This page shares resources and examples of working with elected officials and building political will through lobbying, elections, candidate forums, meetings, and rides.
Contents:
- Political Will and Lobbying
- Elections and Get Out the Vote
- Candidate Forums
- Meetings and Events with Elected Officials
- Legislative Bike Rides and Walks
Political Will and Lobbying
What is Advocacy? What is Lobbying?
Some helpful guides on the difference between advocating and lobbying, and nonprofits' relationship.
Advocacy vs. Lobbying, Coalition Building and Public Engagement (Connecticut Association of Non-Profits) (PDF)
Non-Profits and Lobbying: Yes, They Can! (American Bar Association) (URL)
FAQ: Lobbying and Advocacy (Center for Non-Profit Management) (URL)
Lobbying and Elections - 6/19/13
Of all that biking and walking advocates do, perhaps the most important work is representing the interests of people who bike and walk in the political process. Whether through a public candidate survey, a ribbon-cutting event for local media, or working behind the scenes with elected officials, active transportation advocates use a variety of successful tactics to heighten their political clout and improve street safety. On this call, expert advocates in our movement discussed best practices and tips on lobbying and participating in elections.
Tip sheet (PDF)
Call recording (MP3)
Lobbying and Elections for 501(c)3s and 501(c)4s - 6/20/2012 (Alliance)There is often confusion about what constitutes lobbying and to what extent a 501(c)3 organization can participate in political activities. It's important to understand how much your organization can engage politically and where the lines are drawn. On our June 20, 2012, Mutual Aid Call, we discussed the various rules that apply to 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 organizations concerning political activity and lobbying.
Lobbying and Elections Tip Sheet (PDF)
Call recording (MP3)
Lobbying Do's and Don'ts for Advocacy Organizations- 2/23/11 (Alliance)This February 23, 2011, Mutual Aid call included panelists Nayantara Mehta, senior counsel at the Alliance for Justice, and Scott Bricker, campaign manager for America Walks, who discussed how 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 organizations can lobby effectively and within the bounds of the law.
Lobbying Dos and Donts Tip Sheet (PDF)
Find Your Elected Officials Website (League of American Bicyclists)
The League of American Bicyclists' Bike Advocacy Center lets citizens enter a zip code to find local officials, provides updates on key legislations and actions, and gives an overview of how senators and representative voted on key votes.
Find Your Elected Officials Website (URL)
Working with your Congressional Delegates- 2/9/11 (Alliance)
This February 9, 2011, Mutual Aid call included panelists Lois Moss, executive director of Walk+Roll, Robin Stallings, executive director of Bike Texas and Tyler Frisbee, legislative assistant to Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon), who discussed how to contact and interact with elected officials on Capitol Hill to build a mutually beneficial relationship.
Call recording (MP3)
Working with Congressional Delegates Tip Sheet (PDF)
Working with Local Government (Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii)
At some point, every bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization runs up against non-responsive government officials. Without the right tools and strategies, dealing with these governments can be exhausting and get you nowhere. This workshop, led by Rachael Kefalos, executive director of the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, and Laura Dierenfield, executive director of Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, addressed effective techniques for working with local and state governments to affect real and tangible change in your community, as well as whether you should play the inside or outside game.
Working with local government (PDF)
Advocacy Toolkit (Bicycle Transportation Alliance)
This 2010 resource from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in Oregon includes information on influencing policymakers and bringing awareness of active transportation issues to your community, state and country. Instructions are included on how to establish influence with policymakers by providing information, and encouraging public pressure through specific methods such as calling, writing and testifying before elected officials. Additionally, a campaign planning worksheet is included to help get you started.
BTA 2010 Advocacy Toolkit (PDF)
Cycling for Everyone: Presentation (John Pucher)
This 2007 presentation is John Pucher's keynote National Bike Summit address entitled "Cycling for Everyone: Key to Public and Political Support."
