The following lists include significant activities from the staff and leadership volunteers of Consider Biking in 2009. As we look back, we’re confident that our actions, appearances, and public feedback, have promoted bicycling in Central Ohio.

We’re grateful for your support; it allows us to work with full-time, professional capacity, to build a better environment for bicycling in Central Ohio. Communities across the country have proven that a vibrant bike advocacy organization is a vital determinant to building a bike-friendly community.

The first two pages below represent our most significant projects. The following pages are a listing of the enormous amount of activities we engaged in. As you’ll see….we’ve been busy working on your behalf. A pdf version of this list is available to download here.

Significant Mission Critical Activities
Larger projects, events and campaigns which provided significant impact toward our mission

Bike Usability Map – We provided leadership to the group of partners that developed this map and provided grassroots expertise & safety content. We also provided distribution to bike shops.

Strategic Planning Retreat – We convened 35 area bicycle stakeholder leaders for a weekend retreat that defined our organizational goals for the coming years.

Corporate Caucus – We developed a Caucus that represents 20+ of Columbus’ largest employers, held 4 meetings, and with Leadership Columbus, developed our “Two-Wheel Toolkit.” We met with over 15 of these organizations’ CEOs to introduce the Toolkit and present the business case for enabling their employees to bicycle more. We also activated the Caucus to unify support of funding request to implement the Columbus Bike Plan.

Input to Alliance Benchmarking Study – We gathered and submitted data metrics on behalf of Columbus for inclusion in the bi-annual national benchmarking report.

High St. Share the Road Campaign – We provided consultative support to the City of Columbus for its first “Share the Road” campaign through Engineer’s rides, stakeholder meetings, the kick-off event, and ongoing public relations support.

Bike Columbus – We partnered with the Institute for Active Living to implement a bike tour in support of the Columbus Health Department.

LAB Bike Friendly Community Award – We compiled and submitted, on behalf of the City of Columbus, the application to the League of American Bicyclists, for designation as a Bike Friendly Community. We presented Mayor Coleman with the Bronze Level Award at our Bike to Work Week Launch event in May.

Statehouse Bike to Work Week Event – We hosted an event to present Columbus with the LAB award (above), unveil the Bike Usability Map, and designate 12 downtown properties as “Bike Friendly Buildings.”

Ride of Silence – We hosted the 6th annual Ride of Silence which brings great attention to the vulnerability of bicyclists on our roadways. The Columbus Ride of Silence is the 2nd largest RoS event in the country.

League of American Bicyclists’ Summit in D.C. – We again participated in the largest voice for bicyclists to our Federal legislators. We met with the majority of Ohio’s Congressional legislation and advocated for more equitable allocation of transportation funding for bicyclists, more complete streets, and increased encouragement for the Safe Routes to School program.

Web Site – We launched a new web site which will serve as a platform to be the primary information resource for bicyclists in Central Ohio.

Advisory Committees and Bike Friendly Community support – We continue to increase our reach to Columbus and surrounding municipalities to provide consultative support for developing Bike Advisory Committees, Bike Plans, spot improvements, policy enhancements, and education & encouragement activities. We have worked with Hilliard, Dublin, Westerville, Worthington, Upper Arlington, Gahanna, Lancaster, Pickerington, and Columbus.

Pelotonia Education Classes – The launch of Pelotonia, a significant fundraising ride that attracted 2,250 riders, presented an opportunity to provide four specially developed educational classes that enhanced the cycling safety and experience for their participants. 
 

League of American Bicyclists’ “League Certified Instructor” – Our staff received this designation which provides us with the access and credibility of the industry’s most comprehensive and respected bicycle education programs.

Socials and General membership meetings – We hosted four open meetings (disguised as “socials/parties”) where we shared our work, and welcomed input and feedback with our constituents.

Alliance Winning Campaigns Training – We attended a 3-day training in Indianapolis to learn the specifics of developing bicycle advocacy campaigns, and also networked with our peers from the surrounding states.

