You’ve heard BikeDenver’s mission statement before, but it bears repeating! As a 501(c)3 non-profit and YOUR Denver bicycle advocacy organization, we work to promote and encourage bicycling as an energy efficient, non-polluting, healthy and enjoyable transportation alternative.

The time couldn’t be more right to help us achieve our goals to increase bicycling in Denver.  On the federal, state and local level there are many efforts in play to improve policy and infrastructure that will help more people choose handlebars instead of car keys.  And in Denver, Mayor Hickenlooper is on record calling on Denver’s bicyclists to increase their bike commuting to 10% of all trips by 2018.

With your help, we’re gaining significant momentum right now that will help make 2010 a big year for bicycling.  You probably already know that we rely on membership and other contributions to make our advocacy effective. Our growing list of supporters and members give us funding and political clout, shape the bicycling community, and help fund campaigns to increase bicycling. 

We invite you to join us today in our important work to make Denver a more bicycle friendly City!  You can help by making a donation or becoming a member online today.  Just link to our membership page here:  http://www.bikedenver.org/join-bikedenver/

Thanks for your support!  And now, take a look back at some of the giant leaps we’ve taken this year to grow the organization and the voice of Denver cyclists.

In 2009, with your help, we:

Led the effort to work with City Council and revise city bike ordinances to include 3-Feet to Pass language, making Denver a safer place to ride a bike.

Partnered with Bicycle Colorado to revise the bicycling section of the State Driver’s Manual to educate our newest motorists on safe and legal driving practices.

Represented the bicycle community as active participants in Denver Living Streets Initiative (a precursor to Complete Streets) and Denver Bike Initiative efforts (to prepare the city for a permanent bike sharing system planned for launch in April, 2010).

Provided 4 League of American Bicyclists education classes to teach aspiring bike commuters, train new instructors, and train City employees who conduct their work via bicycle.

Increased the visibility of businesses friendly to bicyclists in Denver by doubling the number of recognized Bicycle Friendly Businesses (to 100!) and introducing Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month Awards.

Encouraged thousands of festival-goers to travel by bike by training volunteers and offering bike parking corrals at large-scale events like A Taste of Colorado, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, and City Park’s Jazz Festival series.

Organized 6 community rides for riders of all levels, including a 95-person Summer Solstice Ride from City Park to Washington Park that went through the Denver Botanic Gardens!

Hosted an Alliance for Biking and Walking Campaigns Training to bring grassroots advocates from Denver and surrounding regions together to plan campaigns to increase bicycling.

Hired a first full-time Executive Director to lead the organization, and increase fundraising and advocacy efforts. 

Secured our first foundation grants from the REI Bicycle Friendly Communities program and the Anschutz Foundation.

Notched our first print and electronic media mentions in 5280 Magazine, Westword, The Denver Post, and on Channel 7 and KOA.

Increased our social media presence by producing two PSA’s for social networking and launching Twitter and Facebook pages (450 fans!).

Solidified key organizational relationships with Denver Bike Sharing, Greenprint Denver, the Downtown Denver Partnership, Public Works, and the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee.

 We are grateful for the support of our volunteers, members, and partners, who made these accomplishments possible! 

Now, take a look at what we’ve got planned in 2010:

Advocacy to establish a permanent bike parking facility with secure parking and showers as part of the Denver Union Station Redevelopment Project.

Advocacy that results in the adoption of a Complete Streets Policy in Denver. 

Advocacy to ensure your rights as bicyclists in Denver and the adoption of bike-friendly policy in the Washington Park Master Plan, the Zoning Code, and the Multimodal Access and Connectivity Plan.

An expansion of our Bicycle Friendly Business and Smart Cycling programs to encourage more businesses to become bike-friendly and teach more people how to ride safely.

A new monthly bike commuter awards program to highlight community leaders and individuals who use a bike for transportation.

Support for the April launch of Denver’s historic new bike sharing system.

“Energizer Stations” to motivate bike commuters and increase the visibility of bicyclists in Downtown Denver.

A membership campaign to increase our ranks of committed supporters and contributors.

The production and launch of our first radio and television PSAs to reinforce key messages about sharing the road.

A relaunch of our website to increase our ability to communicate news and educational information tailored to different audiences.

The establishment of permanent office space for the organization.