Why We Love the National Bike Summit (Online Reg Ends Today!)

It’s that time of year again. Here at the League, we’re working overtime to make sure next week is one of the most memorable moment for bicycle advocacy in 2013.

We hope your plane tickets are booked and hotel lodgings secured, because we’re just days away from the 2013 National Bike Summit — and online registration ends at 5 p.m. today. (On-site registration will be available, but the price will increase!)

As the new kid here at the League, I’m not quite sure what to expect. So I asked my colleague’s what it is they love about the Summit…

Andy Clarke (pictured): Remarkable moments like Ray LaHood’s tabletop speech and Enrique Penalosa’s call to action in 2004 are obvious highlights, but what I love about the Summit is the impact it has on advocacy the 362 days of year people are NOT in Washington D.C. The Youth Bike Summit; countless state and local bike summits; more effective meetings with city, county, and state elected officials everywhere; and delivery of a powerful, consistent national message about the value of investing in better conditions for bicycling… that’s a pretty impressive outcome of the National Bike Summit that’s hard to quantify yet really inspiring to witness.

Alison Dewey: I first attended the Summit in 2006 as a participant from Boston. I remember feeling so empowered while visiting the halls of Congress and voicing my support for bicycling. It was an experience I will always keep with me and is a constant reminder that my voice needs to be one of many to improve the nation for bicycling.

Darren Flusche: I love the National Bike Summit because it is a chance to see all of the talented and energetic state and local advocates we work with during the year and get to know new ones.

Bill Nesper: Shortly after moving to Washington I attended my first National Bike Summit. What excited and surprised me then continues to do so today – the access we have to our congressional representatives and how vital personal stories are to affecting change.

Katie Omberg: I always love seeing how pumped up the first-time attendees are at the Congressional Reception, after they’ve been up on the Hill. Most everyone I talked to was riding a high of being able to do something they were unable to do only two days before. As an adult, you don’t have too many opportunities to learn something totally new, but this is one of them!

Scott Williams: I love the lobby day, and seeing the halls of the Congressional office buildings filled with bike advocates wearing their brightly colored bike pins. Even more awesome is the Congressional Reception, when all those bike advocates are feeling empowered and effective from talking about cycling with their elected officials. No other conference I have ever attended has that energy.

Nicole Wynands: I love the Summit because it is so nice to meet so many advocates and civil servants in person that we have worked with over the years.

What do you love about the National Bike Summit?  Share your experiences and memories in the comments!

And don’t forget to register TODAY for the biggest bicycle advocacy event of the year!