Do you find yourself wishing for better biking infrastructure, safer streets, and a more bike-friendly community? Change starts at the local level, and your voice is a powerful tool in shaping the future of biking in your area. With Lobby Day and The National Bike Summit around the corner, it’s the perfect time to speak up, get involved and make a real difference. Here’s how you can take action and make a real impact right where you live.
Advocating for better biking in your community
Join a Local Bike Advocacy Group – Many cities and regions have organizations dedicated to improving biking conditions. Groups like Transportation Alternatives in NYC, The Street Trust in Portland, and Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago work to promote cycling-friendly policies. Find a group near you and get involved!
Attend City Council Meetings – Most local governments hold public meetings where residents can express concerns and suggest improvements. Check your city’s website for meeting schedules and speak up about the need for safer bike lanes, bike parking, and complete streets initiatives. Yes, these meetings can test your patience and your confrontation tolerance, but no pain, no gain – you can make real change here. Your local advocacy group can guide you with what to say and which meetings to attend for maximum impact. Bring your friends and neighbors for a great show of support!
Reach Out to Local Representatives – Contact your mayor, city council members, or state legislators to push for better biking policies. Personalized emails, calls, or even in-person meetings can go a long way in showing local officials that residents care about bike infrastructure. Signing up for alerts with your local advocacy group can make it easy to know when to act.
Push for Safe Routes to Schools – If you have kids, advocating for Safe Routes to School programs can encourage safer bike infrastructure around schools, making it easier for children to bike safely. Amazing initiatives like Bike Bus World started with just a few local members looking to transform the wellbeing of children, communities and climate. Connect with your school district or PTA to get involved.
Pictured: Po Campo Sales & Partnerships Manager - Rebecca Resman in her local Bike Bus!
Get Involved in Your Community
Volunteer for Bike Events - Many cities host bike-to-work days, open streets events, or community rides that promote cycling culture. Volunteering at these events is a great way to show support and meet like-minded people.
Organize a Community Ride - Gather friends, family, and neighbors for a casual group ride to raise awareness about biking in your town. Events like these show local leaders that cycling has strong community backing, and they are also inviting to the “bike curious” in your neighborhood. Strength in numbers!
Pictured: Renee Moore and her bike used for and her Food Rescue By Bike work
Report Unsafe Conditions - If you notice dangerous intersections, potholes, or bike lanes that need maintenance, report them through your city’s 311 service or local transportation department. Many municipalities rely on these reports to not only find out about what to fix, but also to gauge the importance of maintaining this infrastructure for residents by the volume of reports received.
Support Your Community by Shopping Local
Buy From Local Bike Shops – Supporting independent bike shops keeps money in your local economy and ensures your community has access to expert cycling advice and services. (In fact, we would LOVE for you to buy your Po Campo bags from a local shop - here’s our retailer list.)
Dine and Shop at Small Businesses – When you’re out for a ride, make a habit of stopping by small cafes, farmers’ markets, or other locally owned stores. Many businesses appreciate and support the biking community and you’d be surprised at the impact you can make on two wheels!
Encourage Local Businesses to Be Bike-Friendly – Ask shops and restaurants to install bike racks and consider bike-friendly policies, such as offering discounts to cyclists.
Pictured: Orchard Grocery Panniers on a food haul!
Take Action on a National Level
Sign Petitions for National Bike Advocacy – Organizations like the League of American Bicyclists and PeopleForBikes regularly run petitions supporting federal funding for biking infrastructure and laws protecting cyclists. Read more about The League and their work here.
Support Bike-Friendly Legislation – Keep an eye on proposed federal and state laws related to cycling and contact your representatives to support legislation that makes biking safer and more accessible.
Join National Advocacy Groups – Become a member of advocacy organizations that push for pro-bike policies at all levels of government. Many offer newsletters and action alerts to keep you informed on what’s happening.
Pictured: Po Campo Founder Maria Boustead meeting with esteemed former Congressman Earl Blumenauer
Upcoming Bike Advocacy Events: The National Bike Summit & Lobby Day
Every year, the National Bike Summit brings together cyclists, advocates, and policymakers in Washington, D.C., to discuss how to improve biking in the U.S. The event culminates on Lobby Day, when attendees meet with members of Congress to advocate for better biking laws and funding. Whether you attend in person or follow along online and on social media, these events are a great way to get involved and show your support for a more bike-friendly future.
Register your attendance to the National Bike Summit here!
