Passing a Bill for Mountain Bikers
The California mountain bike community virtually gathered in November for two advocacy training workshops to discuss the best approaches and strategies for policies that impact mountain biking. Additionally the workshops explored how these strategies can be applied to current issues and active legislation. There is a 30-minute Q&A at the end of each session.
The focus of the first session includes a brief overview of the legislative process, defining the tools for success, and the importance of working together toward common goals. The second webinar reviews current policies and legislative proposals and how best to ensure mountain bike voices are present.
The advocacy workshops feature speakers from various California mountain bike organizations, including the new California Mountain Bike Coalition, in addition to IMBA Government Affairs staff. Speakers include Todd Keller and Aaron Clark with IMBA's Government Affairs team, Mike Anzalone with California Mountain Biking Coalition (CAMTB), Connor Culhane with Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (CCCMB), Tom Phillips with Redwood Coast Mountain Bike Association (RCMBA), Steve Messer with Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA), Dillon Osleger with SAGE Trails Alliance, and Katie Hawkins with Outdoor Alliance California.
The workshops welcomed 80 California mountain bikers, bike shop employees and bike industry employees. This advocacy workshop series was no cost to registrants thanks to the generosity of Patagonia.
Week 1, Tuesday November 10th, 12-1:30 p.m. PST: IMBA staff cover the steps of the legislative process as well as offensive and defensive tools used in public land planning. A panel of advocates representing California IMBA Local Partners and Outdoor Alliance discuss their experiences building partnerships to advance legislation.
(This recording begins about three minutes into the workshop. Our apologies!)
Week 2, Tuesday November 17th, 12-1:30 p.m. PST: Week 2 uses case studies to put the strategies covered in week 1 into working context. IMBA Local Partners present on the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, the Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act, the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, the San Gabriel Mountain Foothills and Rivers Protections Act, and the California 30 by 30 Plan.
