2020 Bike Walk Montana Summit

Great Falls Bicycle Club > News > 2020 Bike Walk Montana Summit

March 2020

Early Bird Registration & Room Reservation Deadlines Approaching Soon

2020 Bike Walk Summit: Connecting Communities Coming to Great Falls April 29-May 1, 2020

Bike Walk Montana’s 2020 Summit will be held April 29-May 1 at the Spring Hill Suites in Great Falls, Montana. This informative, active and inspiring event will bring individuals and communities together and advance bicycling, walking and rolling in Montana.

“The 2020 Summit theme is ‘Connecting Communities,’” says Doug Habermann, Bike Walk Montana Executive Director. “With that concept in mind, we have developed a broad-based program covering issues of safety, advocacy, economics and opportunities of active transportation for all Montana communities. We will share national and community perspectives as well as celebrate local efforts and successes.”

The event will include a series of workshops focusing on topics like trail maintenance; walk audits for safety with Chris Danley; bike rodeo training to help keep young riders safe; and a bike skills clinic.

Dan Burden, a top walkability expert and pioneer urban planner will be a keynote presenter. “Dan is one of the original people-first urban planners and was instrumental in creating walk audits,” says Habermann. “He will share his thoughts on walkability and livability from a policy and design standpoint. And he lived in Montana and is excited to be coming ‘home.’”

Montana Department of Transportation Director Mike Tooley is presenting on April 30^th. Members of the Montana Legislative Interim Transportation Committee have been invited to share perspectives with attendees on the current study of bike/pedestrian path funding, maintenance, purpose, safety and economics. Presentations include, “Using Story-Telling for Advocacy,” featuring Sarah Elkins of Elkins Consulting; “Getting to Number One – Bike/Pedestrian Perspectives from Washington State,” featuring Roger Millar, Secretary of Transportation for Washington State’s Department of Transportation; and break-out sessions on walking school buses, traffic gardens, e-bikes, complete streets, and many other topics.

Other events will include a “Bike/Walk Film Night;” a guided biking/walking tour of Great Falls River’s Edge Trail; and “PEDal/PEDestrian) TALKS” your chance to hear and share inspiring stories of walking, biking and rolling.

For a full copy of the 2020 Summit program and registration information, visit www.bikewalkmontana.org/2020-bike-walk-summit.

Energy Corps Education Coordinator Position Still Open

We are still recruiting for an Energy Corps member to help us educate children and adults alike. Are you or do you know someone who wants a great experience as part of our team, that believes in bicycling and walking, wants to gain experience in networking, putting on programs and events, learn about non-profit operations and fundraising, and add to their professional credentials? We would like to continue the great work started in 2019, serve our youth and senior populations, and help them to move safely through our communities. Take a look at the position and apply here ! Hurry, the position starts April 6!

National Bicycle Summit Goes Online due to Coronavirus

The League National Bike Summit 2020 has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns. We and several other of our Montana partners including Adventure Cycling were so excited to be in Washington this weekend to share and learn with the hundreds of advocates that would have been there and to talk to our congressional delegation about pending national legislation. The League, always innovators, have decided to bring as much of the event on line as possible and we will be participating in that manner. You can learn about the League here and we encourage you to show your support, and keep informed on national issues and legislation, by joining the League. They have a great newsletter and website full of information and resources. They also are the national lead for Bike Friendly certification/state ranking and certified bicycling instruction. By joining and being a part of the League, Bike Walk Montana AND your local group or organization, you will help move active transportation forward at the three levels that all need support for us to be most successful!

AARP Quick-Action Projects

AARP invites your organization to submit applications for quick-action projects that can help your community become more livable. Applications for the AARP Community Challenge are being accepted for small grants to improve housing, transportation, public space, smart cities, civic engagement and more. Applications are due by April 1, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET and all projects must be completed by November 9, 2020. APPLY NOW!

AARP Free Publication on Temporary Pop-Up Projects

AARP has a free practical guide demonstrating how temporary projects can inspire long-term change. LEARN MORE…

Adventure Cycling Ranks

States for Rumble Strip Policies

Find out the 4 states that exceed the standards for rumble strips and bicycle safety and how Montana ranks. You can also see AC’s new resource about rumble strip solutions, model policies and standards. And take action by signing their petition. That is all here . And start the conversation with your local Montana Dept. of Transportation office about moving us up in the bike friendly ranks by adopting these policies and practices. You can find your local office here!