Most people don’t get into bicycle advocacy because everything is fine, they get into it because something terrible has happened. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one in a crash, seen a dangerous city policy put cyclists at risk, or experienced firsthand how hostile streets can be. But here’s the truth: real change doesn’t happen in isolation.
The first and most important step for change starts with connecting cyclists that believe in better biking and are willing to show up and make it happen. We need numbers, we need voices, and we need people who care enough to turn frustration into action. You might be motivated and outraged, but growing your group begins with fun, approachable activities.
Why Community Matters
Imagine streets where cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers coexist safely and joyfully. This vision isn't a distant dream; it's achievable through collective action. By rallying our neighbors, local businesses, and organizations, we can reshape our public spaces into vibrant, inclusive areas that serve everyone.
No one transforms streets alone. You need people. The more voices, the more power, and the more creative, diverse, and resilient the movement becomes. Here’s why community is your greatest asset:
- Collective Action Moves Mountains – One person can make noise, but a group can create a movement. Momentum builds when people work together.
- Diverse Perspectives, Stronger Solutions – Everyone sees the streets differently. Bringing in new voices means better ideas and better results.
- Sustainable Change Requires People Power – Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. A strong community keeps the effort alive, even when progress feels slow.
Inside This Section
Rides
- Community Rides Guide
- Memorial & Vigil Ride Guide
- Critical Mass Tips
- Election Cycles Ride Guide for organized rides with elected candidates
- Advice to Help Cyclists Curteously Share the Road
- Ride Support Guide to help organize your Ride Leadership Team
- Ride Emergency Protocols
Events
- Bike Calendar of major national and international cycling events
- Local Neighborhood Bike Celebration Guide
- Guide for Hosting Regular Cycling Meetups
- Advocacy Meeting Guide for community meetings with local officials
- Community Response Meeting Guide for organizing neighborhood meetings after fatalities and serious injuries
Resources
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Resources
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Resources
- Community Development Best Practices
- Ghost Bike Advice
- Discussion Facilitation Guide - How to lead productive community conversations
- Conflict Resolution Strategies - Managing difficult conversations constructively
Key Points
- Set Up a Platform for Organizing – The first step is getting people in one place (and ideally a secondary platform to reach a broader group). Set this up immediately. Pick a social platform common in your community (e.g. Facebook, Next Door, Instagram, Discord) and an email list (MailChimp is free for up to 500 users). You want to be able to communicate quickly and efficiently. Check out our Tools Page for resources to help with operations.
- Define a Clear and Motivating Goal – People rally around clear, specific objectives. Have an immediate short-term goal (like installing traffic calming on a dangerous street) and a bigger long-term goal (like getting your city to adopt a Vision Zero policy). These goals should be easy to communicate and generate excitement.
- Make It Fun – Don’t just focus on fighting battles. Regularly plan fun, silly, and accessible activities. The fight for safer streets can be exhausting, but events that bring people together for fun keep the energy up and the community engaged. Someone in your group needs to be planning something lighthearted and welcoming every month.
- Create a Welcoming Culture – We've all been to those awkward events where we don't know anyone, and everyone is grouped into cliques. That will happen at your activities unless you actively prevent it. Make sure you have a welcoming committee at every event—people whose entire job is to introduce new attendees, start conversations, and make sure no one is left standing alone. Nobody wants to be the awkward kid in the corner at the school dance.
Quick-Start Guide to Building a Bicycle Community
1. Find Your People
- Listen First – Talk to cyclists, pedestrians, and local residents. Start making a list of people who are active (or even just vocal). What’s working? What’s broken? Where’s the biggest need?
- Host a Meetup – Don’t overcomplicate it. Pick a coffee shop or brewery, invite people, and start the conversation. If hosting at a local business, be sure to let them know you'll be coming in advance AND ask if they can offer a small discount to participants.
2. Set Clear, Bold Goals
- Short-Term Wins – Maybe it’s fixing a dangerous intersection, getting bike racks installed, or organizing a community ride.
- Long-Term Vision – Safer infrastructure, better policies, or a full-on cycling culture shift—know where you want to go.
3. Build Strategic Partnerships
- Local Businesses – Local bike shops, bakeries, breweries, coffee spots, and other physical recreational activities like rock climbing gyms are great allies. They benefit when more people bike. Make them part of the movement.
- Schools and Universities – Future advocates are students. Get them engaged early.
- Nonprofits – Groups working on public health, sustainability, and mobility are natural allies.
- City Government – You don’t need to agree with them on everything, but they control the streets. Bring them into the conversation. You will often be surprised how willing City Staff are to meet, hear your concerns, share what they're working on, and collaborate on solutions. Just don't start too hot: imagine if your job was getting paid way below private sector rates to have people yell at you all day. Start friendly and turn-up the heat as needed.
4. Create Community-Focused Events
- Rides That Welcome Everyone – No-drop group rides, family-friendly routes, or themed rides (like a donut ride—yes, that’s a thing!).
- Hands-On Workshops – Teach flat-fixing, urban cycling skills, or bike law 101.
- Public Visibility Matters – Organize events to ride to city meetings, show up to town halls, and make cycling impossible to ignore.
5. Keep the Energy Up with Fun
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5. Keep the Energy Up with Fun
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5. Keep the Energy Up with Fun
Biking isn’t just about safety—it’s about joy. Keep your community engaged with activities that go beyond advocacy.
- Themed Rides – Bike to a circuit of local bakeries for cupcakes or doughnuts and fuel up with sugar and carbs.
- Bike Scavenger Hunts – Hide clues around town, form teams, and make cycling an adventure is a great way to engage middle and high school students.
- Bike Game Days – Ever tried pool noodle jousting on a bike? It’s as fun and dangerous as it sounds.
Where to Find Cyclists
- Popular Routes & Bike Trails – Start where they already are.
- Bike Shops & Cafes – Post flyers, talk to staff, leave cards.
- Online Groups & Social Media – Facebook groups, Strava clubs, local Discord servers: wherever people talk about biking, you should be there too.
Build It, Grow It, and Make It Last
This isn’t a one-person job, and it shouldn’t be. Surround yourself with people who believe in better biking, who are willing to roll up their sleeves, and who know that change doesn’t happen overnight. Build a movement that people want to be part of; a movement that makes cycling not just safer, but more fun, more accessible, and an undeniable part of your community’s culture.
Let’s ride.