May 22, 2013
Lansing, MI
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED The League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, and Michigan Mountain Biking Association are pleased to join forces once again for the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day to be held at the State Capitol on May 22nd, 2013 as a culmination of National Bike Month.  In 2013 we are also excited to welcome Programs to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC) as an official Advocacy Day host organization. Once at the Capitol, volunteers from all four organizations will educate legislators on key policy issues that facilitate a bicycle-friendly Michigan. Lunch will be provided after legislative visits, followed by an optional afternoon ride.

• Protecting vulnerable roadway users by establishing enhanced penalties for injuring or killing cyclists.

• Establishing a standard for safe passing of bicyclists on Michigan roads.

• Revising the right turn hand signal to make an extended right arm legal in Michigan.

• Allowing bicyclists to bypass malfunctioning traffic lights.

• Supporting a new Michigan trails and greenways license plate to fund local trail projects.

• Preventing the Raid on Natural Resources Trust Fund Dollars Available for Trails Projects.
  

• Adequately funding safe transportation infrastructure that supports multi-modal use.
  

  DOWNLOAD OUR 2013 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
  

Tentative Schedule:

8:15 am - Bike rally leaves Municipal Park*
8:30 am - Bike rally arrives at State Capitol

8:40 am - Group photo on Capitol steps w/ check-in to follow

9:00 am - Welcome, issue overview & questions
10:00 am - Meetings with Representatives and Senators
12:45 pm - Lunch on Capitol grounds

Presentation of May is Bike Month Resolution
LMB Annual Meeting & Annual Award Presentation

 
1:30 pm - "Lansing by Bicycle" (guided ride)

Price:
Registration for Advocacy Day is $12 and includes lunch.

Preparation:
If you have never communicated with policy makers before, don't worry. No prior experience is needed to participate in Advocacy Day. We'll make sure that you are comfortable with the issue priorities and that you get up to speed quickly.

The Advocacy Day Primer will answer most of your questions. We will also provide you additional guidance and walk you through the "asks" on the day of the event. Reviewing the Primer and the issue papers should prepare you for Advocacy Day.

We are also hosting a Webinar to review the materials in more detail and answer your questions prior to the event. The Webinar is scheduled for May 16th at 7:00 PM. Please reserve your spot for the Webinar at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/867981423. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

*Start Location:
Please note that we are changing the start location in 2013 from MSU Bikes to Municipal Park on the corner of Kalamazoo and Clippert in Lansing, Michigan. We sincerely appreciate MSU Bikes for hosting the staging area for the event over the past few years, but due to the high amount of construction taking place on and off campus, it is not possible for us to start the bike rally from campus this year. Municipal Park has ample parking and is right off of 127/496.
Click here for directions and a map are here.

Bike Parking:
There will be portable bike parking set up at the Capitol courtesy of the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council (Mid-MEAC). While the bikes will be watched throughout the day, we strongly encourage you to bring a lock.

Registration:
Please register for Advocacy Day ASAP so we have ample time to pre-arrange meetings with both your State Representative and Senator.

Please do not hesitate to send any questions to John Lindenmayer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

View a recap of our 2012 event here.

10 Reasons to Attend Advocacy Day
Besides getting showered with gratitude from Michigan cycling organizations for playing an essential role in shaping bicycling policy in Michigan, here are 10 reasons to register today for the 2013 Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day

1It’s a great way to celebrate Bike Month. In fact, you’ll be there for our annual Bike Month proclamation from the Legislature.

2You’ll help build on past successes, like Michigan’s Complete Streets law, which has its roots in Advocacy Day.

3It’s a great day to spend with friends united around a common passion – bicycling.

4By being part of the democratic process, you’ll have a big impact on issues that affect the enjoyment of your sport and active lifestyle.

5You’ll have the opportunity to ride Michigan’s “Main Street” (Michigan Ave.) to the Capitol and cruise the Capitol City by bike.

6It’s not “us vs. them”…talking with lawmakers allows you to relate to them better and gives you a sense of the tough decisions they face everyday.

7You’ll be the first to congratulate LMB’s 2013 Award recipients at our lunch reception. (Oh, and lunch is always delicious too!)

8It’s all about safety – Help us enact a safe passing distance law  and establish stiffer penalties for drivers who injure cyclists.

9More places to ride – Help create new trail funding opportunities and protect current funding sources.

10Better roads = better bicycling, it’s that simple! Legislators need to hear bicyclists’ perspective on why sustainable transportation funding is important.

Have another reason that you would like to share? Post a comment or send us an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please help us promote Advocacy Day by downloading our "10 Reasons to Come to Advocacy Day" flier to share with your cycling friends.