Advocacy & Education Awards

Review the award descriptions below and nominate people or organizations who meet the criteria. Find a list of all past winners here.

The 2024 Nomination Form is Now Closed. Awards will be announced at the 2024 National Bike Summit!

Advocacy Organization of the Year Award

This award goes to a bicycling and/or walking advocacy organization or club who, in the past year, made significant progress. The leaders have worked tirelessly together to grow and strengthen the organization and fulfill their mission. The proof of their efforts is in the growth of their capacity, programs, membership and the victories they have achieved for biking and walking in their state/community.  This award is about recognizing organizations that are inclusive, welcoming, and committed to growing bicycling.

Advocate of the Year Award
This award goes to a leader of a bicycling and/or walking advocacy organization who has shown tireless commitment to promoting bicycling and walking in his/her state/community. This person goes above and beyond the call of duty to transform his/her state/community into a great place for biking and walking. His or her time, knowledge, creativity, and commitment are the highest standard of excellence exemplifying a role model for peers.

Bicycle Friendly America Leadership Award
The Bicycle Friendly America Leadership Award recognizes civic, academic, and business leaders who have made significant contributions towards our shared goal of an America where biking is safe, comfortable, and accessible for all  From mayors and CEOs to public agency leaders, academics, and university presidents, this award honors the leadership of changemakers each year. 

Club of the Year Award
This award is for a bicycle club that has done an excellent job at providing a great experience for its members and people who are new to the sport of bicycling. The goal of this award is to recognize clubs that do an exceptional job at integrating advocacy into club activities or supporting advocacy organizations while creating exceptional events for new and experienced bicyclists. This award is about recognizing clubs that are inclusive, welcoming, and committed to growing bicycling.

Emerging Leader of the Year Award
This award is a special accolade for a young person who is new to the bicycling movement and has demonstrated exceptional and inspiring bicycle advocacy. Nominees have demonstrated leadership in their short tenure and show great potential to continue leading in the bicycling movement. It is encouraged that nominees be between the ages of 23-33.

Gail & Jim Spann Educator of the Year Award
This award recognizes a person that has worked to elevate bike education in their state/community and is a current League Cycling Instructor. The awardee has been active in teaching classes in the past year, serves diverse communities, and has shown innovation in their education work.

Katherine T. “Kittie” Knox Award
This award recognizes champions of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the bicycling movement. This award goes to an individual or group that has led in making bicycling more inclusive and representative and has worked to remove barriers to participation by underserved and underrepresented people in their community, state, or country.

For more information about Kittie Knox and her advocacy, visit our site: https://www.bikeleague.org/content/womens-bike-history-kittie-knox

Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm Award
This award commemorates Susie Stephens, one of the Alliance for Biking & Walking's founders and an enduring inspiration for many members of the bicycle and pedestrian movement. The honor goes to an individual or group who carries on Susie’s passion for advocating for bicycling as a fun and economical means of transportation through video storytelling. The video story addresses the benefits of bicycling in a compelling, fun, and creative way.

Dr. Paul Dudley White Award
This award recognizes an individual whose commitment, vision, and inspiration have resulted in significant improvements to the world of bicycling and the needs of American Bicyclists. Dr. Paul Dudley white was a world renowned cardiologist and cycling enthusiast. He cycled daily and realized the positive effects of cycling exercise on cardiovascular development. He pioneered safe cycling campaigns and opened the first modern cycle path on Nantucket Island in 1960. Dr. White authored Cycling in the School Fitness Programs and became an evangelist for health through cycling in the United States.

 

Nominees are strongly encouraged to be members of the League of American Bicyclists, though it is not required.