Car Less Ohio

The National Bike Summit has just concluded yesterday, where hundred of cycling advocates from around the country visited our representatives in Washington, DC to talk about the benefits of cycling. This kind of work is slow to see progress, but I’m glad there are people out there who have the time and dedication to do it.

If you’re like most people, you’re probably thinking, “I’d like to help, but who has the time?” Fortunately, there are two things you can do to help, even if you don’t have the resources of a full-time, or even part-time advocate:

1. Join your local bicycle advocacy organization or cycling club. Even if you don’t have the time to devote to be actively involved in the organization’s activities, the act of your joining means one more name on the roster, and numbers mean a lot to local officials when they make decisions. Plus, the 15 or 20 bucks of your annual membership fee helps a lot for all of the organization’s little expenses that add up, like web hosting fees and photocopying. And who knows, you may end up making a new friend or riding partner in the meantime.
2. Sign the Pledge at peopleforbikes.org. This organization hopes to raise the profile of cycling on a national level by showing the world just how many people care. You are welcome to sign the pledge whether you ride on the roads, or are a mountain biker, commuter, or ride just for fun. Over 200,000 people have already made the pledge. It’s easy, it’s free, and it makes a difference.