Bicycle conference at Stateline May 20-21

Pedestrian and bicycle transportation will be among the topics at the 2009 Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Conference, scheduled for 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 20 and 21 at the MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa in Stateline.

Developed to augment statewide bicycle and pedestrian resources, the conference will provide the latest information on bicycle tourism, facility planning and design, safety and education initiatives, complete streets programs, Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation, as well as Safe Routes to School program information.

"In its eighth year, this conference is truly the state's foremost event for bike and walking enthusiasts, advocates, engineers, administrators, educators and consultants," NDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Manager Bill Story explained. "When fuel prices rose last year, we experienced a large increase in bicycling and walking. People understand that bicycling and walking provide many benefits in regards to health, congestion and air quality; not to mention finding a parking spot. In fact, this year alone, over 57 million adults across the nation will use a bicycle for transportation."

The conference will be held at MontBleu Casino, in Stateline, with information available at www.bicyclenevada.com or by calling (775) 888-7357. Event registration is $185 and open to the general public. The conference is presented by the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the Nevada Bicycle Advisory Board.