These days I'm frequently thinking about how TWBC can expand our impact in the community beyond doing group rides. There is a lot of advocacy work going on, and I believe we should look for opportunities to show up and help with it. One of these opportunities exists with an organization that is extremely valuable to the Tacoma bike community. Tacoma on the Go is hosting their Pedal with Politicians ride, and we can help.
What the Ride Actually Is
Strip away the name and here's what's happening: elected officials and community members on bikes, riding together, highlighting new infrastructure and talking about what is missing. That's a conversation that can have a real impact. And we can be there to help ensure the ride is comfortable for everyone.
Monday August 31st starting at 5pm - Tacoma on the Go event page: Pedal with Politicians
I think this is an important event because it places the people involved in infrastructure decisions in a position to literally see issues from street level. It's really hard to conceptualize what it feels like to bike and walk around Tacoma without experiencing it firsthand.
A Small But Important Ask
Volunteering for Pedal With Politicians is a small ask with a great outcome. It's being part of a group that makes intersections safe and makes sure that no one gets left behind. A specific, bounded task, taking just a few hours. But it helps make this a successful event, and it also makes TWBC visible to the community.
A Handful of Us Is Plenty
This isn't a call for a big crew. Just a few of us, ideally in TWBC jerseys. A small group showing up visibly as the club is exactly the kind of presence that makes something like this valuable. It's a quiet signal that we're paying attention and willing to put in the work, not just the opinions.
If you'd like to help, reach out to me directly. I'd love to get a small team together.
Tom Butler Community & Government Relations Director, TWBC tom.butler@twbc.org