Ensuring A Voice For Youth: #BikeSummit22

The 2022 National Bike Summit will be here soon and if we’re going to use it to shape the future of our nation’s transportation system — we need as many voices of the next generation of bicyclists involved as possible. Did you know we offer a Youth Scholarship granting free virtual attendance to the National Bike Summit for those age 21 or younger?

The National Bike Summit has always been a place for those most invested in making bicycling better to convene. Last year, it also served as a space for youth to plan the Youth Bike Summit, a 3-day national conference focusing on youth advocacy and engagement. This year will look a little different, with the National Youth Bike Council (NYBC), an active collection of youth cycling enthusiasts and leaders, taking on the role of hosting a virtual space for youth at #BikeSummit22. Read below for more on the session.

Check out NYBC’s discord here and their feature on our blog!

Discussion Topic: Expanding the Appeal of Urban Cycling

Date: Sunday, March 27th

Time: 3 pm to 4 pm EST  

Description: The National Youth Bike Council is bringing youth perspectives and voices to the conversation about racial and generational inequities in bicycling in urban spaces. We will set the stage in this session and then open up dialog via poll or break-out rooms to further discuss smaller topics on what causes neighborhoods to reject new bicycle infrastructure, the perception of who bicycling is for and other topics!

While adult-led youth-serving organizations are welcome and encouraged to attend, the Sunday youth session’s focus and content will be on youth speakers and ideas. We would love to have as many people involved in the conversation as possible while ensuring a space for youth to share their voices! 

The Summit will feature other virtual sessions oriented around youth engagement that you and/or your group might be interested in attending:

• Virtual Session: learn more about the Outride Fund, a grant program empowering communities to launch youth cycling initiatives with a presentation from Outride. 
• Virtual Breakout Session: New Perspectives, New Approaches to Youth Cycling Education
• Virtual Breakout Session: School-Based Bicycling Education
• Virtual Breakout Session: Getting Kids on Bikes Through Fun, Parent Involvement and Community Engagement
• Virtual Breakout Session: Preparing to Ride: Developing Age-Appropriate Bicycle Education Curricula
• Virtual Breakout Session: Bike Advocacy Through Community Connections: Featuring a presentation from Charise Stephens of U Create Macon, the first and only official youth affiliate of the Major Taylor Association in the world. 

Explore the full agenda.

For anyone interested in attending in person there will be exciting opportunities to explore Washington D.C. by bike: 

• Sunday, kick off the Summit with a mobile workshop exploring the Traffic Garden at Thomas Elementary in DC and end the day with a DC Cycling Concierge Ride to see DC’s Best Sights at Night.
• Monday, start your morning by taking in the cultural and scenic sites of DC’s famous Cherry Trees on a DC Cycling Concierge Ride.
• Tuesday morning, join the Congressional Bike Caucus for a 5-7 mile ride focusing on innovative on-street infrastructure treatments, plus an e-bike showcase. 

Join The Fun Virtually!

• Tuesday, see bicycling through a different lens by attending a virtual screening by Bicycle Film Festival.
• Monday, DC Cycling Concierge will lead a virtual bike ride taking in the history and sites of Washington DC’s Cherry Blossoms.

Register for #BikeSummit22 here.