NBS

IMBA at the 2010 National Bike Summit

IMBA is a proud sponsor of the League of American Bicyclist's National Bike Summit. IMBA's presence at the summit includes sessions and workshops designed to help the mountain bike advocate lobby for public lands funding, protection and access. Join other mountain bike leaders, youth group organizers, retailers, club leaders, trailbuilders, bicycle suppliers and other leading voices as we unite for three powerful days in Washington, D.C.

The summit, held annually, is the premier bicycle advocacy event in our nation's capital. It brings cyclists from all over the country together to influence lawmakers and share strategies. IMBA's involvement will ensure that mountain and road cyclists are working together to lobby as a unified front. To help advocates attend this very important event, IMBA is making registration available to mountain bikers at a reduced rate, and will host several dirt-centric sessions and gatherings.

Watch an online video showing how an IMBA club snared $400,000 for trails at the National Bike Summit.

Summit Registration

Register today to be included in all the pre-National Bike Summit organizing and email communications. IMBA will conduct two webinars to walk delegates through everything they need to know to make the most out of their trip to Washington. Please register NOW so we can help you prepare to lobby for more and better trails.

IMBA Member Price:

$275 (Before 2/4/10)
$375 (After 2/4/10)
$475 (After 3/1/10)

$50 Administrative fee for cancelations prior to 2/18/10. No refunds after 2/18/10.

Schedule

See links below for IMBA-suggested sessions or view complete schedule on LAB website.

TUESDAY, March 9
WEDNESDAY, March 10
THURSDAY, March 11
FRIDAY, March 12

IMBA Main "Asks" for the 2010 National Bike Summit

IMBA delegates will attend National Bike Summit meetings alongside other cycling advocates to speak with a united voice. It’s imperative to work with state organizers and simplify your message to focus on just a few issues for both on- and off-road cycling. You can always follow up back at home on additional mountain bike-specific issues.

IMBA’s main national-level “asks” at the 2010 National Bike Summit are (click to download PDF handouts):

Support and Co-Sponsor the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act (H.R. 3734)

Support Full Funding ($900 million) for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (S. 2747 and in H.R. 3534)

Protect Public Lands and Allow for Continued Bicycling

National Bike Summit Frequently Asked Questions

National Bike Summit 2009 Report

Scholarship Information

Getting Someone Else to Pay Your Way

Finding money to fund your trip to the National Bike Summit might be easier than you think. Ask local shops, mountain bike clubs and your state's cycling association. While in D.C., you will be spreading a message that benefits all cyclists, so make sure to go beyond mountain biking-only organizations and think all groups with a connection to bicycling.

IMBA has a very limited number of scholarships available to cover registration costs. Send a 500-word essay to info@imba.com subject “NBS Scholarship” with your name and the reasons why you want to attend the 2010 National Bike Summit. Deadline has passed.

Where to Stay

National Bike Summit Host Hotel and Travel Information

We suggest booking your room now. We suggest services like Priceline.com or Expedia.com to get the best rates. We can also try and pair you up with another advocate so that you can split costs. IMBA’s local affiliated club MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off-Road enthusiasts) generously offers a few home-stays for those willing to take the Metro system from the suburbs. For more information on sharing rooms email info@imba.com with the subject “NBS Room Share” and we will put you on the list.

What to Bring

Less is more. Elected officials and their staff are overwhelmed with handouts and reading material, and more than half of what they receive is immediately discarded. Resist the urge to bring them too much information. A copy of your club's most recent newsletter or a one-page handout that summarizes state issues is appropriate. Also, if you have a specific local schwag item (like a T-shirt, socks, or a hat) it is nice (but not necessary) to bring those items along.

What to Wear

Congressional staffers dress professionally. Most wear suits or dress slacks and ties. We suggest you wear similar clothing but certainly don't rush out and buy a suit if you don't have one. Dress pants, dress shoes, a button-down shirt and a tie will work just fine. Women will want dress pants or a skirt. Iron your shirt, polish your shoes -- first impressions make a difference.

