BikeWalk Virginia, in partnership with the Northern Virginia Regional Council, has been awarded funding from the VDOT's Transportation Enhancement program to create a comprehensive guide for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.

This first-ever Virginia guide will cover all aspects of safe and legal bicycling in Virginia with an emphasis on riding safely on streets. The guide will be published both in hard copy for widespread distribution and delivery and on the web for easy access and updating as laws or conditions may change. It will cover relevant Virginia laws and describe best practice safety techniques for cyclists and motorists sharing roads with cyclists. The guide will be published in both English and Spanish.

For FY2007, the Virginia Department of Transportation has awarded over $17 million in enhancement funding to projects throughout the Commonwealth.

BikeWalk Virginia and its growing list of statewide chapters are now eligible to receive contributions from the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign. Our designated CVC code is #3072. The campaign will run from October 1 - November 30.

BikeWalk Virginia is also eligible to receive funds through Benevolink . Ukrops now partners with this national program instead of managing the old "Golden Gift" program.

If you are eligible to contribute to the CVC or Benevolink, please consider allocating your contributions to BikeWalk Virginia. Funds received through these programs will help us further our advocacy and education efforts. Thank you!

Planning has begun for the 9th Annual Virginia Bike Walk Conference. Due to a very busy spring conference schedule in Virginia, we are considering the possibility of moving this conference to early fall.

We have tentatively selected the dates of September 20 and 21, 2007, a Thursday and Friday respectively. We are seeking input as to whether or not this date works better for our constituents. Please take a minute to offer your opinion. Thank you!

Land-use planning, trail sharing, environmental protection, trail design, education, and the preservation of the use of horses on our American landscapes are topics that will be discussed at the Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference on August 4-5 in Roanoke. This year’s theme of Working Together for Trails in a Changing Environment - Collaborative Adaptive Management of Trail Systems will focus on the importance of collaboration between trail users, managers, and scientists in all phases of trail planning, construction, maintenance, and data gathering, including deciding how partnerships can be developed to get work done.

Representatives from throughout the country (14 states) will bring with them a wide range of experiences and ideas to share. Conference topics include:

• How to work with land managers.
• How to foster long-term communication between equestrians and agency personnel.
• Constructive steps riders can take to protect trails.
• How to form productive partnerships with other trail users.
• How to handle trail issues.
• Trail design and construction.
• Great places to ride in the Southeast.

Accommodations at the Wyndham Hotel Roanoke start at only $79 per night (Government rate available)! Transportation is available to/from Roanoke Regional Airport. Contact the hotel to make your reservations 540-563-9300.

On Saturday, June 3, US Representative Rick Boucher and Galax Gazette editor Amy Houslohner were married in Damascus. The couple took their marriage vows following a bicycle trip from Abingdon. The ceremony took place on an old railroad bridge along the Virginia Creeper Trail.

Following the ceremony, the couple returned by bicycle to Abingdon. The Abingdon-Damascus bicycle round trip is a favorite recreation of the Bouchers who decided to have a private informal marriage in one of their favorite settings.