Last week, an impressive cohort of 22 dedicated volunteers converged at our offices, enthusiastically participating in the preparation of over 1,000 essential bike lights, all in anticipation of our annual giveaway. This initiative is a critical effort aimed at equipping cyclists with the necessary tools to navigate the city streets safely. Thanks to their remarkable teamwork, what usually requires several days of labor was accomplished in just under two hours, fostering connections among passionate bicycle advocates. This remarkable event exemplifies the irreplaceable value our volunteers bring to the Coalition.
As we reflect on an extraordinary summer and fall season that has furthered our mission, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our amazing volunteers. Your steadfast dedication, vibrancy, and expertise have proved instrumental in the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia’s ongoing commitment to making cycling safer and more accessible for everyone in our region.
This season, our volunteers stepped up in various roles, and their impact has been overwhelmingly positive. Here are just a few highlights of your contributions:
Policy Advocates
Our Reform Rebels were deeply engaged in several advocacy campaigns, effectively amplifying the voice of cyclists and significantly influencing policy at both the city and state levels. In response to the alarming traffic violence on July 17th, the Bicycle Coalition, in collaboration with organizations like 5th Square and Philly Bike Action, initiated a powerful petition drive that garnered an impressive 6,000 signatures and 4,000 unique comments from concerned Philadelphia residents. They delivered these demands for urgent action to the city council president and the mayor, advocating for concrete measures to enhance street safety throughout Philadelphia. A dedicated group of seven rebels canvassed their neighborhoods to collect these vital signatures, while an additional six volunteers streamlined our delivery operations—organizing and inputting signatures into the database while creating compelling signs for the rally outside City Hall.
Following the successful petition delivery, our efforts in advocating for safer bike lanes persisted strongly. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the committed volunteers who provided public commentary at council meetings and street committee sessions, ensuring that the urgent demands outlined in the petition were consistently highlighted for our local decision-makers. Your voices were indispensable in our advocacy endeavors as you shared your crucial insights with stakeholders who can effect change.
Another key campaign focused on the legalization of parking-protected bike lanes, which led a team of staff and volunteers to a successful grassroots lobby day in Harrisburg on October 7th. This dynamic team met with state legislators, distributed informative flyers, and passionately urged lawmakers to legalize this life-saving infrastructure for cyclists. Following this impactful lobby day, we have energized our policy advocates to reach out via calls and emails to state representatives, persistently pushing for the legislation to come to a vote. The unwavering commitment of each advocate has made a tangible difference in elevating awareness around the issues that affect vulnerable road users. We anticipate the Senate’s return to session in mid-November will bring our collective hope to fruition.
Outreach Ambassadors
This summer and fall, our outreach ambassadors played a pivotal role in community engagement, effectively raising awareness about the Bicycle Coalition’s mission. They actively participated in various community events, including the Lucien Blackwell Community Day, the Spring Garden Sunflower Festival, and the Cobbs Creek Harvest Fest. Our ambassadors connected with attendees, disseminated informative materials, and shared critical insights regarding cycling safety, our educational programming, and advocacy efforts. Their enthusiasm and extensive knowledge helped forge meaningful connections with both cyclists and non-cyclists alike, allowing the Coalition to expand its reach and enhance its community presence.
Lil’ Philly Safety Volunteers
The Bicycle Coalition has taken the lead in providing engaging bicycle safety programming for children, encompassing helmet fittings and occasional Learn to Ride classes at the Lil’ Philly Safety Village Bike Hub in Hunting Park. From May to October, our dedicated Safety Village Volunteers have been vital in supporting these programming efforts, assisting with Learn to Ride classes, and engaging kids in essential bicycle and pedestrian safety activities. Thank you immensely to all of our Safety Village Volunteers! You play a crucial role in helping the Coalition achieve its goal of ensuring that families have positive, memorable experiences that instill a sense of safety and fun associated with biking from a young age.
Ride Marshals
Our community group rides require effective traffic management and knowledgeable guides to assist participants throughout the route. Before and during each event, ride marshals serve as ambassadors for the Coalition, acting as points of contact for attendees and addressing any issues related to equipment, routes, or traffic. Time and again, ride marshals have stepped up to enhance the Coalition’s ability to organize large group rides, ensuring that all participants have a secure and enjoyable experience throughout the event.