Schedule Meetings Back Home in February

Reach out to local offices of the federal, state and local land managers. You will meet with the staffs of your state's two U.S. senators and your one U.S. representative. Besides generally introducing them to IMBA and your affiliated club, you will help advance IMBA's federal mountain bike access agenda and have a unique opportunity to talk to them about your state's access, recreation and public lands issues.

You play an important role in D.C. for your local land managers. Government employees cannot lobby on behalf of their budget or issues pertaining to their recreation and resource issues. But you can. You can ask your congressional delegation to weigh in on important issues for your local land managers.

Reach Out to Federal Public Land Management Agencies

Show land managers that local mountain bikers not only help with trail maintenance, they advocate for federal and state policy issues as well. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and other federal land agencies have hundreds of units from coast-to-coast and some may be in your backyard.

Schedule a meeting with the lead local official in February to learn about their issues and see if there is anything you can do to help. Do they have a pending appropriations request for a new trail system, dam, dock, research study, visitor center or something else that you can help with? They will appreciate your reaching out to help. They can also give you supporting handouts to fully apprise you and the congressional staff you meet with on the issue.

Examples of state issues:

Funding for park infrastructure
State or local open space initiatives
Funding cuts that affect visitor hours, park and forest staffing
USACE, BLM, USFS site-specific issues

State Environmental Laws

Congressional staffs are motivated to improve conditions for their home state and they genuinely want to see where they can help. Often, they make phone calls, write letters and even go so far as to suggest legislation to help advance issues for their home state. They are interested in what is happening back at home and will appreciate the update.

Controversial Access Issues

Unless you have exhausted all other state and local discussions, we would caution you against discussing controversial access issues where user groups are fighting or where you disagree with your local land management agency. You are talking to the staff of your member of Congress -- the highest authority on federal issues in your state. The first question staff will ask is this: "Have you talked to your local land managers, other user groups and local elected officials?" Unless you have reached out to the appropriate stakeholders and exhausted all normal channels, it may be premature to ask members of Congress to intervene. If you are to the point where all other avenues have been pursued, asking for a letter of support or a phone call on your issue may be appropriate. If you are in doubt, ask an IMBA staffer during the pre-summit training sessions.

