I don't have any thoughts on the name, but I would suggest making a post to the old CBF blog to let RSS subscribers know of the change to the feed.

ATA name = Bad idea

A bicylce is an icon - carries associations of youth, exercise, speed and agility, and it used to be part of the CBF name and logo.

What is ATA ? Does Active Transportation merely rename Sport (utility) Vehicles ? What feelings does the icon bring ? Green - ok that's good - a road - yes, we use roads... Other than that, it's kinda ho-hum...

It's like CBF's name was put in a blender and something bland, oatmeal-like and government-esque emerged that will not inspire any specific thoughts or feelings.

Hopefully the name will start getting attached do some of the works and projects and achievements like Bike The Drive that will start to attach feelings of concreteness and accomplishment to the name.

Couldn't this have been announced 2 weeks ago BEFORE I got the CBF logo tattooed on my arm?

I support the name change; I'm reading a lot of emotional responses but am not finding much substance as to why people are upset. I'd like to see one (or some) example of what you have now that you won't have a year from now because of this name change. I'm pretty sure a staffer could respond and assure you your programming will be intact.

I will also point out that from a programming point of view, the change is not sudden and out of the blue. The direction of progressing cycling by embracing the big picture has been a years-long movement; if you have been an active member and have read Bike Traffic, it's hard to imagine missing the philosophical background of the changed name.

I'm pretty sure we'll still do cycling well by supporting this organization.

And at least you don't have an outdated brand tattoo.

NOW you want input from members on a name for something? So if it is nearly trivial the members can be trusted to help with naming, but something as important as the group's very identity will be left to consultants and the board.

How about we call the blog: "A Load of Crap"?

I wonder if any of this had to do with the horrible black eye Chicago bicyclists as a group got this year from the influx of new, likely high-gas price inspired, cyclists who thought riding a bike meant that no rules applied to them.

Seriously, in 30+ years of riding in Chicago I have never seen such incredibly rude, self-centered, and ultimately self-destructive riding habits. This was the first summer in my life that I was more likely to be infuriated at a fellow cyclist than a motorist - from the people blowing red lights recklessly to the yahoos riding 3 bike riders across on Milwaukee, it was over the top, and not welcomed at all - every day there were letters to the editor in both major daily papers from people calling for cyclists to be regulated and licensed, like drivers.

So to all you psychotic riders out there (I'm venting, as I doubt any of these folks would be CBF/ATA members), you better ask yourself if being taxed and licensed is really worth it.

C'mon. You're going to let a new name get in the way of a relationship with an organization or communication method (i.e., the blog) that has advocated for bicyclists and brought us together in a myriad of ways? I know change is hard, but I really have explored the website and their rationale for this change. I think with time you will see that we bicyclists will be taken care of in the new mission.

That said, I feel your pain. I still am stuttering when I try to replace "CBF" with "Active Trans" in conversations.

p.s. I read a lot into three words. My apologies if I misinterpreted and ran with it.

doesn't matter anymore.