Gear Up for Change

Just like riding your bike, advocating for better cycling has seasons. If, like me, you’re mapping out your 2025 calendar, consider adding some cycling advocacy into the mix. 

Your participation in events like these truly makes a difference. Advocacy at the state level led to the 2022 law allowing communities to reduce speed limits to 25 mph, as well as to other key changes, like the Empire State Trail Detour Mandate, and Sammy’s Law allowing for local control of speed limits in NYC. At the federal level, efforts have resulted in record investments in biking and walking—$1.2 billion in 2023!

Here are key dates to mark now: 

• January 28, 2025 | Albany | NYS Safe Streets Coalition Day of Advocacy
  January is a crucial time in Albany. New legislators are seated, staff are reviewing bills, and priorities for the year are being set ahead of the April budget adoption. Join NYBC and the NYS Safe Streets Coalition in Albany on January 28th to encourage your legislators to support key cycling safety bills this session. This free event includes advance training and pairs first timers with a more experienced advocates. We also provide lunch and free bus transportation from NYC and the Kingston area, and facilitate carpools for travel from the rest of the state. Registration is open for this free event
   
• March 11-13, 2025 | Washington DC | National Bike Summit 
  March marks the annual League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit. This event unites cycling advocates from across the country to learn together and speak to congress with one voice about why cycling is important to our communities. NYBC coordinates the New York delegation, ensuring you’ll connect with key staff in the officers of your Congressmembers and Senators.  This year’s keynote speaker is Wes Marshall, author of Killed by a Traffic Engineer. Wes captivated audiences as the keynote for the NY Bike Summit in October 2024, and we can promise you will not be disappointed! Registration is open, with early bird pricing until January 17.
   
• May 13, 2025 | Albany | NYS Safe Streets Coalition Day of Advocacy 
  May is a critical time in Albany. The NYS Budget has been adopted, and legislators shift their focus to policy. We need cyclists from across the state to join NYBC and the NYS Safe Streets Coalition in Albany on May 13th.  More details and registration coming after January’s event. Check back on the Day of Action page here
   
• August 1-3, 2025 | Weekender at Paul Smith's College
  This summer's annual 3-Day Weekender at Paul Smith's College event hosted at the postcard perfect 14,000 acre lakeside campus near beautiful Saranac Lake will raise awarness and funds for NYBC. Registration opens on Wednesday, January 15 with Early Bird pricing. Check here for full info.  

If traveling is not in your future, here are a few virtual ways to get and stay up to speed on some cycling advocacy topics:

• February 4, 2025 | NYBC Webinar: Implementing 25 mph in your community
  Did you know a vehicle traveling at 30 mph is 70% more likely to kill a pedestrian or cyclist than one going 25 mph? Join us on Tuesday Feb 4 at 4:00 pm to learn more about how your local community can join the increasing number of New York communities who are saving lives by reducing their speed limit to 25 mph. Our panel of experts - featuring engineering, legal, and political leaders - will share firsthand insights on how your community make this life-saving change.  Registration is open for this free event
   
• League of American Bicyclists Monthly Webinars 
  These webinars cover topics ranging from updates on federal legislation, to insurance for bike clubs, to Gravel Cycling 101 and so much more. Presentations occur roughly monthly and recorded presentations available at: https://bikeleague.org/events/webinars/ 
   
• American Trails Weekly Webinars 
  These webinars cover a wide range of trail-related topics - developing, maintaining, mapping, planning for inclusivity and more.  Presentations every week, and recorded presentations available at. https://www.americantrails.org/training/webinars

Interested but want to know more? Contact Anne Savage, NYBC Executive Director at nybc@nybc.net.

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About NYBC
The New York Bicycling Coalition is the only statewide organization focused primarily on cycling. Our unique role is to unite, inspire, and support the New York cycling community and to provide a cohesive voice for people who ride bikes across New York State. We work closely with the New York Safe Streets Coalition to advocate for safe streets for everyone in New York, and provide safety education in partnership with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. We welcome donations to support our advocacy efforts at www.nybc.net/donate

Find us at www.nybc.net, https://www.facebook.com/nybicyclingcoalition, or https://www.instagram.com/nybicyclingcoalition