Ballot Measures

As the federal funding landscape changes, more states, regions and cities are looking for local sources of critical transportation dollars. As a result, there has been a recent surge of transportation ballot measures across the United States.

With a 79 percent victory rate in 2012, voters are telling their governments that transportation matters -- and they're willing to pay for it.

Election Guide

Elections matter. Strong elected leaders, who support bicycling and walking, are critical to the work of advocates and to the lives of everyone who bikes and walks. During the election cycle, campaigns give bicycling and walking advocacy organizations the opportunity to educate candidates on bicycling issues, increase the focus on bicycling and walking issues in campaigns, and ultimately build a more Bicycle Friendly America. 

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 

Survey of Elected Officials and their staff

A presentation at the 2013 National Bike Summit on the results of survey work of Congressional staff and others conducted by consultant Douglas Meyer. The purpose of his research was to:

• Obtain through a series of in-depth interviews the opinions of the national policy community, with a focus on bicycling as transportation
• Obtain through a survey the opinions of leading advocates, specifically those at the Bike Summit
• Analyze, compare and contrast
• Provide recommendations  

"Show Congress" Events

The basic concept of a “Show Congress” event is to connect a member of Congress with bicycling by arranging their participation in a trail opening, ribbon-cutting ceremony, or community bike event in a way that is visual, public, and fun.

The bottom line is that you want to make your Senator or Representative look good back in their home district or state with an event that is positive, photogenic, and connected with bicycling in some way.