4th Annual
Lucinda Means Bicycle
Advocacy Day
June 5 2008 - Lansing
Are you tired of vehicles buzzing too close to your bicycle? Do you think our roads should have wide shoulders or designated bicycle lanes? Do you dream of a day you can ride in traffic and feel safe?
The Lucinda Means Advocacy Day is your chance to effect change!
On June 5, the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) and bicyclists from around the state will join forces for a Ride and a Road Rally to the State Capitol building. Our goal is to take our concerns about bicycling and the rights of bicyclists on the roadways in Michigan directly to our state legislators in Lansing. This event is free, but registration is required.
If you ride a bike and want to improve cycling in Michigan, come join us. Afterward, enjoy lunch on the Capitol grounds, compliments of LMB. Then, meet with your own legislators and/or staffs in the Capitol. Constituents count! We need you to carry these important issues to your representatives:
Visit our Advocacy Center to learn more about LMB's Advocacy Priorities
We will show you how to lobby your state legislators. If possible, we will arrange for you to meet with them and/or their staffs that afternoon.
Schedule:
8:30-9:30 am: Optional 20 mile ride from MSU Bikes Service Center (Helmets required)
11:30 am: Bike Rally (3.7 mi) leaves from MSU Bikes Service Center (Helmets required)
12:00 noon: Program, mini-training and information pick-up
12:20 pm: Lunch on Capitol Grounds (Legislators and staff welcome)
1:00 pm: Meetings with State Representatives and Senators
Proceeds from the Lucinda Means Advocacy Fund cover your participation, but donations are always welcome.
Map to Event Start (MSU Bikes)
Downloadable Advocacy Day Promotional Graphics
Download PDF Advocacy Day registration form
or use the email form below.
3RD ANNUAL LUCINDA MEANS ADVOCACY DAY
BRINGS OVER 85 BICYCLISTS TO STATE CAPITOL
Wednesday May 30, 2007
On May 30th, 80 bicyclists from across Michigan converged at Michigan State University’s MSU Bikes Service Center, after an optional 20-mile farm-country ride through beautiful surrounding the campus, for the 3rd annual Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day.
The cyclists “paraded” five miles down Michigan Avenue to the State Capitol, escorted by police from MSU, Lansing Community College, East Lansing and Lansing and led by LMB member Thomas Harpstead, who pulled a bike-trailer billboard sporting “Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Rules” banners.
Bicycles filled the Capitol lawn where riders and legislators enjoyed lunch and listened attentively to Representative Gabe Leland, who presented LMB with the House Resolution, which designated May as Bike Month in Michigan. In addition to Representative Leland, Representatives Andy Coulouris, Lee Gonzales, Bill Huizenga, Kathleen Law, and Aldo Vagnozzi and Senator Tom George visited the LMB tent to offer support to Michigan bicycling.
After Board Chair Mike Boersma shared a brief history of the LMB and the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day, Associate Director John Lindenmayer offered some “Advocacy 101” tips, before ten teams of lycra-clad participants, as ambassadors for all Michigan bicyclists, visited 148 offices in three buildings to deliver Michigan bicycling information to all State Senators and Representatives. Volunteers reported warm receptions from lawmakers and their staffs and many met personally with their elected officials.
In addition to leaving LMB Ride Calendars, “What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know” booklets, and other publications, the volunteers asked each lawmaker to complete a bicycling survey and return it to LMB. First results look extremely promising, with most respondents indicating that they personally ride a bike and many expressing interest in a Michigan Legislative Bicycling Caucus. LMB will report on the survey results on our website and in the next issue of the Michigan Bicyclist Magazine.
LMB would like to extend a heart-felt “thank you” to all who participated in this year’s Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day. LMB will continue to build on the success of this annual event and foster a strong relationship between the Michigan Legislature and Michigan bicyclists. LMB is already busy following up with our legislative visits and planning next year’s event. We look forward to riding and advocating with all of you again next May!
3rd Annual Advocacy Day Photos by Tim Potter, & Matt Jaglowski
