Effective cycling advocates can create positive change. Bicycle SA believes strongly in the philosophy of “SEEing Communities Grow” which stands for the Social, Economic and Environmental benefits that cycling can bring. Cycling can bring change through improving the communities’ health and a decreased health debt, contributing to greenhouse gas reduction and as an economic driver for tourism. In tourism, transport and recreation cycling is accessible, open to all and is ecologically sustainable. There is always the danger that opportunities for cycling are forgotten or missed and it is therefore important to keep cycling in the forefront of politicians’ minds.
What is effective bicycle advocacy? Effective bicycle advocacy is: •
Strategic
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Long term
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Big picture
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Responsive
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Solution focused
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Speaking with one voice
What is an effective bicycle advocate? Bicycle advocates have many faces and are agents of change. They urge community leaders and the public to see the benefits of cycling. They promote cycling, and work towards making communities cycling friendly. Achieving more cycle friendly communities requires initiative, support, commitment and financial resources. Bicycle advocates persist! The most difficult part of advocacy is persisting, particularly when the outcome is uncertain. Advocacy demands commitment and faith in your goals. But persistence is their ultimate tool. Effective advocates provide solutions and alternatives and respect their opponents by cultivating mutual respect. Individual advocates are important but organisations bring together a powerful common voice. Those individuals who are aligned to cycling organisations have a membership behind them and collectively a larger and stronger voice. An organisation’s members bring a variety of perspectives and skills that energise and sustain campaigning efforts. Organisations bring increased community and government contact and awareness. The earlier you hear about issues that effect cycling, the earlier you can get involved and the more likely you are to succeed. As a link in the chain you can make a difference!
Join Bicycle SA and SEE cycling grow. 46 Hurtle Square, Adelaide SA 5000 Ph 08 8232 2644 Fax 08 8232 5299 office@bikesa.asn.au www.bikesa.asn.au Find out how you can be involved in Bicycle SA’s Advocacy work, latest news and campaigns by visiting our website and signing on to Bicycle SA’s eNews distribution list. Also check out our Advocacy Tools online.
Do's and Don'ts of effective advocacy. A Checklist for success Do
Don't
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Create and maintain a local coalition of individuals and organisations who share your vision for cycling and are working toward the same goals of improving opportunities for cycling.
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Become familiar with your local elected members. This includes local government, state government and federal government.
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Make personal appointments with your local elected members to discuss issues confronting cyclists and how to improve them. Confirm these meetings prior. Go to meetings prepared! Prepare a brief one or two page handout with your name and contact information containing information on what the issue is, be solution focused, suggest ways you could help with the problem. Continue to mobilise your local coalition or other individuals/ organisations who can assist.
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Use your limited time with your elected members to complain about any personal issues but instead focus on the issue that you are seeking support. The limited time you have with the official should be use for this purpose.
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Become concerned if your elected member cannot personally meet with you each time you request a meeting. The advisor you meet with can be your best friend since they can explain the issues to your local member in detail and make recommendations.
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Never get angry or make idle threats, stay calm and state your argument clearly.
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Forget to say thank you for the meeting and thank the member in writing. This is important as you may need the members support over other issues.
Simple rules •
Contact local media and ask them to do a story on the issue. Attend local public consultations around cycling and contribute in a constructive manner.
Members of Parliament will have office hours in your area. If you don't know the member directly, take time to become acquainted and bring or two people from the community.
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Get to know your member and their staffers by introducing yourself at various events.
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Thank local members who assist, you will need their support again. This thank you could be a simple email or written note.
Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. Make your message simple and straight forward with a focus on achievable solutions.
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Don't be intimidated. Members of Parliament are human and they are there to serve you. The worst they can say is no.
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Make sure you communicate often with your local members, and remember to congratulate them when they support something you believe in.
What makes politicians listen? 10 applied tips to shaping the future and working out a disagreement with persuasion. 1.
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Make a good first impression. Universally acknowledged as an important first step. Be friendly and have a good attitude. Expect the politician to reciprocate and try to make a good impression on you. Most politicians are masters at this first step. Listen before telling. How do you get a politician to tell you what they think? Ask. Use open ended questions.
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most difficult part of advocacy but persistence is your ultimate tool. Future opportunities are in the wind if you continue to be strategic and focused on solutions. 8.
Be honest. Don’t lie, if you don’t know then find out! If you make a mistake, admit it and apologise. Integrity and honesty make fact persuasive. Be flexible. Be prepared to compromise and be willing to accommodate other perspectives, agendas and timelines to achieve your key long term objectives.
Be sincere and not sanctimonious. Coming on righteously without preaching about your issues can be
Expect to give before you get. Savvy advocates work in political campaigns. Look for opportunities to help politicians get what they want. Cynically known as “you scatch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” Accept this law of politics. Be prepared. Know the ins and outs of your topic but don’t necessarily use it. Most politicians are unlikely to want to become an expert. Be confident with the technical side of your issue, but don’t dwell on it. Know what is important to the politician. You can do this by asking people who know the politician, other advocates, lobbyists or the politicians staff. Also know your opponents arguments as you will probably be asked to tell the politician why people will be opposed to your plan. You can conclude by using your knowledge to show that the benefits of your plan outweigh the weaknesses.
Be persistent. As said before it’s the
very persuasive. Remember that the politician believes there are sincere, passionate people on both sides of all arguments. They want to make the right decision, not necessarily be converted to the cause. 9.
Be focused. Many individuals and organisations make a classic error of trying to be everything to everybody, forfeiting effectiveness for anybody.
10. Be ambitious. We often don’t think big enough. Our greatest leaders of change had a clear vision of where they wanted to go although probably didn’t see a clear path beyond the first steps. Having faith they took those first steps and discovered the closer they came to their vision the clearer it became. Politicians respond to advocates with vision. They want to contribute to successful projects because it reflects favourably on them. The savvy advocate will give them an opportunity to participate.
Bicycle SA would like to acknowledge the following sources used in the development of this advocacy guide. National Center for Bicycling and Walking (USA) and America Walks Inc. Toolbox for Pedestrian Advocates (August 2002).