Bicycling Advocacy Groups—Who does what?

Bikes Belong collaborates with many different organizations to improve bicycling. Following is a list of the major national groups and the roles they play. To connect with a local group in your area, visit Thunderhead Alliance’s website.

Adventure Cycling Association
A nonprofit group that develops long-distance cycling routes and leads guided cycling trips to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle. Bikes Belong has sponsored several Adventure Cycling projects, including developing a national cycling route network and the Underground Railroad bicycle route.

Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
A professional organization that promotes excellence in the discipline of bicycle and pedestrian transportation.

America Bikes
A coalition of eight national groups working together on a national strategy to increase federal support for bicycling. Funded by Bikes Belong, America Bikes led the lobbying effort that garnered $4.5 billion for bicycling in the 2005 federal transportation law. America Bikes member groups are marked with an * in this list.

Bicycle Product Suppliers Association
An association of bicycle, parts, accessories, and service suppliers who serve specialty bicycle retailers.

*Bikes Belong Coalition
That’s us—the coalition of bicycle suppliers and retailers working together to put more people on bicycles more often.

*International Mountain Bicycling Association
IMBA works to protect, enhance, and expand mountain bicycling opportunities. Bikes Belong sponsors their work in Washington, D.C.

*League of American Bicyclists
Based in Washington, D.C., the League of American Bicyclists performs important policy, safety, and education work. Bikes Belong is lead funder of two important League efforts: the National Bike Summit and the Bicycle Friendly Communities program.

National Bicycle Dealers Association
An organization representing specialty bicycle dealers.

*National Center for Bicycling & Walking
An organization that aims to create bicycle-friendly and walkable communities. The NCBW provides bicycle and pedestrian advocates and professionals, transportation engineers and planners, public health specialists, and others with information, training, tools, and experts they need to foster active living through community design.

National Complete Streets Coalition
The National Complete Streets Coalition leads the effort to develop “complete streets”—roadways that accommodate all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, automobiles, and public transit. Bikes Belong has joined forces with AARP and the American Society of Landscape Architects in supporting this effort.

*Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
A national organization that works to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connect corridors to build healthier places for healthier people. Bikes Belong works closely with Rails-to-Trails on federal advocacy issues.

*Thunderhead Alliance
Thunderhead Alliance provides leadership and guidance for bicycle and pedestrian advocacy groups nationwide. Check their website to locate an advocacy group near you. Bikes Belong sponsors their Benchmarking Project, an effort to measure the success of U.S. bicycling programs, and Thunderhead’s work to help local advocacy groups access federal transportation money earmarked for bicycling and walking projects.