LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYLISTS RANKS STATES

"The League released the second annual ranking of Bicycle Friendly States. We are happy to note that New Hampshire has moved from 10th to number 8 in the national rankings.

The 50 states are scored on a 75-item questionnaire that evaluates a state's commitment to bicycling and covers six key areas: legislation, policies and programs, infrastructure, education and encouragement, evaluation and planning, and enforcement. For 2009, the top five highest scoring states ranked one through five are: Washington, 1; Wisconsin, 2; Maine, 3; Oregon, 4; and Minnesota, 5. The lowest scoring states ranked 46 through 50 are: New Mexico, 46; Alaska, 47; Oklahoma, 48; Montana, 49; and Alabama, 50

"The Bicycle Friendly State program is a ranking and award designation program that recognizes states that actively support bicycling. Modeled after the successful Bicycle Friendly Community program, Bicycle Friendly State is part of the League of American Bicyclists’ mission to create a Bicycle Friendly America. A Bicycle Friendly State provides safe accommodation for cycling and encourages its residents to bike for transportation and recreation."

BIKES BELONG AWARDS $49,500 IN GRANTS

-> According to a May 27th news release, "Bikes Belong is pleased to announce our spring grant awards. Funding in this round will help launch programs, build facilities, and measure success in six U.S. communities -- improving conditions for bicycling and putting more people on bicycles more often across the country."

The grants:

-- $10,000 to help the Derry Rail Trail Alliance (NH) pave 2 miles of path connecting their namesake trail to the Windham Rail Trail and the Derry Bike Loop.