Wondering if anyone else locally has a similar idea or concern about bicycling in your community? Throughout Utah there are oftentimes already active advocacy organizations geographically focused on improving active transportation and recreation where you reside. In this section, we’ll help you connect to them, and if they don’t already exist, coach you through starting your own!

• Bicycle advocacy organizations in Utah

• How to start a local advocacy organization

Be sure to connect with your local advocacy organization. Don’t see one in your community? Read below for how you can get one started in your own community!

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION:

Murray: Cycle Wasatch

Orem: Orem Bicycle Coalition

Provo: Bike Walk Provo

Salt Lake City: Sweet Streets

Salt Lake County: Salt Lake County Bicycle Advisory Committee

Southern Utah: Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance

Springville: Hobble Creek Bicycle Alliance

Gather Like-minded individuals

Before you start, you need to get a core group of like-minded individuals who are interested in creating an ideal bicycling community. This may be a safer, more-connected bicycle network or it could be focused on recreation. The fastest way to do this is to start asking around in your neighborhood, online neighborhood groups, or at your office. You will probably be surprised by the number of cycling enthusiasts you will find who are just waiting to be organized.

Schedule the first meeting

We highly recommend you find a public place to meet and then advertise within local social media groups to include others in your community who might be interested. Make sure you reach out to some of the organizations that represent the diverse populations in your community so they can advertise the meeting in their community boards as well. You want to have a group that truly represents your entire community if you want to make inclusive and meaningful changes. Libraries can be a great place to hold such meetings, and don’t be afraid to go virtual as well depending on the circumstances.

The First Meeting

Use the first meeting to set up a succinct list of goals. It may help to pass around some ideas prior to the meeting to get everyone on the same page and then expand from there. Some goals you may want to consider including are as follows:

• Work on making your city a bicycle friendly community or improving its bicycle friendly status.

• What type of bicycle community are you interested in developing?

• Create a more inclusive riding and advocacy environment in your community.

• Develop relationships with local public works, planning, and engineering staff.

As you develop your goals, keep in mind what is feasible. Focus on items that will get you going and long-term goals for what you would like your group to accomplish.

The Second Meeting

Elect officers who will be responsible for planning and running future meetings. It will be best if you base these positions on a nonprofit board of directors—include a board chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer to start.

Position descriptions:

• Chair Person- Provides leadership to the organization, helps organize and set meeting agendas, and helps to guide the strategic plan of the organization.

• Vice Chair- Assists the Chair Person. Leads and organizes meetings in the chair person’s absence.

• Secretary- Keeps detailed minutes of each meeting and ensures minutes are distributed to members after meetings. Also maintains records of the organization.

• Treasurer- Manages any finances of the organization.

The Third Meeting

Develop a mission, vision, and a simple strategic plan based on your initial goals which you will follow for the rest of the year. Remember to be realistic and set goals that will allow for early wins that will energize your members.

Your Regular Meeting

You should reach out to different groups and organizations and advertise your regular meetings. Create a free website to help promote your organization, and regularly invite new organizations or individuals to participate in your advocacy efforts. Below are some sample activities for your meetings:

• Invite individuals or organizations to come speak to your group who are experts in areas like active transportation or bicycle planning.

• Plan fun bicycle rides together.

At any point, feel free to contact Bike Utah so we can provide you support while you are starting your organization. And who knows, perhaps we’ll be able to join in on a meeting! Email us at chris@bikeutah.org.

Grow Your Organization into a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Even Bike Utah started as a small advocacy group. As your organization grows, you may consider applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable status. The process to obtain 501(c)(3) status varies slightly from state to state. The Utah Nonprofit Association provides helpful information about obtaining 501(c)(3) status in Utah. Check it out here.

Bike Utah also has the legal framework in place to act as a pass through for smaller non-501(c)(3)'s to receive donations or grants.

Other Resources

Now that you have your start, the League of American Bicyclists has more details on how to retain and grow your membership while making an impact. Our Advocacy Process and Understanding Active Transportation pages are also excellent resources that will let you know how to make changes specific to Utah.