National Advocacy Groups
Organizations Serving the Entire Country
Get to know these great national advocates!
To be a true “Alliance” we know we can’t do everything on our own. So we’re proud of the partnerships we have with many great national organizations and also want to highlight the important works of other national champions working hard to make the walking, biking and outdoor world a better place for everyone.
National Organizations who walk the walk & bike the bike
League of American Bicyclists (LAB)
One of the first things that BikeMN did when it formed was make the decision to partner with the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) on their Smart Cycling, Bicycle Friendly America, and Advocacy programs. BikeMN uses their curriculum and certifies League Cycling Instructors to help with both adult and children’s education. See our Community Engagement page for more Bicycle Friendly information and our Current Issues page for what BikeMN is working on with LAB. LAB also hosts the National Bike Summit that BikeMN staff and supporters attend annually.
Safe Routes Partnership
The Safe Routes Partnership is a resource to BikeMN’s Walk! Bike! Fun! Elementary school safety curriculum program and for local schools. They also host the Safe Routes to School National Conference that BikeMN staff has attended and presented at. The Partnership is also very engaged with safe routes and transportation funding and policy issues with Congress and works very closely with LAB and People for Bikes.
PeopleForBikes
People for Bikes has also been a BikeMN partner from the beginning by providing grant funds and being one of the leading advocates at the national level. Their mission, to get more people riding bikes more often and to make bike riding better for everyone overlaps with BikeMN’s mission and guides our work. They provide local grants, conduct research, support state level legislation and advocacy work, and they also have a community ranking program. People for Bikes works very closely with the bicycle industry.
Rails to Trails Conservancy
Since 1986 the Rails to Trails Conservancy has been working to build a nation connected by trails working to reimagine public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. They are very involved in making sure that trails are eligible for funding in each reauthorization of the national transportation program, including working closely with the late Minnesota Member of Congress Jim Oberstar on the first reauthorization to include significant funding for trails in the early 1990’s.
Adventure Cycling
BikeMN has also partnered with Adventure Cycling Association from our beginning. They manage and advocate for the National Bike Route system and worked closely with BikeMN, MnDOT, and others to help plan and implement the Mississippi River Trail and North Star Bicycle Route. They work to inspire, empower, and connect a growing community of bicycle travelers and are, dues paying membership wise, the largest national organization. They provide maps and information on bicycle travel, lead rides, and also advocate at the state and national levels.
International Mountain Bike Association
The International Mountain Bicycling Association works to create, enhance, and protect great places to ride mountain bikes. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trail work participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, grassroots advocacy and innovative trail management solutions. BikeMN works with IMBA to support many of the great places to go mountain biking in Minnesota.
All Bodies On Bikes
All Bodies on Bikes is a movement to create and foster a size inclusive bike community.
All Bodies on Bikes hosts social bike rides where everyone is welcome to move their bodies joyfully at a pace that is comfortable and safe for them.
Join us in our efforts – all are welcome.
America Walks
America Walks is leading the way in advancing walkable, equitable, connected, and accessible places in every community across the U.S. We are the national voice for public spaces that allow people to safely walk and move. At the regional, state, and neighborhood levels, America Walks provides critical strategic support, training, and technical assistance to partner organizations and individuals to effectively advocate for change.
Bike & Build
Bike & Build engages young adults in service-oriented cycling trips to raise awareness for the affordable housing cause. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that fosters a sustained connection to community. We advocate for the need for affordable housing in thousands of communities across the country.
Complete Streets Coalition
A Complete Streets approach integrates people and place in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of our transportation networks. This helps to ensure streets put safety over speed, balance the needs of different modes, and support local land uses, economies, cultures, and natural environments.
The National Complete Streets Coalition, which launched this movement in 2004, promotes the development and implementation of Complete Streets policies and professional practices.
Climate Ride
Climate Ride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that mobilizes people to protect our planet through life–changing adventures. We organize charitable biking, running, and hiking events to raise awareness and support sustainability, active transportation, and environmental causes. Visit our events page for more information on the latest event offerings.
Transportation for America
Transportation for America advocates for a new plan for transportation beyond “spend more money.” Their three simple guiding principles, prioritize maintenance, design for safety over speed, and connect people to jobs and services are concrete, measurable, and have outcomes attached. T4A works with communities, organizations, and people at all levels to support inclusion of these principles and ensure that transit, biking, and walking are a major part of transportation funding and policy.
Black Girls Do Bike
BGDB’s interest is in growing and supporting a community of women of color who share a passion for cycling. They champion efforts to introduce the joy of cycling to all women, but especially, women and girls of color.
Melanin Base Camp
Increasing the visibility of outdoorsy black, indigenous, people of color, representation in the media, and in the stories they tell about the Outdoors.
Whether you bike, climb, hike, or paddle, Melanin Base Camp is your own home too. Join us as we work together to increase representation and opportunities for people of color in outdoor adventure sports. #diversifyoutdoors!
Bikepacking Roots
Bikepacking Roots supports and advances bikepacking, the growth of a diverse bikepacking community, and access to and the conservation of the landscapes and public lands through which we ride.
Midwest Dirt Legion
Midwest Dirt Legion strives to create authentic and inclusive spaces for cisgender women, transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming folks in the cycling community.Learn More
Diversify Outdoors
We are a coalition of social media influencers – bloggers, athletes, activists, and entrepreneurs – who share the goal of promoting diversity in outdoor spaces where people of color, LGBTQIA, and other diverse identities have historically been underrepresented. We are passionate about promoting equity and access to the outdoors for all, that includes being body positive and celebrating people of all skill levels and abilities.
Radical Adventure Riders
Founded in 2017, Radical Adventure Riders (RAR) mission is moving towards enhancing gender inclusivity and racial equity in the bicycle and outdoor adventure scene. RAR does this by providing connection, education, resources, and support for the community and industry.