BFW Wisconsin State Bicycle Lobby Day 2007

We had almost 20 bicycle advocates attending Lobby Day this year. We spoke with Legislators in both houses about the concerns outlined here.

For the latest information, download our Lobby Day Handbook. Use this information to call, mail or email your concerns included in this resource and other things in your area. If you weren't able to complete this contact while the representatives are in district on Tuesday the 10th, try to make this contact in the near future. The statement on the top of the page linked below, thanks for your input and lets get out there to increase funding and Make Wisconsin the BEST Place to Bicycle.

Joint Committee on Finance hearings taking place! Can I still attend a hearing? Find out with the link above.

Registrations for Lobby Day will remain open until Monday the 9th. Register before the end of the business day on Wednesday the 4th and we'll still mail you the packet. Otherwise please plan to attend the training session from 8:45-9:15 am in Legislative Hearing Room 300 NE.

What is BFW Wisconsin State Bicycle Lobby Day?
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 will be the second annual Wisconsin Bicycle Lobby Day. Our goal will be to have a district resident bicyclist visit every one of the 99 state assemblypersons and 33 state senators. The Bicycle Federation can be a resource and an overall state voice for bicyclists, but ultimately elected officials are servants of their home district constituents. A visit from a constituent is a powerful statement to a state Assemblyperson or Senator.

We will be bringing three messages to the Capitol on April 10th (we may be updating these issue messages prior to the event, check back):

1. I bicycle and I vote!
Wisconsin's Assemblypersons and Senators need to know that bicycling is a major recreational, competitive sporting, tourism, and transportation issue. It would be hard to find a person who has not owned or ridden a bicycle in their lifetime. We want our elected officials to see bicyclists as an important constituency. Connecting a face to the word "bicycle" also connects the word "bicycle" to a vote.

2. Support funding for bicycle trails and programs
Bicycle Federation works hard with the Wisconsin Departments of Transportation, Natural Resources, Tourism, and Health level assure bicycle trails, paths, lanes, educational programs, and planning are developed. All of those projects require funding, however. And, ultimately, funding depends on the state legislature's approval. We would like state assemblypersons and senators to always support funding to improve conditions for bicyclists in our state.

3. Join the Wisconsin State Bicycle Caucus
Bicycle Federation is starting a brand new group called the Wisconsin State Bicycle Caucus. We have a list of interested representatives from last year's Lobby Day. This information will be in the Guide mailed to you. Assemblypersons and state Senators can voice their support by joining this new group. Their affiliation does not bind them to any certain vote, but rather speaks to a general belief that bicycling is good for Wisconsin. We'd like every elected official at the Capitol to join the caucus.

Schedule of Events

8:30 am                 Welcome and Continental Breakfast

8:45 am - 9:15 am   Advocacy Training with Robbie Webber

9:30 am - 5 pm       Meet with your State Senator and Assemblyperson
                             (You've scheduled these yourself - Thanks!)

5 pm - 7 pm            Reception at Restaurant Magnus to recap the day
                             (120 E Wilson, 2 blocks SE of Capitol, w/cash bar)

There is no charge for Wisconsin State Bicycle Lobby Day, but your contributions to defray costs are welcome.

Resources: Who are your legislators?

Questions? Contact Nancy at nancy@bfw.org or 608-251-4456.

Register for Lobby Day: Registration is open for 2007 Lobby Day at this linked page!

Complete lobbying issues will be included in the Lobby Day Materials to be mailed to you during the last week of March.
Please contact and arrange for your own legislators' meetings.