The SRAM Cycling Fund will make a $400,000 contribution to the League of American Bicyclists and the Thunderhead Alliance for Biking and Walking. The funds will be used to launch a nation wide initiative to dramatically strengthen state and local advocacy groups and help them make their communities more bicycle friendly.

Stan Day, President and CEO of SRAM Corporation commented on the potential of this combined effort. “National support of state and local advocacy groups is imperative to creating a bicycle friendly America”, he said. “A committed partnership between the League and Thunderhead Alliance will guarantee greater coordination and effectiveness among an even broader base of local advocacy groups”.

In response to SRAM’s announcement, Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists said, “SRAM’s outstanding contribution will strengthen our ability to capture this extraordinary moment of opportunity for bicycling. We have a new President, a new Congress and a new economic reality that is encouraging people to ride. Hundreds of millions of dollars of potential federal funding for cycling is at stake – and most of that will be invested at the local level. Bicyclists must have a voice in how that money is spent”.

Jeff Miller, President of the Thunderhead Alliance said, “We intend to fully leverage this remarkable investment by SRAM. These funds will help form new state and local organizations, spur innovation among existing organizations, and deliver successful advocacy training to implement needed bike policies across the nation.”

This is the fourth in a series of awardsmade by SRAM’s Cycling Fund, which was created on September 30, 2008. During the next five years, the Fund plans to award $10 million in grants to support committed national advocacy efforts that enhance cycling infrastructure, safety and access.

Information about the SRAM Cycling Fund can now be viewed at its new website –www.sramcyclingfund.org. The site features an overview of the program, the history, and a section dedicated to tracking the grants approved and updates.

Grants to date:
$200,000 to the Safe Routes to School National Partnership
$200,000 to the International Mountain Bicycling Association
$200,000 to the Bikes Belong Coalition
$400,000 to League of American Bicyclists and Thunderhead Alliance for Biking and Walking