Why Advocacy

Advocacy is about being engaged, supporting a cause, and advancing positive change. Advocating for bicyclists and safe bicycling is one of VBF’s most important activities. VBF focuses on bicycling-related issues of statewide significance and partners with local and national organizations on these and other issues that impact bicycling.

Get Involved

Get involved and join VBF or a local or regional advocacy organization or consider providing financial support.  Your commitment to an advocacy organization lets local and state officials know about the importance of bicycling and bike safety to you and your community.

Active Prince William is a citizens’ group in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park that seeks more livable, equitable, and sustainable communities by advancing active mobility, public transportation, and healthy lifestyles.  Its monthly meetings are open to the public.

Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization that promotes walking and biking, and infrastructure and policy changes, within the city of Alexandria.  Its monthly meetings that are open to the public.

Bike Falls Church is a community organization in Falls Church, VA working on safer streets, bike infrastructure, and sustainability.

Bike Loudoun represents Loudoun County bicyclists of all abilities to promote a safe, secure, and convenient alternative transportation network of bikeways (lanes, shared use paths and dedicated trails).

Bike Norfolk promotes a bicycle-friendly city through awareness and education, improved infrastructure, and a strong cycling community that embraces people who cycle for fun, fitness, well-being, and as a mode of transportation.

Bike Walk RVA (a program of Sports Backers) is a Richmond organization whose mission is “inspiring people from all corners of our community to live actively.”  This includes advocating for bike and pedestrian infrastructure and organizing a variety of sporting events and fitness programs.

Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling is a volunteer-led organization working to make bicycling fun, safe and accessible for people of all ages in Fairfax County since 2005.

Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition is a coalition of people who believe that the bicycle is a tool to help build healthier, freer, more connected, stronger, more vibrant communities in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley region.

Washington Area Bicyclist Association has a 50-year history of successful advocacy in the D.C. region.  WABA members and supporters help to demonstrate the need for better bicycling in the District of Columbia; Montgomery, Prince George’s, Fairfax, and Arlington Counties; and the City of Alexandria.

Arlington County Bicycle Advisory Committee advises the County Manager on issues that affect cycling in Arlington, including safety, education, community involvement, awareness and promotion, and the development, operation and maintenance of on- and off-street bicycle transportation and recreation facilities.

City of Harrisonburg Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee is an advisory committee established by Transportation Safety & Advisory Commission (TSAC) in 2010 and facilitated by Public Works Department staff who work together with the subcommittee and other community stakeholders to identify needs and opportunities for making Harrisonburg more walk and bike-friendly.

Fairfax County Trails, Sidewalks and Bikeways Committee evaluates existing facilities for trails, sidewalks and bicycle routes and assists the county in producing maps of these facilities, and plans new facilities. Committee members also evaluate subdivision plans and site plans for trail facilities.

Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee (FAMPO BPAC) is composed of citizens, planners, advocacy groups and government staff. Its purpose is to advise the FAMPO Policy Committee and FAMPO staff on issues related to active transportation, such as walking, biking, and using a wheelchair, as well as skateboarding, e-scooters, hoverboards, and other forms of micromobility.

Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Active Transportation Subcommittee provides recommendations to the HRTPO Board on matters that concern the transportation planning and programming process within the Hampton Roads Region.

Historic Triangle Bicycle Advisory Committee is a regional body formed in 1993 by the James City County Board of Supervisors, the Williamsburg City Council, and the York County Board of Supervisors. It is composed of citizen appointees and staff from each of the three localities as well as the National Park Service, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and the College of William and Mary. The HTBAC is responsible for recommending bikeway projects for implementation in accordance with the adopted Regional Bikeways Plan; recommending amendments to the plan; and developing and implementing promotional, informational, and safety initiatives related to bicycling.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (NCRTPB) Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee, comprised of DC-area bicycle and pedestrian planners, provides advice and assistance to the TPB Technical Committee and is responsible for the update and evaluation of the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, as well as advising on the pedestrian and bicycle aspects of the long range transportation plan.  The group oversees the Street Smart pedestrian and bicycle safety campaign and facilitates technology transfer and information sharing, as it relates to state and local programs.

Prince William County Trails and Blueways Council is an advisory council established by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors to provide services for the development of trails and blueways in Prince William County.

Richmond Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee meets and plans for updates to the planning for active transportation network. The committee places a high priority on plans and projects that are focused on ensuring that the region is walkable, bikeable and interconnected, making it a vibrant place to be.

Town of Herndon Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee comprised of Town residents advises the Town Council on matters related to bicycle and pedestrian safety, quality of service, facilities and infrastructure, advocacy, and policy.

Town of Vienna Bicycle Advisory Committee serves as an advisory committee to the Town of Vienna’s Transportation Safety Commission (TSC) by providing citizen input in planning the bicycle transportation infrastructure improvements and in promoting bicycling initiatives within the Town of Vienna. The BAC reports directly to the TSC who then reviews any recommendations and reports to the Mayor and Town Council.

