I'm spending some time thinking about the role of community bike shops in the bike advocacy movement. One theme I've been reflecting on - and I welcome people's thoughts, comments, push-back, etc - is this. The bicycle advocacy movement is limited in its potential in part because of the lack of diverse community leadership and participation from traditionally under-represented communities (we/they are a bunch of old white men). Community bike shops have an incredible diversity of experiences and connections to traditionally under-represented communities, but a lack of intentional engagement in policy work limits community bike shops' ability to have a broad-reaching and long-term impact. I'm trying to understand how really grassroots organizations can have a more broad-reaching impact - and where community bike shops have succeeded (or failed) in using our networks to involve people in influencing legislation or government investments.

I welcome any stories that in any way touch on the relationship between community bike shops to advocacy initiatives!

Jason Tanzman
Cycles for Change