The forecast said rain, but we brought sunshine and spokes to Lansing! 🚲🌤️ Bicycle & Trail Advocacy Day at the Capitol on May 13 was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together when we ride with purpose.

Attendees kick off Advocacy Day by arriving to the Capitol by bike.

We kicked off the day in true LMB fashion, with a morning ride from the LMB office to the Capitol steps. The energy was high as bikes lined the lawn and our voices came together in support of safer, more accessible bicycling across Michigan.

We were honored to be joined by State Representative Julie Rogers, a longtime bike safety champion, who spoke alongside LMB about the importance of investing in infrastructure and policy that keeps Michigan rolling forward.

Throughout the day, LMB staff and passionate advocates from across the state met with legislators to discuss four key legislative priorities aimed at making Michigan a better, safer place to ride. These include:

🚲 Vulnerable Roadway User Protections
🚲 Stop as Yield (aka the “Idaho Stop”)
🚲 Recreational Trail Tax Abatement
🚲 Updating Michigan Compiled Law on Dooring and Bike Lane Parking

From hallway conversations to in-office sit-downs, we made meaningful connections and found common ground across party lines. It’s clear: better bicycling isn’t a partisan issue, it’s a Michigan issue.

Celebrating Champions of Cycling

Representative Julie Rogers and Interim Executive Director, Jeffrey Carek stand in front of the Capitol after kicking off Advocacy Day.

We capped off the day with our Annual Awards Luncheon, where we honored some of the amazing individuals and organizations who are making an impact on two wheels in Michigan’s bike community:

🏆 Tara Gluski Changemaker of the Year – Nate Phipps
🏆 Ralph Finneren Encouragement Award – Julie MacKinnon
🏆 Event Director of the Year – Dwan Dandridge
🏆 Bike Shop of the Year – PEDAL Bicycles
🏆 Outstanding Infrastructure Award – Martin Hall (The Dragon Trail)
🏆 Advocacy Organization of the Year – Bicycle Alliance of Washtenaw
🏆 Bike Club of the Year – Venture Out Cycling Club & Metro 313 Cyclones (a well-deserved tie!)
🏆 Trailblazer of the Year – Nicholas Dobbs
🏆 LMB Volunteer of the Year – Donna Mascio

These individuals and organizations are proof that advocacy takes many forms—from leading rides and building trails to lobbying for policy change and mentoring the next generation of cyclists.

Thank you to everyone who rode, rallied, and raised their voice at Advocacy Day. Your presence made an impact and your continued support keeps the wheels turning and truly makes what we do possible.

We will keep pushing forward, steadily and with intent. Advocacy doesn’t stop at the Capitol steps, it starts there.

We snapped some photos throughout the day, view them below:

View Advocacy Day Photos

Categorised in: Advocacy, Take Action, Uncategorized