Follow-up Email

The following generic follow-up email is a good starting point, but should be heavily customized to the receipient. Are they most interested in local control, protecting families, road safety, economic impact? Send within one week of intial meeting.

Subject: Thank You & Next Steps on Biking & Pedestrian Safety

Dear [Legislative Aide’s Name],

Thank you again for taking the time to meet with us on [date] to discuss how biking and walking investments directly benefit [State/District]. We appreciate your thoughtful questions and the opportunity to highlight how safer, more connected streets support local businesses, improve transportation options, and save lives.

In our discussion, we covered key priorities, including:

• Protecting federal funding for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, ensuring local governments can continue to make their streets safer.
• The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act, which removes funding barriers for critical safety projects at no additional cost to taxpayers.
• [Specific local project or grant discussed], which is making a real difference in [City/Region] and could benefit from sustained federal support.

During our meeting, you expressed interest in [specific question or request for additional information], and I’ve included more details below:[Insert requested data, project examples, or links]

Additionally, the numbers make it clear why this matters:

• In [Year], [State] recorded [total number] traffic fatalities
• Of those, [number] were pedestrians and [number] were bicyclists
• [Optional: Add a particularly concerning statistic, e.g., "Fatalities among people walking and biking have increased by X% over the last Y years."]

What We’re Asking: ✅ Co-sponsor the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act ✅ Advocate for maintaining the 2% allocation for Transportation Alternatives in the upcoming FHWA reauthorization ✅ Look into the status of [specific discretionary grant] to ensure local communities receive the support they need

We know your office is juggling many priorities, and we appreciate your time and consideration. If there’s anything else we can provide to help move these priorities forward, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Looking forward to staying in touch, and thank you again for your leadership.

Best, [Your Name] [Your Organization] [Your Contact Information]

Mobilize a Letter-Writing or Email Campaign

• Create a customized email template that people can easily fill out and send to their legislators.
• Use platforms like Action Network, ResistBot, or your organization's website to streamline the process.
• Organize a letter-writing event at a community space or bike shop where people can handwrite letters (handwritten messages often get more attention).
• Encourage business owners and local organizations to send official letters of support.

Subject: Take Action: Safer Streets & Biking Infrastructure for [State/District]

Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],

I’m writing to you not just as a [resident/business owner/commuter] in [City, State], but as someone who experiences firsthand the urgent need for safer biking and walking infrastructure in our community. Every day, people in [State/District] risk their lives just trying to get to work, school, or the store. This shouldn’t be the case. We need leadership that prioritizes real solutions, not excuses.

[INDIVIDUAL NOTE: Make it real. Share your story—how does the lack of safe infrastructure impact you?] For me, this isn’t about statistics—it’s about my daily life. [Insert personal story: "I bike to work every day, dodging speeding cars because there’s no protected lane," or "As a small business owner, I see customers choosing safer, more walkable areas over ours."]. The reality is, we need real investment, not lip service.

Why This Matters in [State/District]

[ORGANIZATION NOTE: Insert local context here—recent pedestrian/bicyclist fatalities, economic impact of bike infrastructure, or high-demand projects at risk.]

• In [Year], [State] saw [total number] traffic fatalities, with [number] pedestrians and [number] bicyclists killed. These deaths are preventable.
• Investments in biking and walking infrastructure lead to a nearly 50% increase in retail sales and a nearly 50% decrease in commercial vacancies. Likewise, regardless if you drive, bike or walk, there are 44% fewer fatalities on streets with separated bike lanes.
• [Local project or grant name] is making a real impact in our community, but without continued funding, projects like this will stall or disappear altogether.

What We Need from You

Now is the time for action, not delays. We urge you to: ✅ Co-sponsor the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act—a no-cost, common-sense fix that removes funding barriers for critical safety projects. ✅ Fight for stronger federal investment in biking and walking by maintaining the 2% allocation for Transportation Alternatives in the FHWA reauthorization. Our communities can’t afford to wait. ✅ Ensure full funding for grants like [specific grant name if applicable], which provide essential resources for making our streets safer and more accessible.

No More Delays — We Need Your Leadership

Our community is watching. We need clear commitments and bold action—not just promises. Where do you stand? Will you champion safer streets, or will we keep reading about preventable deaths in the news?

I’d love to hear how your office plans to support these initiatives. Please let me know how we can work together to make [State/District] a safer, more connected place for all road users.

Best, [Your Name][Your Address][Your Email][Your Organization, if applicable]