Extensive Communications Outreach and Media Exposure – We provided ongoing communications with our constituents via our e-marketing and digital social networking platforms. Additionally, we were the primary resource for local media regarding cycling issues, and were featured, referenced or cited in over two hundred+ media stories in 2009.

Fatalities – Dave Hines, Tracy Corbin, Steve Barbour – we provided calm and reasoned testimony to the media and our constituency in response to these tragic auto/bike crashes.

Ongoing Appointments, Committees & Advisory Roles
Consider Biking, or a Member(s) representing our organization sits on the following bodies:

• Columbus Transportation & Pedestrian Commission (chair)
• Franklin County Physical Activity Plan (co-chair Transportation Subcommittee)
• Dublin Bicycle Task Force
• MORPC Regional Policy Roundtable
• MORPC Citizen Advisory Committee (chair)
• MORPC Air Quality and Energy Working Group
• MORPC Complete Streets Task Force
• ODOT GO-OHIO Futures Steering Comm.
• Fairfield Active Transportation Plan
• MORPC TDM Assessment
• Columbus Area Pedestrian Safety
• Central Ohio Greenways Group (chair)

Public Input, Advisory, & Advocacy Campaigns
We attended many public meetings, provided written testimony, and engaged in activities supporting the following campaigns:

• Transportation Matters Coalition
• Hilliard Bike Friendly Community Plan
• Transportation Free Day
• Weiland Park Mobility Study
• Camp Chase Bikeway Project
• Goodale Bridge Connector
• Williams Rd. non-compliance
• Westerville Rd plan
• Blendon Township plan
• Hilltop Mobility Plan
• Dublin Community Plan
• United Way Bold Goals
• Livingston & Parsons
• Lazelle Rd project
• Cleveland Ave
• CCSID Downtown Bike Parking
• Bike to Work Week
• Metro Park Levy
• Columbus Issue 1
• Columbus Parking Code Update
• Ohio 3-ft. passing bill – SB174
• Ohio Vulnerable Roadway Users bills – SB65 & HB128
• Ohio “No Texting while driving” bills – SB164 & HB270

Memberships
Consider Biking is a member of the following organizations:

• League of American Bicyclists
• Alliance for Biking & Walking
• Columbus Outdoor Pursuits
• Westerville Bicycle Club
• Community Shares of Mid-Ohio

Speaking Engagements & Recognition
Consider Biking provided speaking engagement or received award/recognition at the following:

• Westerville Bike Club Annual Meeting
• Columbus Outdoor Pursuits Meetings
• Think Green Dublin Entrepreneur Center
• Pickerington Chamber of Commerce
• Columbus City Council – three occasions
• Downtown Rotary Club
• MORPC Clean Air Fair – “Clean Air Award”
• Northwest Civic Assn.
• WEBOR & Assc.
• Trek Advocacy Presentation
• WOSU – All Sides with Anne Fisher
• St. Stephens Bike Giveaway in conjunction with Bike Columbus
• Columbus Public Health Board
• Alliance Mutual Aid Call
• Barbour Ghost Bike Ceremony
• Ohio Worksite Wellness Conference
• Columbus Underground – podcast
• Dutch Kitchen Annual Event
• Dayton Regional Bike Summit

Displays and Appearances
Consider Biking had a display table, or presence at the following events:

• TOSRV
• Earth Day
• MORPC Transportation Leaders Series
• MORPC Annual Meeting
• OSU Health Fair
• B2WW Corporate Challenge Luncheon
• Neighborhood Pride Safety Festival
• Tech Columbus Green Breakfast
• Huntington Health Fair (x3)
• Press Conferences w/ Mayor Coleman (x4)
• APBP Webinars
• Pelotonia
• HiLo Ride
• Indy NITE Ride
• Genoa Trail Fair
• Three Creeks Festival
• Westerville Family Fun Ride & Rodeo
• Westerville Bike Club Dry Run
• Parking Day
• Trek Breast Cancer Awareness Ride
• Trek Store Tour de France Stage 16 Viewing Party
• Sen. Fedor ride & press conferences
• Columbus Foundation Social Media Seminar