The League of American Cyclists

The League of American Bicyclists is a nationwide organization dedicated to promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and transportation. The group works through advocacy and education and works for a bicycle-friendly America.

The League of American Bicyclists works to further cycling in the United States by representing the interests of the nation's 57 million cyclists. The League has a current membership of 300,000 cyclists. This includes 40,000 individual members and 600 affiliated organizations. The league works to bring better cycling to communities across the country and has been doing so since 1880.

The League started as the League of American Wheelmen (LAW) in 1880. The organization started to work on the rutted roads destroyed by horsemen, wagon drivers, and pedestrians. The first push was for paved roads. This was seen as the best way to expand the popularity of the newly discovered sport. Even in 1880, there were more than 100,000 cyclists in the United States. As a result of the League of American Bicyclists, the United States had paved roads in many areas before the car or automobile became popular.

Current advocacy actions include changing the look of America. This is being done town by town on a city by city basis. The League is working to change cities and towns into bicycle friendly places. In addition, they work to provide materials and training courses to help people feel much more secure about getting on their bikes.

These education projects are given to people free of charge. The theory being that the more people that feel safe on their bikes, the more people that will use them for transportation.

The education and community programs both utilize the five Es. These are Education, Enforcement, Engineering, Evaluation, and Encouragement. This is part of the League's Bicycle Friendly Community program. In order to be part of this, a community must implement the 5 Es.

One of the League's main activities is orchestrating and coordinating National Bike Month. National Bike Month occurs every May and is designed to increase the knowledge of bicycle safety and the risks faced by bicyclists everywhere. National Bike Month features National Bike Week and also National Bike to Work Day.

Through time, the league has had its ups and downs. It failed to exist on two separate occasions. It was re-formed in its current run in 1965 and was re-named the League of American Bicyclists in 1994. Former members of the League have included the Wright Brothers, John D. Rockefeller, and Diamond Jim Brady.