A strategic infrastructure ride is the single most effective way to educate a candidate about the realities of bicycling in your community. It is a small, curated tour designed to showcase specific infrastructure challenges and successes. This is not a public event; it is a rolling classroom designed for maximum educational impact.

Step 1: The Invitation

• Who to Invite: Invite the candidate and perhaps one key staffer (like their campaign manager or policy advisor). The goal is to keep the group small and intimate.
• The Pitch: Frame the ride as an educational opportunity, not a political one. Explain that you want to give them a firsthand look at the opportunities and challenges for improving transportation in the city. Emphasize that this is a private tour, not a media event.
• Scheduling: Be flexible. Work with the campaign's schedule to find a time that works for the candidate. An hour is a good length for the ride itself.

Step 2: Planning the Perfect Route

This is the most critical part of the process. Your route should tell a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Don't just go for a pleasant ride; be intentional about every block.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: The route is your presentation. It should include:
  • The Good: A new, well-designed protected bike lane or trail. Let them feel what safety and comfort are like.
  • The Bad: A painted bike lane that is faded, full of debris, or constantly blocked. A road with a high speed limit and no bike facilities.
  • The Ugly: A particularly dangerous intersection, a bike lane that ends abruptly, or a major gap in the network that forces people onto the sidewalk.
• Keep it Concise: A 2-4 mile loop is plenty. You will be stopping frequently for discussion, so the focus is on the quality of the stops, not the distance.
• Plan Your Stops: Identify 3-5 specific locations where you will stop to talk. These are your "exhibits." For each stop, prepare clear, concise talking points.

Step 3: The Pre-Ride Briefing

Before you start pedaling, have a clear plan with your team (the 2-3 experts from your organization who will be leading the ride).

• Assign Roles: Decide who will be the primary ride leader and who will be responsible for pointing out specific features.
• Review Talking Points: Quickly go over the key message for each stop.
• Set Expectations: Remind everyone that the goal is education and conversation, not confrontation.

Step 4: Executing the Ride

• Provide a Bike and Helmet: If the candidate doesn't have a bike, have one ready for them. This removes a key barrier to participation.
• Set a Conversational Pace: Ride slowly. The goal is to be able to talk comfortably while riding.
• Narrate the Experience: As you ride, point things out. "Notice how the bike lane disappears here." "Feel how much smoother this new pavement is." "This is where we see a lot of drivers failing to yield."
• Facilitate Discussion at Stops: At each planned stop, get off the bikes. Use your talking points to explain the significance of the location. Ask the candidate open-ended questions: "What do you see here?" "How does this feel to you?"

Step 5: The Follow-Up

After the ride, send a thank-you email to the candidate and their staff. In the email, reiterate the key takeaways from the ride and offer to be a resource for them on these issues in the future. This is a crucial step in building a long-term relationship.

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