Since 2024, the League of American Bicyclists has been offering advocacy workshops for people to become certified as a League Cycling Advocate (LCA).
These workshops take place twice a year in different locations throughout the country. In June 2026 the training came to Northern California for the first time ever, held at our Bike East Bay office in Oakland.
Twenty-three attendees came from around the Bay Area, state, and country to network, share their knowledge and lived experiences, and learn about powerful advocacy strategies.
The League’s Bicycle Friendly America Program Specialist Anna Tang led the event, and shared the following about her experience:
“The Bay Area is quite a special place in the history of social justice, and holding a bike advocacy workshop in the area felt like a tiny contribution to the continuation of this history, and introducing it to a new group of activists.
Additionally, the guest speakers provided invaluable knowledge for the attendees in an approachable way that also spelled out the complexities, strategies, and ways to tackle the inside/outside game that advocates have to learn to navigate.
I also see Oakland as a leader in both the bike advocacy space and the infrastructure world, so being able to introduce the attendees to both of these aspects made this location and workshop extremely memorable.
The workshop itself was very energetic, interactive, and dynamic. I’m always so inspired by the guest speaker’s information and encouragement, as well as hearing the questions and insights from the participants“.
Topics and presenters
The curriculum was presented by a star-studded lineup of local activists:
- How to Get Organized / Working with Partners in Your Community – Carter Lavin
- Equity and Mobility Justice – Maria “Downhill Diva”
- Funding Fundamentals: Engaging with Your Local Budget – Robert Prinz
- How to Make the Case – Data and Beyond – George Spies
- Policy Basics – Warren Logan
- Effective Political Engagement – Talking To Your Decision-Makers – Dave Snyder
Attendees ended the day with a guided bike infrastructure tour around Oakland’s gorgeous Lake Merritt, followed by dinner and drinks.
Anna Tang pointed out:
“These workshops are meant to be a starting point with ripple effects for years to come.
Even if someone thinks that what they’re doing is a small thing, it really makes a big difference.
For example, one person going on a bike ride, standing up at a public meeting, writing an article, a letter to the editor, or a thank you note to a council person, has a lasting and meaningful impact.
I hope that participants take that away from this workshop – incremental work, with the right people and integrity, can make a big change“.
