haven-ODonnell John Herrera Alex Zaffron Town Manager Steven E. Stewart Area  - Total  - Water 11. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ... Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Government  - Mayor Boyd W. Dunn (R) Area  - City  58. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... Chattanooga redirects here. ... This article is about the U.S. state of Tennessee. ... Nickname: Location of Denver in the State of Colorado Location of Colorado in the United States Coordinates: , Country United States State State of Colorado City and County Denver[1] Founded 1858-11-22, as Denver City, K.T.[2] Incorporated 1861-11-07, as Denver City, C.T.[3] Consolidated... Official language(s) English Demonym Coloradan Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th in the US  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Nickname: Location in Coconino County the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Coconino County Government  - Mayor Joseph C. Donaldson Area  - City  98. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State Counties Maricopa Government  - Mayor Steven M. Berman Area  - City  43. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... La Crosse is a city located in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Lawrence is a river city in and the seat of Douglas County, Kansas, United States, 41 miles (66 km) west of Kansas City, along the banks of both the Kansas (Kaw) and Wakarusa Rivers. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Nickname: Location in the Commonwealth of Kentucky Coordinates: , Country United States State Kentucky Counties Fayette Government  - Mayor Jim Newberry (D) Area  - City  285. ... Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... Liberty Lake is an incorporated city in Spokane County, Washington USA near the Washington state line between Spokane, Washington and Coeur dAlene, Idaho. ... For the capital city of the United States, see Washington, D.C.. For other uses, see Washington (disambiguation). ... The City of Longmont is a home rule municipality located in Boulder County and Weld County, Colorado, United States. ... Official language(s) English Demonym Coloradan Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th in the US  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Louisville redirects here. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Government  - Mayor Keno Hawker (R) Area  - City  125. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... For other places with the same name, see Milwaukee (disambiguation). ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Mountain View is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... This article is about the state. ... Orlando redirects here. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... The Silver King mine was once the worlds richest. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... The Parade Grounds at the Presidio of San Francisco. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Location of Redmond within King County, and King County within Washington. ... For the capital city of the United States, see Washington, D.C.. For other uses, see Washington (disambiguation). ... Location in Fulton County in the state of Georgia Coordinates: , Country United States State Georgia County Fulton County, Georgia Incorporated February 16, 1854 Government  - Mayor Jere Wood (R) Area  - City 38. ... Sacramento redirects here. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... For ships of the United States Navy of the same name, see USS Salt Lake City. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... For other uses, see St. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... For other uses, see San José. Nickname: Location of San Jose within Santa Clara County, California. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Location of Santa Clarita in California and Los Angeles County Coordinates: , Country United States State California County Los Angeles Incorporated December 15, 1987 Government  - Mayor Marsha McLean  - Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Kellar  - City Council Frank Ferry Laurene Weste TimBen Boydston  - City Manager Ken Pulskamp Area  - City  47. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Coordinates: , Incorporated March 7, 1956 Government  - Village President Al Larson Area  - Village 49. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (140,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Shawnee is a rapidly growing community located in northwest Johnson County, Kansas and is a western suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Mural in South Lake Tahoe, on the beach South Lake Tahoe is a city in El Dorado County, California, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... South Sioux City is a city located in Dakota County, Nebraska. ... For other uses, see Nebraska (disambiguation). ... Spartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32° 2′ N to 35° 13′ N  - Longitude 78° 32′ W to 83... Location in Santa Clara County and the state of California Coordinates: , Country State County Santa Clara Government  - Mayor Otto Lee Area  - Total 22. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... For other uses, see Vancouver (disambiguation). ... 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Contact information

• 1612 K Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20006
• 202-822-1333 (phone), 202-822-1334 (fax)

Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United...

References

1. ^ http://www.bikeleague.org/about/index.php
2. ^ http://www.bikeleague.org/members/magazine.php
3. ^ Stanford Braff, Carolyn (Nov-Dec 2007), "The Perfect Time to Ride: A History of the League of American Wheelmen", American Bicyclist Nov-Dec 2007: 18-23, ISSN 0747-0371, <http://www.bikeleague.org/members/pdfs/american_bicyclist_nov-dec_07.pdf> 
4. ^ Highway Existence:- 100 Years and Beyond - The Federal Highway Administration at 100, Autumn 1993, Public Roads
5. ^ Major Taylor - League of American Bicyclists Rights a Wrong
6. ^ Major Taylor Association - Full text of the LAB resoloution
7. ^ http://www.bikeleague.org/about/history.php
8. ^ http://www.johnforester.com/Articles/Education/ECHistory.htm
9. ^ http://www.labreform.org/
10. ^ All Bicycle Friendly Communities

ISSN, or International Standard Serial Number, is the unique eight-digit number applied to a periodical publication including electronic serials. ...

External links

• LAB website
• Bicycle Friendly Communities, another LAB website
• LAB Reform website
• Bicycle Friendly Communities, A Misdirected Program, on LAB Reform website
• wbgu.org WBGU-PBS local documentary "Bicycling Through The Past"