Along with the XCal that came this week we got a pamphlet from the League of American Bicyclists. It seems to be a great organization that promotes biking advocacy and helps to bring bicycling to communities. Right now if you sign up to be a member you have a chance to win a European bicycle vacation or a Trek 5200. I went to their website and this is what it has to say…

Our Mission: To promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.

We do this by: Representing the interests of the nation’s 57 million cyclists. With a current membership of 300,000 affiliated cyclists, including 40,000 individuals and 600 affiliated organizations, the League works to bring better bicycling to your community.

If you care about bicycling, become a League member today.

A Proud and Rich History

The League was founded as the League of American Wheelmen in 1880. Bicyclists, known then as “wheelmen”, were challenged by rutted roads of gravel and dirt and faced antagonism from horsemen, wagon drivers, and pedestrians.

In an effort to improve riding conditions so they might better enjoy their newly discovered sport, over 100,000 cyclists from across the United States joined the League to advocate for paved roads. The success of the League in its first advocacy efforts ultimately led to our national highway system.

Read more about the League’s history here.