Cycling Tips & Stories

As you know, MoBikeFed currently has a membership and fund raising drive going on.

Why do our members support MoBikeFed?

Here is one response, from MoBikeFed Treasurer Fred Schmidt:

As Missouri's statewide bicycle organizaiton, the Missouri Bicycle Federation does things that nobody else can. It works to preserve our rights to use the roads. It works with elected officials for legislation to make cycling safer and better. MoBikeFed represents cyclists at a variety of local, state and national organizations. For example, its executive director sits on the state's Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee. MoBikeFed has helped and will help with exciting events such as the new Tour of Missouri bicycle race. Quietly, with little fanfare, MoBikeFed contacts officials around the state and meets with them, to discuss and promote issues of importance to us. We see the big things -- Tour of Missouri, BikeMo, important legislation changes. But we often don't see the many little things -- the Jetton Ride (where MoBikeFed helped the house speaker put together a fitness ride, meeting many elected officials across the state), meeting with public officials to inform them of our concerns. MoBikeFed identifies who to talk with, establishes contact, meets, writes letters, makes phone calls, and so many other things that we cannot do for ourselves individually. That is why I support MoBikeFed.

MoBikeFed is at a critical juncture. Bicycling is no longer a fringe issue.

To meet the growing needs of Missouri's cycling community, MoBikeFed needs to transition from a rag-tag, all volunteer, skunkworks project to a professional organization that stands ready to initiate action and respond to problems and opportunities when they arise. I support it now, beyond what may be prudent given my own circumstances, precisely because this is such an important moment for MoBikeFed.

As of November 15th, we have raised $2481 of $15,000 needed to keep MBF financially stable and continue our programs like a lobbyist working on our behalf in the Missouri legislature in 2007. (Thanks to a generous private foundation, donations through January 31st will be matched dollar for dollar, up to a limit of $15,000.)

Since October 1st we have 112 new/renewing members and our goal is 250 by January 31st.

Join, renew, or donate here. Your generosity powers bicycle advocacy in Missouri. permanent link to article: "Why I support MoBikeFed"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/15/2006 10:02:00 PM |comment on this article