The Elections Are Over But We Are Not Done

Just because the elections are over, does not mean that all of the issues are taken care of automatically. In many cases across the country a totally new administration is going to be taking office.

Contact Your Representatives

Now it is more important than ever and a chance to make a change like many of this years candidates have promised. You should take action to call, e-mail, or write letters to your representatives in your local city or county, state, and federal offices (House and Senate). Let them know that you want more funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects. More funding for rails-to-trails, public transit, and further incentives for cycling and pedestrian commuters.

Let them know that more trails, bike racks, and bike lanes are good for your community. Let them know that more public transit is a good idea.

The powers that be need to recognize that there is a sizable population of people that would greatly benefit from such measures and by supporting cycling, even more people would come on board.

Clubs and Local Advocacy Groups

Join your local cycling clubs and if there isn’t a local club, start one. Join the IMBA. Join the League of American Bicyclists. Join USA Cycling. Maybe Bikes Belong is a better fit for you or there is some other state or regional association that you could join.

The reason these clubs and organizations are so important is because they create a voice. They bring people together for a common cause. Through the collective of their members they get things done. Sometimes it might just be a small local project to get just one bicycle rack installed a local library, maintaining a mountain bike trail, or it could be a statewide project to get more funding for a bicycle bridge across a river or a trail network. Its all progress no matter how big or small.

Its Up To You

Now its up to you to be a good steward for cycling. Take care of the facilities you do have. Obey traffic laws, stops signs, traffic lights, etc. Don’t give the opponents of our cause a reason not to support cycling.

Support your local bicycle shops. They are the home base for cycling. They are business owners and chamber of commerce members. They sponsor and support cycling causes so as a cyclist you should help support them in the best way you can, by giving them your business.