FBA at National Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference

FBA Board members Linda Crider, Mighk Wilson and David Henderson chat with former NCBW Executive Director Bill Wilkinson and current NCBW Executive Director Sharon Roerty at the 2010 Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference in Seattle

FBA Board members Mighk Wilson, Linda Crider and David Henderson (and Advisory Board member Dwight Kingsbury) were among the 800 attendees of the national Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference in Seattle September 2-5. This biennial event (from which the Florida Pro Bike/Pro Walk conference takes its name) is put on by the National Center for Bicycling and Walking (NCBW). Over 80 conference sessions and mobile workshops gave participants the latest information on advocacy, bike facility planning and design, educational programs and safety.

Mobile workshops showed the best of Seattle’s bike lanes, shared-use paths, experimental green lanes and “sharrow” projects. Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) spoke at the closing plenary and told the crowd that although programs like Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School have been successful, advocates must stay in touch with their members of Congress and let them know that bicycling is important to America and must continue to be supported in the next federal transportation bill. The next Pro Walk/Pro Bike will be held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, September 13-17, 2010.