1st Annual MTB Lobby Day: Evergreen’s Successful Visit to Olympia
“We learned a lot,” said Karen Edgerton who attended Evergreen's First Mountain Bike Lobby Day with her 10-year-old daughter Catie, “not only did we get to spread some mountain biking love, but Catie learned a lot about the way our political system works. She's excited to go back and watch the legislature in session.”
Last Wednesday (February 4th), Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance members traveled to the state capitol to speak with legislators about the importance of mountain biking in Washington.
Constituents of all ages met directly with their district legislators (one senator and two representatives) to raise awareness of the economic, social, and health benefits of supporting recreation and funding mountain bike projects across the state.
Before meeting with legislators Lobby Day Participants were brought up to speed on important budget requests that would help fund mountain biking in the upcoming legislative session. Next they received training on the legislative process, what to expect in their meetings, and even how to find their way around the capitol campus.
Now, informed and trained, each member walked to the legislative campus to speak with district leaders. The meetings went extremely well, with very positive bipartisan support for mountain biking and overall excitement by officials that Evergreen members had traveled to Olympia to speak directly to them.
“It was a great civics lesson for Zane and I,” said Troy Casper and his son, Zane “We’re looking forward to next year.”
In total Evergreen members met with over 70 members from the state Senate and House of Representatives, and represented 24 districts statewide. Thank you to all the members who spent the day with us and helped to make Washington the best place to ride. We’ll see you at Lobby Day 2016 and in the meantime we'll continue to represent your needs in Olympia during the rest of the session!
