WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)—In line with a goal to double federal funding for biking and walking, Advocacy Advance is awarding $100,000 in direct grants to four advocacy organizations.
Using the grants to tap into federal funding streams and build their political influence, recipients will work to triple bicycle mode share in Atlanta, dramatically improve infrastructure in Pittsburgh, empower Latino cyclists in Los Angeles, and create a new model to win state dollars in Delaware.
Since 2009, Advocacy Advance—a partnership of the Alliance for Biking & Walking and the League of American Bicyclists—has awarded more than $500,000 in direct grants to 25 state and local advocacy organizations. This year, more than 60 applications with proposals totaling more than $1.3 million were received in the two grant categories: Model Grants and Capacity Building Grants.
Model Grants provide multi-year support for efforts that significantly increase federal investment for biking and walking. Capacity Building Grants catalyze the growth of advocacy organizations that are poised to dramatically increase biking and walking in their communities. Based on the organizations' successful track records and innovative strategies, 2011 grants will be awarded to Bike Delaware, Bike Pittsburgh, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.
"We are excited to support these grantees, as they help lead the way toward a more equitable and rational use of limited federal transportation funds, especially as the lessons we learn will be applicable to accessing state and local funds," said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists.
"Receiving this Model Grant is a testament to the decade of work we've poured into building strong relationships with key city, county, regional and state transportation officials—and winning the cultural battle that bikes belong in the transportation mix," said Scott Bricker, executive director of Bike Pittsburgh. "Now it's time to identify and fund specific projects that will keep bike riders safer and result in more people bicycling."
Advocacy Advance Grants are made possible thanks to generous support from SRAM and Planet Bike.
