On Saturday, March 4th, 2006, over 600 cyclists from around the region gathered at the 11th Annual Alice B. Toeclips Awards Party and Auction to recognize the efforts of individuals who have worked to make their communities safer, better, more pleasant places to ride a bicycle.

This year’s Alice B. Toeclips Award winners included:

State Representative Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland) for her support over the years, including her work in helping pass two bills during the 2005 legislature, expanding the rights of bicyclists and setting the framework for Oregon’s Safe Routes to School efforts.

Medford’s Eileen Adee for her work advocating for an 18-mile trail connecting five southern Oregon communities, work with kids in her neighborhood giving them helmets and teaching bike safety.  At 73-years old, Eileen has used her bike as her main transportation for over 40 years.

Portland’s Jeff Bernards, a community activist who founded and leads a “Get Lit!” program that hands out bicycle lights to cyclists who lack them.  Over the past three years, the program has distributed over 1000 lights, and has inspired a similar effort on the part of the Portland Police force.

Lillie Fitzpatrick of Southwest Portland for her leadership in Portland’s Safe Routes to School efforts, including serving as a team leader at Bridlemile Elementary School and helping with “walking school buses.”

Albany’s Jim Lawrence for his leadership with Bike Safety Education classes in Albany.  Over 300 kids in Albany received the BTA’s comprehensive ten-hour class last year, and Jim attended each class, as well as raising the funds needed to make the classes happen.

Darren Pennington of the Providence Portland Medical Center, for his success in encouraging bike commuters, and increasing the numberand frequency of bike commuters, at a large regional employer.

Amy Wantulok of the Hollywood Bike Gallery store (Portland) for her work in getting women on bikes and into jobs in the bike industry, leading rides and workshops and mentoring interested women.

The winners were chosen from 46 nominees from all corners of Oregon, from Bend to Lake Oswego, Portland to Klamath Falls.

The Alice Awards are presented annually by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) to recognize those whose work has promoted the use of bicycles and increased the livability of our communities. The BTA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, working to create safe, sane and sustainable communities by making bicycling safer, more convenient and more accessible.

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If you are a reporter with a question, please contact Evan Manvel, Executive Director, 503.226.0676 x12.