Summit Countdown #2: Step Up and Make Your Voice Heard

WABA’s Nelle Pierson leading the 2012 National Bike Summit Bike Ride

Attending the National Bike Summit is a lot faster — and much more fun — than taking a Civics 101 class. But rest assured: You’ll walk away with a much deeper understanding of how government works. Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes in Congress? Ever consider how the work on Capitol Hill affects your commute home or your long weekend ride? Well, the Summit is the place for you!

At the National Bike Summit, we prepare first-timers and veterans alike to make the case for bicycling in the halls of Congress. The first two days we get you prepared to talk truth to power with 18 expert-led workshops, impressive keynote speakers, and plenty of opportunities to learn from the pros who know the intimate ins and outs of how the game is played on Capitol Hill.

The final day of the Summit is the pinnacle of the event: We all head up to Capitol Hill and tell our elected officials why bicycling is important — and what they can do to help. We hear time and time again from Summit participants that lobby day is absolutely empowering and utterly transformational. Meeting your Senators and Representatives, looking them in the eye and telling them your story? It’s an experience you can’t have anywhere else. Washington, D.C. is where the decisions are made, and we need to make sure we have a place at the table when they’re talking about transportation.

Most importantly, the Summit doesn’t end on March 6. When you leave D.C., you’ll have the tools and connections to fight for bicyclists’ on your home turf. The program is geared towards a powerful impact on federal policy, but the lessons you learn will be just as applicable in your state and local government. By investing in attending the National Bike Summit, you are investing in making your community more bicycle-friendly, from the elected officials in the nation’s capital to the local bicycle advisory committee.

Make sure to register now for this crash-course in bicycle advocacy, and save $100 off the registration! Early-bird discounts end TOMORROW, Monday, Jan. 21.