2013 Bike Summit - Common Talking Point

1. 2013 Bike Summit - Common Talking Point Prepared by: Erik Speakman

2. Agenda • Opening/Introduction • Cycling Current Situation • Current Research • Explore Common Talking Points • Next Steps

3. About Speakman Management Consulting • Facilitate the development of effective plans, partnerships and people for small-to-mid sized organizations. Our organization services will include: • Non-profit merger and strategic restructuring • Strategic planning and implementation • Facilitation of retreats and other working sessions • Personal Development, Training and Coaching

4. About Erik Speakman Erik Speakman has over fifteen years experience facilitating strategic planning, implementation and change initiatives. A certified mediator with an MBA in Finance and Strategic Planning from Georgia State University, Erik blends expertise in business basics with an ability to identify and troubleshoot potential conflicts and challenges to implementation. Erik has broad experience in designing and facilitating management training and organizational development programs. He has conducted leadership development, planning and partnership workshops at a number of conferences, including the Georgia Center for Non-Profits Summit and the Georgia State University.

5. Selected Client Experience • ACTION Ministries • Atlanta Bicycle Coalition • Atlanta Regional Commission • CDC • Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta • East Lake Foundation • Foundation Center • Georgia Bikes • Georgia Conservancy • Georgia Division of Public Health • Habitat for Humanity • PEDS • Trees Atlanta • United Way

6. Cycling – Situation Analysis • Cycling is on an upswing and more mainstream • Increases in cycling infrastructure • Stronger interest by politicians and government employees • More riders create more ‘challenges’ with cars • Opportunity to make a big impact - strike while 15 minutes of fame are hot - expand the 15 minutes

7. Recent Research for League of American Bycyclists • Perceptions and Possibilities! Stakeholder opinion on the status of bicycling in the national policy arena" • By Douglas Meyer of Bernuth & Williamson ! • Objectives • Obtain through a series of in-depth interviews the opinions of the national policy community, with a focus on bicycling as transportation • Obtain through a survey the opinions of leading advocates, specifically those at the Bike Summit • Analyze, compare and contrast • Provide recommendations

8. Methodology • Interviews (January-February) • 30 in-depth conversations with policy leaders identified by the League • 9 House staff & 11 Senate staff – 10 Republican and 10 Democrat • 10DOT/Other • identified by the League on a scale from “strong opponent” to “strong supporter.” • A sample of 281 registered for the National Bike Summit the Summit

9. Findings • Cycling accepted by policy leaders • Disagreement is less about the ends and more about the means. • Do take lack of any funding as dislike by policy leaders - “Fair Share” argument does not work • Part of big picture and comprehensive solution – multi-modal transportation

10. Research Recommendations • Think national, talk local (support and decisions) • Tell success stories, emphasizing benefits to others - public health, economic & reduce traffic • Be inwardly bike-centric, but outwardly multimodal and mainstream • Note budget constraints, explore existing options • Thank old allies, and cultivate new ones - local leaders and current non cyclists • Know your specific audience’s interests and perspective (e.g. “Keeping cars safe from bikes”)

11. Common Talking Points - General Public in GA • Cycling is a key aspect of a thriving livable city – a part of the solution • Bike riding has a triple bottom line - it is good for the individual's health, fiscal health/economic development and for the planet • Cycling is family-friendly, safe and ‘attractive/cool’ • We were bike riders before we became automobile drivers • Properly share all roads for all - drivers, bike riders and peds • Never ending education on safety for bike riders, the public, civic leaders and, especially, youth about the rules of the road • Cyclists can maim, injure & kill themselves and others with a bike • We may be hard headed on certain issues but there is no excuse to not wear a helmet when cycling! • NEED TO INCLUDE DATA AND PERSONAL STORIES

12. Common Talking Points – From the Workshop • Pledge for cyclists sharing the road properly and obeying rules is our priority • Cycling is key to economic development, including tourism • Improved quality of life, especially health • Cycling is a safe and fun transportation ‘choice’ • “FACES of Cyclists”: everyone/anyone does & can ride • Truth about roads - mostly paid with property and sales; and cyclists pay fair share of taxes • Cycling is cool – cycling is a choice of innovative and creative entrepreneurs and workers

13. Process to Keep in Mind • Listen first - listen to your audience before promoting messages • Target populations - cyclists to obey rules (work with ride leaders), and then youth • Document the diversity of ‘FACES of Cyclists’ • Continue to reference the 3 feet rule • Key vehicle to deliver the message - Bike Shops, Bike Clubs and Ride Leaders

14. Common Talking Points - Legislative Policy in GA • Should it be different then Talking Points for general public? • If needs to be different, what are these unique messages?

15. Next Steps • Process to finalize and communicate to rest of GA cycling community – an organization to own • Priorities for communicating these common talking points- cyclists and youth via bike shops and clubs • How do we communicate these messages? • Be an advocate/ambassador • Use technology more • Walk the Talk – obey the rules • Meet with your representatives