2013 Bike Summit - Common
Talking Point
Prepared by:
Erik Speakman
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4/13/2015
Agenda
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Opening/Introduction
Cycling Current Situation
Current Research
Explore Common Talking Points
Next Steps
4/13/2015
About Speakman
Management Consulting
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Facilitate the development of effective plans,
partnerships and people for small-to-mid sized
organizations. Our organization services will
include:
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Non-profit merger and strategic restructuring
Strategic planning and implementation
Facilitation of retreats and other working sessions
Personal Development, Training and Coaching
4/13/2015
About Erik Speakman
Erik Speakman has over fifteen years experience facilitating strategic
planning, implementation and change initiatives. A certified
mediator with an MBA in Finance and Strategic Planning from
Georgia State University, Erik blends expertise in business basics
with an ability to identify and troubleshoot potential conflicts and
challenges to implementation. Erik has broad experience in
designing and facilitating management training and organizational
development programs. He has conducted leadership
development, planning and partnership workshops at a number of
conferences, including the Georgia Center for Non-Profits Summit
and the Georgia State University.
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4/13/2015
Selected Client
Experience
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ACTION Ministries
Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
Atlanta Regional
Commission
CDC
Community Foundation
for Greater Atlanta
East Lake Foundation
Foundation Center
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Georgia Bikes
Georgia Conservancy
Georgia Division of
Public Health
Habitat for Humanity
PEDS
Trees Atlanta
United Way
4/13/2015
Cycling – Situation
Analysis
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Cycling is on an upswing and more
mainstream
Increases in cycling infrastructure
Stronger interest by politicians and government
employees
More riders create more ‘challenges’ with cars
Opportunity to make a big impact - strike
while 15 minutes of fame are hot - expand the
15 minutes
4/13/2015
Recent Research for League
of American Bycyclists
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Perceptions and Possibilities! Stakeholder opinion
on the status of bicycling in the national policy
arena"
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By Douglas Meyer of Bernuth & Williamson !
Objectives
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Obtain through a series of in-depth interviews the opinions of
the national policy community, with a focus on bicycling as
transportation
Obtain through a survey the opinions of leading advocates,
specifically those at the Bike Summit
Analyze, compare and contrast
Provide recommendations
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Methodology
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Interviews (January-February)
30 in-depth conversations with policy
leaders identified by the League
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9 House staff & 11 Senate staff – 10 Republican
and 10 Democrat
10DOT/Other
identified by the League on a scale from “strong
opponent” to “strong supporter.”
A sample of 281 registered for the National
Bike Summit the Summit
4/13/2015
Findings
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Cycling accepted by policy leaders
Disagreement is less about the ends and more
about the means.
Do take lack of any funding as dislike by policy
leaders - “Fair Share” argument does not work
Part of big picture and comprehensive solution
– multi-modal transportation
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Research
Recommendations
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Think national, talk local (support and decisions)
Tell success stories, emphasizing benefits to
others - public health, economic & reduce traffic
Be inwardly bike-centric, but outwardly multimodal
and mainstream
Note budget constraints, explore existing options
Thank old allies, and cultivate new ones - local
leaders and current non cyclists
Know your specific audience’s interests and
perspective (e.g. “Keeping cars safe from bikes”)
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Common Talking Points General Public in GA
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Cycling is a key aspect of a thriving livable city – a part of the
solution
Bike riding has a triple bottom line - it is good for the individual's
health, fiscal health/economic development and for the planet
Cycling is family-friendly, safe and ‘attractive/cool’
We were bike riders before we became automobile drivers
Properly share all roads for all - drivers, bike riders and peds
Never ending education on safety for bike riders, the public, civic
leaders and, especially, youth about the rules of the road
Cyclists can maim, injure & kill themselves and others with a bike
We may be hard headed on certain issues but there is no excuse
to not wear a helmet when cycling!
NEED TO INCLUDE DATA AND PERSONAL STORIES
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Common Talking Points –
From the Workshop
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Pledge for cyclists sharing the road properly and
obeying rules is our priority
Cycling is key to economic development, including
tourism
Improved quality of life, especially health
Cycling is a safe and fun transportation ‘choice’
“FACES of Cyclists”: everyone/anyone does & can ride
Truth about roads - mostly paid with property and
sales; and cyclists pay fair share of taxes
Cycling is cool – cycling is a choice of innovative and
creative entrepreneurs and workers
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Process to Keep in Mind
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Listen first - listen to your audience before
promoting messages
Target populations - cyclists to obey rules
(work with ride leaders), and then youth
Document the diversity of ‘FACES of Cyclists’
Continue to reference the 3 feet rule
Key vehicle to deliver the message - Bike
Shops, Bike Clubs and Ride Leaders
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Common Talking Points Legislative Policy in GA
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Should it be different then
Talking Points for general
public?
If needs to be different, what
are these unique messages?
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Next Steps
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Process to finalize and communicate to rest of GA
cycling community – an organization to own
Priorities for communicating these common talking
points- cyclists and youth via bike shops and clubs
How do we communicate these messages?
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Be an advocate/ambassador
Use technology more
Walk the Talk – obey the rules
Meet with your representatives
4/13/2015