Delaware and the National Bike Summit

Now in its 14th year, the National Bike Summit unites the voices of bicyclists on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

Cycling advocates from all across the country will have an opportunity to hear from their peers and colleagues about what does – and doesn’t – work to create lasting pro-bicycling change in our communities; and to connect with people who share our passion for cycling.

Unlike a traditional conference, however, the National Bike Summit is ultimately focused on advocacy, and part of the summit is about connecting with federal policymakers to make the case for a Bicycle Friendly America.

Delaware has an amazing history with the National Bike Summit. Last year, Delaware State Senator Dave Sokola was a speaker. The year before, Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Bhatt spoke eloquently about the need to shift priorities in transportation investments. And, most impressively, Governor Jack Markell spoke at the 2010 National Bike Summit. Back in 2010, Governor Markell was the only sitting United States governor to ever address a National Bike Summit. (Now, four years later, Governor Markell is still the only United State governor to have ever spoken at a National Bike Summit!)

Delaware State Senator Dave Sokola (left) spoke at the 2013 National Bike Summit. United States Department of Transportation Chief Economist Jack Wells (center) and Bike Delaware Executive Director James Wilson (right) will be among the speakers at the 2014 National Bike Summit.

Delaware will be well-represented at this year’s National Bike Summit too. United State Department of Transportation Chief Economist (and Delaware native) Jack Wells will be speaking on an extremely important panel about how to make sure that taxpayers dollars spent on transportation go only to projects that have the biggest, long-term economic benefits to the public. And Bike Delaware Executive Director James Wilson will be speaking about how advocates can be effective in fighting for improved road safety. Finally, and most importantly, a powerful delegation of Delaware cyclists will also be heading up to Capitol Hill to deliver an optimistic pro-cycling message to Delaware’s congressional delegation…in person. (Stay tuned and check back next week at www.bikede.org. We’ll have more info then about Delaware’s cycling delegation.)

If you would like to add another voice from Delaware for cycling in our nation’s capitol, there’s still time to register for the summit.

RELATED:

• The 2014 National Bike Summit

• Senator Dave Sokola at the (2013) National Bike Summit

• DelDOT Secretary Shailen Bhatt (2012) at the National Bike Summit

• #WEBikeToDC (to the National Bike Summit!)

• Women’s Bike Forum (at the 2013 National Bike Summit)