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	IMBA at the 2010 National Bike Summit IMBA is a proud sponsor of the League of American Bicyclist's National Bike Summit. IMBA's presence at the summit includes sessions and workshops designed to help the mountain bike advocate lobby for public lands funding, protection and access. Join other mountain bike leaders, youth group organizers, retailers, club leaders, trailbuilders, bicycle suppliers and other leading voices as we unite for three powerful days in Washington, D.C. The summit, held annually, is the premier bicycle advocacy event in our nation's capital. It brings cyclists from all over the country together to influence lawmakers and share strategies. IMBA's involvement will ensure that mountain and road cyclists are working together to lobby as a unified front. To help advocates attend this very important event, IMBA is making registration available to mountain bikers at a reduced rate, and will host several dirt-centric sessions and gatherings. Watch an online video showing how an IMBA club snared $400,000 for trails at the National Bike Summit. Summit Registration Register today to be included in all the pre-National Bike Summit organizing and email communications. IMBA will conduct two webinars to walk delegates through everything they need to know to make the most out of their trip to Washington. Please register NOW so we can help you prepare to lobby for more and better trails. IMBA Member Price: $275 (Before 2/4/10) $375 (After 2/4/10) $475 (After 3/1/10) $50 Administrative fee for cancelations prior to 2/18/10. No refunds after 2/18/10. Schedule See links below for IMBA-suggested sessions or view complete schedule on LAB website. TUESDAY, March 9 WEDNESDAY, March 10 THURSDAY, March 11 FRIDAY, March 12 IMBA Main "Asks" for the 2010 National Bike Summit IMBA delegates will attend National Bike Summit meetings alongside other cycling advocates to speak with a united voice. It’s imperative to work with state organizers and simplify your message to focus on just a few issues for both on- and off-road cycling. You can always follow up back at home on additional mountain bike-specific issues. IMBA’s main national-level “asks” at the 2010 National Bike Summit are (click to download PDF handouts): Support and Co-Sponsor the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act (H.R. 3734) Support Full Funding ($900 million) for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (S. 2747 and in H.R. 3534) Protect Public Lands and Allow for Continued Bicycling National Bike Summit Frequently Asked Questions National Bike Summit 2009 Report Scholarship Information Getting Someone Else to Pay Your Way Finding money to fund your trip to the National Bike Summit might be easier than you think. Ask local shops, mountain bike clubs and your state's cycling association. While in D.C., you will be spreading a message that benefits all cyclists, so make sure to go beyond mountain biking-only organizations and think all groups with a connection to bicycling. IMBA has a very limited number of scholarships available to cover registration costs. Send a 500-word essay to info@imba.com subject “NBS Scholarship” with your name and the reasons why you want to attend the 2010 National Bike Summit. Deadline has passed. Where to Stay National Bike Summit Host Hotel and Travel Information We suggest booking your room now. We suggest services like Priceline.com or Expedia.com to get the best rates. We can also try and pair you up with another advocate so that you can split costs. IMBA’s local affiliated club MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off-Road enthusiasts) generously offers a few home-stays for those willing to take the Metro system from the suburbs. For more information on sharing rooms email info@imba.com with the subject “NBS Room Share” and we will put you on the list. What to Bring Less is more. Elected officials and their staff are overwhelmed with handouts and reading material, and more than half of what they receive is immediately discarded. Resist the urge to bring them too much information. A copy of your club's most recent newsletter or a one-page handout that summarizes state issues is appropriate. Also, if you have a specific local schwag item (like a T-shirt, socks, or a hat) it is nice (but not necessary) to bring those items along. What to Wear Congressional staffers dress professionally. Most wear suits or dress slacks and ties. We suggest you wear similar clothing but certainly don't rush out and buy a suit if you don't have one. Dress pants, dress shoes, a button-down shirt and a tie will work just fine. Women will want dress pants or a skirt. Iron your shirt, polish your shoes -- first impressions make a difference. Schedule Meetings Back Home in February Reach out to local offices of the federal, state and local land managers. You will meet with the staffs of your state's two U.S. senators and your one U.S. representative. Besides generally introducing them to IMBA and your affiliated club, you will help advance IMBA's federal mountain bike access agenda and have a unique opportunity to talk to them about your state's access, recreation and public lands issues. You play an important role in D.C. for your local land managers. Government employees cannot lobby on behalf of their budget or issues pertaining to their recreation and resource issues. But you can. You can ask your congressional delegation to weigh in on important issues for your local land managers. Reach Out to Federal Public Land Management Agencies Show land managers that local mountain bikers not only help with trail maintenance, they advocate for federal and state policy issues as well. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and other federal land agencies have hundreds of units from coast-to-coast and some may be in your backyard. Schedule a meeting with the lead local official in February to learn about their issues and see if there is anything you can do to help. Do they have a pending appropriations request for a new trail system, dam, dock, research study, visitor center or something else that you can help with? They will appreciate your reaching out to help. They can also give you supporting handouts to fully apprise you and the congressional staff you meet with on the issue. Examples of state issues: Funding for park infrastructure State or local open space initiatives Funding cuts that affect visitor hours, park and forest staffing USACE, BLM, USFS site-specific issues State Environmental Laws Congressional staffs are motivated to improve conditions for their home state and they genuinely want to see where they can help. Often, they make phone calls, write letters and even go so far as to suggest legislation to help advance issues for their home state. They are interested in what is happening back at home and will appreciate the update. Controversial Access Issues Unless you have exhausted all other state and local discussions, we would caution you against discussing controversial access issues where user groups are fighting or where you disagree with your local land management agency. You are talking to the staff of your member of Congress -- the highest authority on federal issues in your state. The first question staff will ask is this: "Have you talked to your local land managers, other user groups and local elected officials?" Unless you have reached out to the appropriate stakeholders and exhausted all normal channels, it may be premature to ask members of Congress to intervene. If you are to the point where all other avenues have been pursued, asking for a letter of support or a phone call on your issue may be appropriate. If you are in doubt, ask an IMBA staffer during the pre-summit training sessions.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright