Suburban Advocacy Skills Building with Maggie Melin

Agenda Background Bike Walk Every Town Policy Platform Campaign Action Plan 6 Steps Resources Next Steps Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 2

Our Mission To advocate for walking, bicycling, and public transit to Our Mission Member-based not-for-profit organization Serves Chicagoland region Founded 1985 as Chicagoland Bicycle Federation To advocate for walking, bicycling and public transit to create create healthy, sustainable, 7,000 members and 20,000+ supporters healthy, sustainable and equitable communities. equitable communities. 16 full-time staff, plus part-time and seasonal

Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 4

1. Learn about Bike Walk Every Town and how to get involved 2. Create your own local Bike Walk Every Town campaign action plan 3. Take action - Carry out your action plan 4. Connect and network with fellow advocates in the region Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 5

Advocacy Gatherings Regional Summits North Shore (Sept 2017) West Suburbs (Oct 2017) Northwest Suburbs (Oct 2017) South Suburbs (Oct 2017) Online Summit (Nov 2017) Bike Walk Spring Socials March & April 2018 Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 6

Algonquin Bartlett Batavia Berwyn Braidwood Brookfield Buffalo Grove Chicago Heights Des Plaines Elgin Glen Ellyn Hazel Crest Highland Park Norridge Oak Park Palos Heights Park Forest Robbins Schaumburg Villa Park

Bike Walk Every Town Creating Change You Policy Projects Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 8

Bike Walk Every Town - Local Policy Platform Complete Streets Policy Active Transportation Plan Funding Implementation Advisory Council Vision Zero Resolution Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 9

Bike Walk Every Town - Local Policy Platform Complete Streets Policy Active Transportation Plan Funding Implementation Advisory Council Vision Zero Resolution Model Resolution: Commitment to pursue appropriate policy platform goals. Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 16

Leadership with a plan creates change Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 18

Policy Assessment Gather information about your community to inform your campaign strategy. Checklist and sample letter available at: activetrans.org/bikewalkeverytown Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 19

Campaign Action Plan STEP 1: Define your goal STEP 2: Who is your target? STEP 3: Who is your base? STEP 4: Assess your capacity STEP 5: Plan your tactics STEP 6: Create your action plan benchmarks Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 20

Campaign Action Plan STEP 1: Define your goal CHOOSE TWO: Bike Walk Every Town Resolution* Active Transportation Plan* Complete Streets Policy* Funding Implementation Advisory Council Vision Zero CHOOSE TWO: Priority projects such as a new protected bike lane or a connected trail network. Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 21

Campaign Action Plan STEP 1: Define your goal Every Town, Illinois example: Policy Goals: Bike Walk Every Town Resolution Active Transportation Plan Priority Project(s): Connect 2 mile gap in trail Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 22

Campaign Action Plan STEP 2: Who is your target? Ideas: City council member Mayor Village Manager Trustee Alderman Engineer Public works person Planner Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 23

Campaign Action Plan STEP 2: Who is your target? Every Town, Illinois example: Campaign targets: Village council member, John Ivy Mayor, Mary Green Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 24

Campaign Action Plan STEP 3: Who is your base? Influential residents Organizations Businesses Other Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 25

Campaign Action Plan STEP 3: Who is your base? Power Mapping Consider who influences your target as your brainstorm your base. Image credit: Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 26

Campaign Action Plan STEP 3: Who is your base? How to engage them? CHOOSE TWO: Regular meetings Event Flyer or fact sheet Petition Short video Presentation Other Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 27

Campaign Action Plan STEP 3: Who is your base? Every Town, Illinois example: Residents Neighbors, friends, parents at child s school, festival attendees, trail users Organizations Parents group, hiking club, bike club, senior group, chamber of commerce, local hospital Businesses Main street shops, non-profits, library Engagement: Hold monthly meetings at local coffee shop Start a petition about connecting the trail gap Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 28

Campaign Action Plan STEP 4: Assess your capacity Availability Strengths Skill development Needs Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 29

