Advocacy & Safety - Questions about League of American Bicylists

So, Lance Armstrong sends me a letter today...

OK, so Lance sends a form letter to my house today.

It is a letter asking me to join "League of American Bicyclists", an advocacy group that supports cycling. I've never been one to join clubs, though the local club has requested my participation, and I'm considering it. Generally, when it comes to cycling, I'm a loner.

Is this a legitimate organization and is it worthy of me sending them a check? And at what level?

I'm sure Lance wouldn't steer me wrong, but you can never tell what is behind some of these groups looking for money. I checked out the online site and it looks OK, but still I'd like to know if it is really beneficial to the cycling community.

Thanks.

It is a legitimate group. Some people don't particularly like them, because they support bike lanes. Also I think there is a splinter group now, which consists of ex-members who had an issue with some of the things that were going on.

... I think there is a splinter group now ...LAB Reform (http://www.labreform.org/) is a coalition to reform LAB, principally by returning control of the League to the members.


... which consists of ex-members ...Most (maybe all) of the LAB Reform leaders (http://www.labreform.org/who.html) are also members of LAB.


... who had an issue with some of the things that were going on.LAB Reform has more than half a dozen goals for improving the League (http://www.labreform.org/).

Years ago when we were flush the wife signed me up as a Life member. Worth supporting if only because they are about the only group with influence at the National level that is known to the general cycling population. Lobbying is something I do not enjoy but I see the need for it and that is what LAB does.

Is this a legitimate organization and is it worthy of me sending them a check? And at what level?
Thanks.

If you'r as you say a loner and not much for joining things, but are looking to change that, check locally to see if there are any groups working on the front lines that could use your direct support (check-writing). I'm sure LAB needs contributions, I'm just as sure that local efforts are often woefullly broke and that collectively they do far more for your cycling community than the neccesary evils of lobbyists.

The local velo club has proved ineffective locally, despite a prominent member being killed two years ago by a pickup that crossed into the lane members were riding. Hit the girl head-on. So, far, they have had two memorial rides and complain that the driver wasn't charged.

They seemed more intent on complaining that trying to change anything. I talked to two of the members, one the president, about talking to local schools. One, to educate elementary school kids about cycling safety and road rules, two, speak to high school driver ed classes about rules of the road.

It was met with a stare of silence...then, you want to join us for a twenty-five mile ride Saturday morning?

The League of American Bicyclists is indeed a legitimate organization. I joined in 1982, and became a "lifer" in '85, give or take a little. (probably before some members here walked the earth)

It's worth considering, as they are the only national organization representing cyclists. They have had some successes lately: An apology from clear channel communications, (and a termination at the market level) when their so-called "shock jocks" targeted bicyclists, some going so far as suggest to their listeners than they run them off the road deliberately. A court victory in Kentucky, (albeit, a small one, and total victory is far from assured) and this tale (http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2006/06/post_234.php) from New Haven, Conn.

The League was formerly known as the "League of American wheelmen". They changed the name for "political correctness" reasons in '94. They also changed the logo. Can't say I care for the new logo much. The old, three wings and a bike wheel logo was just cooler. Just an opinion.

It was the League, under the direction of then president Horatio Earle, that lobbied congress for paved roads, years before the first Model-T chugged and smoked its way off the assembly floor. That's a good response for the "The roads were put here for cars, goddamyou!!" crowd.

Yes, some people don't care for the league, and it's true that they've had their ups and downs. I don't agree with all their decisions, but I like the idea of having a national organization that represents cyclists.

-i'm a lifetime member of LAB myself (1998).
- i also am a member of local bicycle club (been since 1980). as bike advocate for the club, i attend south-jersey-bicycle-coalition meetings (front line local issues and concerns)
-i hope to attend county roadway planning meetings, but work schedule has kept me away.

i encourage your participation at any level about our legal use of roadways and to voice concerns (and praises where appropriate) for the planners.

Thanks for the information. I'm going to take the plunge and join...I just have to decide at what level.

Disagreements among members is to be expected for an old and large organization. The Sierra Club has gone through similar times itself.

Thanks again.

The LAB is undergoing a rebirth. It was funny how a group that rolled out & supported the Bike Ed program, which is all about Vehicular Cycling, came to be run by a bunch who were all about bike lanes.
Shows what can happen to any group when the ran & file become complacent and uninvolved.

I'm a member & a LCI.

Velotransit networks integrated into metropolitian street grids, and pushing for urban planning to include velotransit in America IS worth major advocacy efforts.

I learned this on another thread in BF: LAB membership included in Better World Club Bicycle Assistance membership (http://www.betterworldclub.com/roadside_assistance/bike.htm) (that's the auto club that has a $40/yr bike membership that includes two free rescues per year). If it's just about who to give money to, I'm sure the LAB would appreciate a direct membership contribution, but if it's about value, the Better World Club sounds like a good combo.

I'm a member of the local bicycle coalition, but I don't go to meetings yet. I should. It's very, very bike-friendly around here, and they lobby the local city governments pretty hard to get stuff done. My master plan is to learn what can be done when bicycle coalitions hold a lot of sway, and eventually, when the time comes to move somewhere else, bring that knowledge to an area that will probably be less bike-friendly, and raise some hell.



P.S. I'm not a schill for the Better World Club; I'm not even a member. My boyfriend is my "auto club." :) But I do like that such an organization exists in the world.

I have been a LAB member since 1982. definately a worthwhile organization. It has gone from primarily a member service organization to primarily a lobbying group. it would be nice to see some middle ground since both are important. However the present board has done a good job of getting our interests heard and have built better governmental relations than we have had in the past.
I haven't heard the board election results yet. Hopefully Amanda Eichstaedt kept her seat on the board.

I just joined the League and became an LCI. I think that their efforts are worthwhile and I will continue to support them. I am also a member of the local advocacy groups, but time constraints keep me from attending many meetings.

The disagreements between the leaders of LAB should not preclude them from trying to increase cycling awareness around the country.