If you don't talk to your legislators, who will?

State legislators see lobbyists every single day. Lobbyists representing powerful corporations pushing for a roads-only approach. Lobbyists representing oil companies. Lobbyists representing dentists and construction workers and potato farmers and banks. And yes, lobbyists, like me, representing bicyclists.

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But in truth, our representatives get tired of lobbyists. They prefer to hear from their constituents, the people who vote on whether they get to keep their job Legislators are interested in meeting you to give them a sense of what the larger community really cares about. Transportation Advocacy Day on Tuesday, Feb. 12, is your chance to join your neighbors in Olympia and talk directly with your elected state representatives. Each year, Cascade Bicycle Club joins with other transportation groups to organize Transportation Advocacy Day. Together, our members speak out in support of a shared agenda that promotes bicycling, walking, transit, rail, carpooling and more. Hosting you in Olympia will be a panel of pro-bicycling legislators, experts to explain our policy priorities and offer tips on how to present your case, appointments already scheduled with your legislators, and even breakfast and lunch! If you can get yourself to Seattle or Tacoma, you can join a carpool from there to Olympia – using free Zipcars! If you prefer to ride the rails, we'll pick you up at the Olympia train station. Or if you can't make it to Olympia at all, we’re hoping to set up Skype meetings with legislators. When you register, let us know which option you prefer, and we’ll circle back about the logistics. Please join hundreds of bicyclists from around the state – and from your community – and share their energy and enthusiasm. Join us at Transportation Advocacy Day on Tuesday, Feb. 12! Click here to sign up for Transportation Advocacy Day right now.