Events Extraordinaires
Volunteers have collaborated closely with the development staff at the Coalition, enriching and deepening our engagement with the community and potential members during BCGP and BCYC events. They have supported in various capacities, such as greeting participants, checking attendees in, setting up, cleaning up, managing supplies, overseeing tables, and capturing photos or videos for our social media. These event extraordinaires have been integral to the resounding success of our Annual Gala and BCYC’s Philly Gran Fondo, which brought together the cycling community to celebrate the importance of a safe, supportive, and inclusive cycling environment throughout the region.
Bike Counts
Over 30 eager volunteers generously dedicated at least 90 minutes, often extending their time, to meticulously count fellow cyclists, ensuring their presence in our data. Your diligent commitment is crucial as it helps us gather the vital statistics required to advocate for enhanced infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
Thanks to your collective efforts, we have reached more individuals, raised essential funds, and engaged in numerous activities that foster a secure and joyful cycling community. Each of you has played a pivotal role in our vision to create a more interconnected Philadelphia that welcomes all cyclists.
As we look forward, we are thrilled at the prospect of continuing our collaboration to inspire and empower even more riders. Thank you once again for your invaluable contributions—your time and passion are what truly make the Bicycle Coalition thrive!
Interested in future volunteer opportunities? Fill out this form, and you’ll receive relevant volunteer opportunities in the future.
**Interview with John Smith, Volunteer Coordinator at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia**
**Editor:** John, thank you for joining us today. Can you start by sharing what the recent volunteer event accomplished in terms of the bike lights giveaway?
**John:** Thank you for having me! Last week, we had an amazing turnout of 22 volunteers who came together to prepare over 1,000 bike lights. This gives cyclists an essential tool to improve their safety while navigating through the streets, especially as we head into the darker months. Thanks to the volunteers’ teamwork, we completed this massive task in under two hours—a feat that usually takes several days!
**Editor:** That’s impressive! It sounds like the event was not only productive but also helped foster connections among passionate cyclists. Can you tell us about the feedback you received from the volunteers?
**John:** Absolutely. Many volunteers expressed a deep sense of fulfillment from participating in such a meaningful activity. They felt a strong camaraderie as they worked together for a common cause. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to meet like-minded individuals who share their passion for cycling and advocacy. The energy in the room was truly electric!
**Editor:** In addition to the bike lights initiative, your volunteers have been involved in significant advocacy efforts this season. Could you elaborate on those?
**John:** Certainly! Our volunteers have really stepped up in various roles, particularly as policy advocates. After a tragic traffic incident on July 17th, we launched a petition campaign that collected over 6,000 signatures urging the city for better street safety measures. Volunteers helped canvass neighborhoods and later participated in delivering these demands to city officials, effectively amplifying the voice of cyclists in the community.
**Editor:** That’s an incredible achievement! It seems like the volunteers play a crucial role in raising awareness. What other initiatives have they been involved in?
**John:** Our volunteers have taken part in numerous initiatives, from outreach at community events to conducting safety programming for children. For example, our “Lil’ Philly Safety Volunteers” have been vital in teaching kids bike safety and conducting helmet fittings. We’ve also had committed ride marshals who ensure that our community rides are safe and enjoyable for everyone.
**Editor:** It’s clear that the volunteers are making a significant impact. Reflecting on this season, what would you say to future potential volunteers considering getting involved?
**John:** I’d say don’t hesitate! Volunteering with the Bicycle Coalition offers a unique chance to make a tangible difference in your community while connecting with others who share your passion for cycling and advocacy. Whether you have a few hours or can commit to ongoing support, there are various ways to get involved. The more voices we have advocating for safer streets, the more change we can effectuate!
**Editor:** Thank you so much, John, for sharing these insights. It’s inspiring to hear how dedicated volunteers are involved in advancing cycling safety and advocacy in Philadelphia.
**John:** Thank you! It’s my pleasure to share our work. We welcome anyone interested in joining us to visit our website and learn more about how they can help make cycling accessible and safe for everyone in our region.
