Bike Safety Advocacy
The National Coalition for Bicycle Advocacy, which is run by the League of American Bicyclists, provides resources, training, government monitoring, support for new groups, and a networking database of bike advocacy organizations across the country. For more information on bike advocacy, call them at 800-288-BIKE.
What You Can Do to Help Advocate Bike Safety
Ride as often as you can.
Know bike safety and riding techniques.
Find out about the laws and issues concerning bikes.
Contact legislators and work with government agencies to improve bike safety.
Attend meetings, organize events, and join groups that support bike safety.
Lend your financial support to advocacy groups.
Vote for legislators that support bike safety measures.
Goals of Bicycle Advocates
Assert cyclists’ rights to the roads.
Raise awareness of bike safety.
Improve bicycling facilities in all areas.
Promote safe bicycling for recreation and transportation.
Alert cyclists to discriminatory traffic laws.
Correct the misinformation and misconceptions about bike safety.
Organize a network of groups to promote bicyclists’ concerns.
Just Some of the Bicycle-related Issues That Need Advocates
Repeal mandatory sidepath laws.
Make bicycle parking available at transit stations, airports, and federal buildings.
Create bicycle accommodations on trains, buses, and other public transportation.
Enact stronger drunk driving laws and enforcement.
Improve bicycle accommodations on airplanes.
Improve bike access on all public roads, including highways.
Improve bike access to bridges and tunnels.
Address bike access concerns in the planning of new roads.
Create bike commuter facilities, such as changing rooms and showers, in government buildings.
Gain access to trails and create new trails in state and national parks.
References
“A Safety Handbook for Bicycle and Moped Owners.” Revised 1995. Baltimore: Maryland Department of Transportation.
Chauner, David, and Michael Halstead. Tour de France Complete Book of Cycling. New York: Villard Books, 1990.
Drake, Geoff. “Do the Right Thing.” Bicycling Magazine. February 1995.
Ford, Norman D. Keep On Pedaling: The Complete Guide to Adult Bicycling. Woodstock, Vt.: The Countryman Press, 1990.
Forester, John. Effective Cycling. 6th ed. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1993.
Matheny, Fred. Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Riding and Racing Techniques. Emmaus, Penn.: Rodale Press, 1989.
Perry, David B. Bike Cult. New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 1995.
Van der Plas, Rob. The Bicycle Commuting Book. San Francisco: Bicycle Books, 1989.
Van der Plas, Rob. Bicycle Technology. San Francisco: Bicycle Books, 1991.
