🚀 go-pugleaf

The Virginia Bicycle Federation met 2 weeks ago in Richmond to try to
establish themselves as an organization. The meeting turnout was
disappointing with only 9 people attending. Nobody was willing to assume
a leadership position, so I decided to take the bull by the horns and
volunteered to be the President on a temporary basis. My immediate
duties are to publicize the next meeting and to come up with a slate
of more permanent officers to nominate and vote on at the next meeting.
The next meeting will be in Staunton on October 16. I'll give you more details
as to exactly where and when, but mark this date on your calendar! The
meeting will be in conjunction with Bike Virginia's Fall Tour and there
will be a special one day rate on Bike Virginia for meeting attendees.
We'll elect officers and try to establish some priorities for our group.
I personally feel we should lobby for legislation to include bicycle
accomodations on all new highway construction. Other objectives are
to coordinate bicycle advocacy groups (like CHABA) across the state so
we can have more effective lobbying for bicycle issues. If anyone 
has other ideas about what VBF could be, please let me know.

On another topic, I heard the results of a transportation survey of residents
of Albemarle County. The survey asked where to spend "extra" transportation 
funds and gave a list of categories. Landscaping was first with 68%, bike
trails were 2nd with 67%. I think this should send a clear message to
the Board of Supervisors about how to spend their constituents' money. 
This might be a good time for us to follow up with letters to the
Board of Supervisors to support funding for bicycle accomodations.

Ruth Stornetta