Cycling for Everyone: Presentation (PDF)(5MB)
Elections and Get Out the Vote
An Advocate's Guide to Elections: Making Campaigns Work for Biking and Walking (Advocacy Advance)
To provide clarity and inspiration for bicycle advocates, this publication includes campaign guidelines for nonprofits, and biking- and walking-related examples of:
- Candidate surveys
- Candidate forums
- Legislative score cards
- “Show me” events
- Get Out The Vote efforts (as individuals)
- 501(c)(4) activities, including Political Action Committees
An Advocate's Guide to Elections (PDF)
Bike the Vote! Website (Bike Pittsburgh)
These websites from Bike Pittsburgh show how to make cycling a political issue in primary elections. The 2007 link includes a questionnaire sent to all candidates in order to gauge interest in making Pittsburgh a bicycle friendly city, and the 2009 link outlines the campaign and presents answers on cycling issues from Pittsburgh's democratic mayoral candidates.
Bike the Vote! 2011 Website (URL)
Active Transportation Alliance:
In advance of the 2011 election season, Active Trans in Chicago worked with a number of area partners to create a 
Sustainable Transportation Platform. "This platform was developed by a broad coalition of advocates for better transportation in Chicago. It recommends ten key transportation priorities for the next mayor to put Chicago on the path to a smarter and more sustainable future."
2011 Election Website (URL)
Chicago Transportation Platform (PDF)
Candidate Forums
2011 Austin Council Candidate Forum (League of Bicycling Voters, now Bike Austin)
April 25, 2011. From the League of Bicycling Voters, these documents capture various print materials and other resources used at the April 4th Austin City Council Candidate Forum on Bicycling.
2011 City Council Candidate Questionnaire (DOC)
Endorsements Postcard (PDF)
Forum Agenda (XLS)
Forum Postcard Version 1 (PDF)
Forum Postcard Version 2 (PDF)
LOBV Board endorsements for Austin City Council (URL)
News Release (DOC)
Report from the City Council Candidates Forum (URL)
Website Invitation (URL)
Meetings and Events with Elected Officials
Tips for Meeting with Elected Officials (Alliance for Biking and Walking)This document from the Alliance for Biking and Walking (ABW) provides important tips for meeting with elected officials. The resource covers scheduling meetings, conducting the meeting, and meeting follow-up.
Tips for Meeting with Elected Officials (PDF)(52.7KB)
Event Logistics Checklist (America Bikes)
25 April 2012. This event checklist can help you quickly determine whether you have key tasks handled for your event. This is not meant to be a complete guide to planning an event, but rather a list of key logistics pertaining to hosting your Member of Congress and/or the media. (pdf)
Logistics checklist.pdf
Sample invitations to Congress for a Local Event (America Bikes)16 April 2012. Sample fill-in letter to create a meeting request or invitation for your Member of Congress to a local event, includes a sample script for following up with scheduler. (Word)
Sample letters to Congress.doc
Meeting Request Template for a Member of Congress (America Bikes)This 2011 primer from America Bikes provides a template letter for bicycle and pedestrian advocates to request a meeting with a member of Congress. (DOC)
Inviting a Member of Congress
Tips for a Successful "Show Congress" Event (America Bikes)16 April 2012. Ten tips for organizing a successful event is to connect a member of Congress with bicycling in their home community. (pdf)
Tips_for_a_Successful_Show_Congress_Event.pdf
Effective Messaging for Your "Show Congress" Event (America Bikes)24 April 2012. Effective messaging before, during, and after your "Show Congress" event can help you or your organization create a lasting and impactful relationship with your Senator or Representative and their staff. Use this guide to stay on-message with your Senator or Representative and their staff. (PDF)
Tips on Messaging.pdf
Tips on Collecting Media Coverage (America Bikes)25 April 2012. Careful planning to attract members of the press to your event can make a big difference in drawing attention to your efforts. There are several simple steps you can take to successfully document the day for yourself, too, even if there are no reporters present. After the event, tracking media coverage and reporting back about the event will help biking and walking advocacy on both a local and national level.
Guide to getting media (PDF)
Municipal Bicycle Resource Guide (League of Illinois Bicyclists)
This guide was produced in the Spring of 2004 by the League of Illinois Bicyclists to give an overview of bike issues to local officials.
Municipal Bicycle Resource Guide (PDF)
Municipal Bicycle Resource Guide Website (PDF)
Legislative Bike Rides
Legislative Bike Tour Invitation for Legislators (Bicycle Coalition of Maine)
This is an invitation to legislators requesting an RSVP for attending the 2007 Legislative Bike Tour and Walk hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
Legislative Bike Tour Invitation (PDF)