Campaign Action Plan STEP 4: Assess your capacity Every Town, Illinois example: Availability: 5 hours per month Strengths: Passion, determination, knowledge of trail system, social media Skill development: Writing skills, expand business network Needs: Spreading the word Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 30

Campaign Action Plan STEP 5: Plan your tactics Communication PICK TWO: Traditional media Social media Email/e-newsletter Active Trans blog Press conference/town hall Other Engagement PICK TWO: Write a petition Write, email, or call elected official Meet elected official Testify before elected officials Other Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 31

Campaign Action Plan STEP 5: Plan your tactics Every Town, Illinois example: Communication: Collect names/emails and invite residents to Facebook page Write a blog article about initiative for the Active Trans blog and other local media Engagement: Write a campaign letter about need for Active Transportation Plan Schedule a meeting with target about adopting the resolution Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 32

Campaign Action Plan STEP 6: Create your action plan benchmarks Short-term (1 week to 2 months) Medium-term (3 months to 8 months) Long-term (8 months to 1+ years) HINT: Benchmarks are SMART - Specific, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic, and Time-limited Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 33

Campaign Action Plan STEP 6: Create your action plan benchmarks Every Town, Illinois example: Short-term: STEPS 4 & 5 Collect 100 emails/names of supportive residents and businesses, start a Facebook page within 2 months. Write a petition for the trail gap and get at least 50 signatures. STEPS 1, 3 & 4 Medium-term: STEPS 1, 4 & 5 Begin holding monthly meetings with residents at local café. STEP 3 Write a campaign letter about adopting an Active Transportation Plan (ATP), send to target within 6 months. Schedule a meeting with mayor and village council member to introduce the idea of the resolution. Write a blog article about the initiative and the progress made in last 8 months. Long-term STEP 5 STEPS 1 & 5 Work with the village council about getting the resolution passed within 1 year. STEPS 1 & 5 Organize a free family bike ride by next summer and involve at least 2 local businesses. Collect participant s feedback about desired biking and walking infrastructure for ATP. STEPS 1 & 4 Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 34

Resources Visit: activetrans.org/bikewalkeverytown Campaign Building Worksheets Bike Walk Every Town Policy Platforms Campaign Building Tip Sheets Case Studies Additional Resources Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 35

Monthly Webinars January: Election Advocacy Strategies February: Communication Strategies & Messaging March: Outreach Strategies & Petition Writing April: The How-to of Organizing a Pop-up Event May: Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Councils Panel Discussion Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 36

Networking Bike Walk Socials Regional Google Groups 2018 Bike Walk Advocacy Summit Bike Walk Every Town 1.0 Bike Walk Every Town 2.0 Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 37

Trail Connect Campaign Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 38

Active Campaigns & Groups Bartlett (Bike Walk Bartlett) Speed limit reduction, Itasca Bloomingdale Trail Batavia (Walk Batavia Bike Batavia) Complete Streets Education Chicago Heights Forming a Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council Elmhurst Encouragement campaign, Forming a Bike Ped Advisory Council Glen Ellyn/Lombard Connecting East Branch DuPage River Trail Elgin (Elgin Bike Hub) Active Transportation Plan update, pedal bikes for kids Oak Park (Bike Walk Oak Park) Implementing Bike Plan Robbins Complete Streets Education Villa Park Forming a Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council And more: Bike Wilmette, Go Evanston, Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove, McHenry County Bicycle Advocates, Des Plaines BPAC Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 39

Next Steps 1. Get in touch - Contact Maggie@activetrans.org to join the Bike Walk Advocacy Google Group 2. Visit the Bike Walk Every Town website www.activetrans.org/bikewalkeverytown 3. Make a plan Assess your community s assets and complete the Campaign Action Plan worksheet 4. Build your skills - Watch webinars and online training on YouTube 5. Attend the 2018 Bike Walk Advocacy Summit

Tiny events can disrupt a pattern.

Thank you! Maggie Melin Advocacy Manager maggie@activetrans.org How can Active Trans support you? Webinars Google groups Spreading the word One-on-one guidance Resource bank Regional/state advocacy Campaign Logos Attend the 2018 Summit Chicagoland s voice for better biking, walking and transit. 42