500+ Bicyclists "On the Hill" at the National Bike Summit

The Mass Bike delegates on the Hill!
Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead

Green Bikes Unite on the Congressional Bike Ride

After years of focusing my actual advocacy activities locally, it was inspiring and refreshing to join my Massachusetts delegates and over 500 cyclists, bicycle industry leaders and bicycle advocates from all over the country in Washington, DC for the 9th annnual National Bike Summit. Here we were educated inspired and given the unique opportunity to meet Members of Congress and ask for support and sponsorship of four specific Bicycle Goals for the 111th Congress: The America Bikes Agenda, Clean TEA (The Clean, Low Emission, Affordable, New Transportation and Efficiency Act) and Complete Streets.

The summit was launched on Tuesday 3/10 with an upbeat talk and short film about Copenhagen, the world's best biking city where 36% of all Copenhageners cycling to work, school, university etc., on more than 300 kilometers of bicycle paths. This presentation was followed by a spirited welcome address and Safe Routes award presentation by Congressman James L. Oberstar, Chair of the House Transportation Committee who in 2000 was the inspiration for the Safe Routes to School program in Arlington, MA (even though Arlington has not followed through with the full intent of the pilot and been ironically discouraging cycling in its schools for years).

Wednesday's exciting program was introduced by passionate cyclist and powerhouse two-wheeled advocate Congressman Earl Blumenaur (D-OR) who took down the house with applause with his Bike Partisan approach to polictics. As the founder of the Congressional Bike Caucus he spoke on how bicycle commuting will fit into President Obama’s priorities, as well as how it will help the new green economy. He also highlighted the victories that cyclists have achieved, as well as what still needs to be done. He noted that the 111th Congress offers plenty of opportunities for cycling enthusiasts to make their mark. With fluctuating gas prices and a heightened awareness of the economic, environmental and health-related benefits bicycling brings, and a documented preference for spending money on alternative transportation infrastructure, millions of Americans are ready to burn calories instead of fossil fuel. Following congressman Blumenaur were Pedaling Political Powerhouses, Congressman Dan Lipinski, Congresswoman Doris Matsui ( who received the National Bicycle Leadership award) and Senator Tom Carper.

Throughout the day were breakouts that included: Better Biking in National Parks, Bicycle Advocates and Industry Leaders United for Change, Safe Routes to School, Affirming the Rightful Place of Bicyclists in the Transportation Policy and the Economic Stimulus package--What it Means for Bicycling. Each breakout was led by panelists that are truly making a difference in our bicycling and our world.

One profound transportation idea that stood out for me personally was shared by Alex Doty (Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia). The idea is Vision ZERO,Vision Zero might seem highly impractical and unrealistic, it is primarily a challenge to our mindsets and what we have learned to accept when we drive, walk or bike. adopted in 1997 by Sweden’s parliament is a bold new road safety policy and philosophy of road safety that eventually no one will be killed or seriously injured within the road transport system. Simply stated: ethics: human life and health are paramount and take priority over mobility and other objectives of the road traffic system. While this In fact, Dr. Claes Tingvall, the Director of Traffic Safety for the Swedish National Road Administration, believes developing countries can spend an extra 1% in cost and reduce fatalities by 90%. “Safety is very seldom expensive. The expensive thing is to modify what you did wrong in the beginning,” Tingvall believes. I am sure the families of 42 thousand American car crash fatality victims can better appreciate this Vision ZERO policy and how senseless and likely preventable their loved ones deaths were.

The content packed summit continued at lunch with a powerful talk by Larry Seltzer the President and CEO of the Conservation Fund. With his numerous examples, his beautifully crafted talk reminded the audience of Nation's precious landscape heritage and how, for our electronics addicted children most of whom suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder must fight hard to defend our parks, green space and bike paths.

The afternoon of breakouts and networking continued with an array of excellent sessions. I personally followed my passion and attended the Safe Routes to School Times Three at which I had the pleasure of hearing from Deb Hubsmith, the Director of Safe Routes to School and Robert Ping, the State Network Manager for SRTS. Yon Lambert the Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator for the City of Alexander also spoke. There is lots of great stuff happening around the country, I only hope we can get Arlingtonians to drink the koolaid, especially the crossing guards who are so adamantly opposed to bicycles.

At 4:00 we all gathered in the Auditorium and sat with our state delegates for an unique pep rally by the one and only Richard Fries. Richard, marketing director for Best Buddies and evangelist for Bikes Belong, introduced American Idol alla Washington, DC. Offering up a panelist of Advocates as judges, he invited up a handful of delegates to "make the ask" to demonstrate their and be "judged" on their pitch to congress. Needless to say, satire taught us how not to look and what not to say as we went up on the hill to ask for support for our cause. Later on that evening, fancy drinks and lots of bike talk with movers and shakers around the country including Tim Bluementhal, the powerhouse and passionate director of Bikes Belong (who generously sponsored my stay in DC) Bikes Belong is a quality organization that works to put more people on bicycles more often. From helping create safe places to ride to promoting bicycling, Bike Belong carefully select projects and partnerships that have the capacity to make a difference.

On a chilly but gorgeous Thursday morning, we all put on our finest, classic Washington wear: black suits, ties and very uncomfortable shoes. After a final pep talk from Oberstar, we all made our way to "the hill" with our fellow state delegates. Our Massachusetts group included: Mass Bike Director, David Watson, Landry's Owner Tom Henry, ABAC director Jack Johnson, Richard Fries and Mass Bike President and LAB board member John Siemiatkoski.

My advocacy up until now has been liimited to the Arlington principal and superintendant's office so being able to bring issues that are so dear to my heart into the offices and hopefully minds of key decision makers was quite a thrill. The "best" was left for last as we all excitedly made our way down the winding halls of the Senate building and regrouped in front of Senator Kennedy's office. We were introduced to one of his aids and led to a large room filled with historic photographs of the senator and his brothers at various stages of their political career. Here we gave our final pitch for American Bikes and were met with mostly enthusiasm but at the same time it was clear that we need to get these young politicians out on bikes and really experiencing the benefits of bicycling.

After our long day of "asks" we all reconvened for drinks and celebration in the Senate building. Hearing the room buzzing with conversation and enthusiasm reminded me of one big happy group ride in which we are spinning forward focused on a mutual goal while being completely connected to all the moving parts.

The following day, I quickly assembled my brand new Bike Friday Green Tikit and took it on its FIRST ride down Pennsylvania Ave! Coincidentally a bearded gentleman pulls up on his Green Bike Friday (World Tourist) and we ride to the Capitol together for the 10 miles Congressional Bike Ride along bike paths and byways around the city. Before packing up by bike and heading home, I took a little spin to the monuments and reflected that despite the challenges we all face in these tough times, the 2009 Bicycle Summit was a powerful reminder of the great things that are happening in the world. While we must face the reality that the "Inconvenient Truth" reveals, I dream that more people recognize that the bicycle offers a Convenient Solution to the myriad of economic and ecological problems humans face; that a solution as simple as two human powered wheels can save the world!

PLEASE join your local bike advocacy group, The League of American Bicyclists and Bikes Belong. Your contribution will make a difference!