Give Thanks for Bike-Ped Advocacy: Nominate a Leader for an Alliance Award!

Posted: 11/23/2011

As 2011 draws to a close, many of us are reflecting on the progress we’ve made this year. That progress is driven by individual leaders, advocacy organizations and business supporters working to transform their communities into better places to walk and bike.

Now is the time to show your gratitude for those who work so tirelessly to make our streets safer and more accessible for all.

The Alliance is now accepting nominations for our annual, national Advocacy Awards. Established in 2009, our awards program honors those who show exceptional leadership in advancing the bicycle and pedestrian movement. Categories for 2012 include:

Advocate of the Year
Advocacy Organization of the Year
Business Advocate of the Year
Winning Campaign of the Year
Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm Award

Anyone can make a nomination — you don’t have to be part of an Alliance member organization — and the quick, easy, online submission form takes just a few minutes.

Do you know someone who deserves national recognition for his or her efforts? Did your local advocacy organization start or win an innovative or high-impact campaign this year? What corporate or business champions have invested in better biking and walking in your community? If you’re like me, a dozen people and a handful of groups just popped into your head. Show your appreciation by taking just a few moments to nominate them for an Advocacy Award.

Nominations are evaluated by Alliance staff, board and advocacy organization representatives, and the winners get some high-profile recognition. Each year, we host our Advocacy Awards reception on the first night of the National Bike Summit — and a couple hundred advocacy and industry leaders turn out for the big announcement.

Fionnuala Quinn, the recipient of an advocacy award in 2011 on behalf of the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (pictured, left) said: “Much of the work that advocates do is behind the scenes, so it was very unexpected but really appreciated to get recognition for our project. When we had conceived of the project, we had hoped that the end result would be a tool that could be used by other advocates working with public agencies, but it ended up turning into much more for us. To then receive public recognition gave us a boost in continuing our on-going work as we try to improve facilities and conditions for cyclists in our area. Receiving the recognition also allowed us to connect with many more people working in other communities to achieve the same goals and allowed us to exchange ideas and learn from their work too. We are grateful for being part of that supportive network.”

Honor someone in your community: Nominations will be accepted until December 18. To submit your nomination, click here.