Where We've Come From
Bike Walk Nebraska began as the Nebraska Bicycling Alliance in 2013. Founding President Brent Davis and a small group of volunteers initially focused on smaller legislative efforts and working to improve state roadways for cyclists. It soon became clear, though, that progress towards making Nebraska truly bike friendly would require a more sustained effort through use of professional staff.
Julie Tuttle Harris moved from board Vice President to become Executive Director in April 2015. Despite a limited budget, the Nebraska Bicycling Alliance began to make progress through partnerships, education and advocacy. The organization achieved legislative and policy changes and emerged as a subject matter expert and an influential voice for people who bike and walk.
In the fall of 2018, the Board of Directors modified the organization’s mission to include walking and decided to formally change its name to Bike Walk Nebraska in March 2019.
What We've Accomplished
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We worked with the Nebraska legislature to create 'The Good Life" license plate which raises the visibility of our work and creates a new funding stream for Nebraska's trail maintenance and construction.
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We have hosted 4 Nebraska Bike Walk Summits.
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We launched the states, first-ever adult learn-to-ride programming in partnership with Heartland Bike Share
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We championed LB 738 (107th Legislature), outlining the classification of e-bikes and definition of bicycles within the state statute
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We assisted in establishing the MoPac Alliance and successfully lobbied for trail signage and amenities
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We fully funded and defended the installation of the Market-to-Midtown Bikeway, their first protected bikeway, in Omaha.
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We continue to work with the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) to establish a state level active transportation committee and complete streets policy.
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We assisted in forming the Cowboy Trail Coalition to oversee maintenance, improvement, and completion.
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We successfully lobbied the NDOT to include bike and pedestrian issues to the Long-range transportation plan AND we have secured a seat on the Advisory Committee.
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We have provided technical assistance on bicycle friendliness, walkable communities, complete streets and safe routes to schools to over 15 communities and will continue these efforts in the future.
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We worked with NDOT to modify highway rumble strips to be more bicycle-friendly.
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We assisted the MoPAC Alliance in securing $8.3 Million to finish the construction of the MoPac Trail.
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We worked with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles to update bicycle-related information in the state driver’s manual.
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We successfully advocated for LB716 (104th Legislature), which gave bicyclists the same rights as pedestrians in crosswalks and abolished the mandatory sidepath law.