VDOT’s Hampton Roads Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee was established in 1989 as a forum for open communication and information exchange between the department, other state agencies, federal agencies, advocates, and citizens regarding bicycling opportunities across the commonwealth. Members of this committee meet periodically to discuss VDOT policies, standards and practices that affect the bicycling and walking community.

Virginia Beach Active Transportation Advisory Committee (VB-ATAC) advises Virginia Beach City Council on implementation and coordination of the Active Transportation Plan (ATP), coordinates the timely construction of active transportation facilities per ATP priorities, promotes a balanced approach between and among various users’ interests, and provides a forum for citizen and governmental input in the planning and programming of future active transportation facilities

Bike Arlington is a bicycling promotion program sponsored by Arlington County government that provides tools and resources to help you get around Arlington by bike with ease, including maps, routing assistance, bike share locations, bicycling education classes, and rides.

Bicycling in Alexandria is a bicycling promotion program sponsored the City of Alexandria government that provides information on bicycle infrastructure and bicycling educational classes.

Bike the Valley website encourages bicycling in the Central Shenandoah Valley.  It details on-and off-road cycling facilities in neighborhoods, communities, and provides a comprehensive list of scenic loop rides in each locality – including counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, and Rockingham; the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, and Waynesboro; and the eleven towns that lie between.

Commuter Connections, staffed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, is a regional network of transportation management organizations working to improve commutes in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  It coordinates Bike-to-Work Day (in May) and Car Free Day (in September), helps employers create bicycle-friendly worksites, and promotes a host of commuter programs for diverse commuters and employers. Their Guaranteed Ride Home program provides occasional FREE and reliable emergency trips home for bicycle commuters who register on their website.

Ride Solutions provides information on alternative transportation options – ridesharing (carpooling and vanpooling), biking, public transit, walking, and guaranteed ride home services – to residents living within the greater New River and Roanoke Valleys and Region 2000 regions of southwestern Virginia.

Phoenix Bikes, a 501(c)(3) youth mentoring program, educates youth in bicycle mechanics and leadership, promotes bicycling, sells refurbished bicycles, and works to build the Arlington County bicycling community.

Charlottesville Community Bikes is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) bicycle shop that operates to promote environmentally-sound transportation, recycle bicycles, and make cycling accessible in Charlottesville, VA.

Rags and Bones Bicycle Cooperative is a Richmond, VA area registered public charity providing near universal access to bicycle repair and technical knowledge, affordable bicycles and parts, and space within which to feel safe and welcome while learning and repairing.

Velocity Bicycle Cooperative was launched in May 2010 and received strong support from the DC cycling community, Alexandria neighborhoods, and the City of Alexandria, Virginia. It’s mission is to grow and empower a more inclusive biking community through affordability, education, and embracing the fun of riding.

American Bicycling Education Association (ABEA) – removes barriers to people riding bicycles by providing educational programs and resources for bicyclists, engineers, planners, law enforcement, educators, and the general public.  Its signature Cycling Savvy bicyclist education program empowers people to use their bikes to go anywhere they want, safely and confidently.  ABEA promotes a civil and cooperative environment on our roads through complementary education and infrastructure design, so communities become places where bicyclists are expected and respected as a normal part of traffic.

Adventure Cycling Association–inspires, empowers, and connects people to travel by bicycle.  Its many programs include establishing a robust, national network of well-mapped long-distance bicycle touring routes; advancing the U.S. Bicycle Route system; advocacy with Amtrak, airlines, and the National Park Service; guided and self-supported bicycle tours; and providing a wealth of diverse information and resources for bicycle travelers, including three different email newsletters and its award-winning Adventure Cyclist magazine.

Association for Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP)–is a community of practitioners working to create more walkable, bikeable places. They foster peer knowledge sharing, advance technical expertise, and support the professional development of its members.

Biking and Walking Alliance – the People Powered Movement seeks to provide the most accurate information regarding advocacy to increase bicycling and walking throughout the U.S. Our goal is to create, strengthen and unites state/province and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations.

East Coast Greenway Alliance is working to connect 15 states and 450 cities and towns for 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida and works with hundreds of volunteers, partner organizations, and officials at the local, state, regional and national level to continue moving more of the route onto protected paths.

International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) provides free online resources and easy-to-access information for the benefit of mountain bikers in the U.S. and around the globe. Search our collection of PDFs, videos, books and graphics to further your local mountain bike access and advocacy efforts.

League of American Bicyclists – Since 1880, the league has represented bicyclists in the movement to create safer roads, stronger communities, and a Bicycle Friendly America. Through education, advocacy and promotion, to celebrate and preserve the freedom cycling brings everywhere.

People for Bikes – Since 1999, PeopleForBikes has created a prominent place for bikes in transportation, mobility and recreation decisions at all levels of government. We ensure bikes are prioritized and positioned as a real solution to improve Americans’ health, connect communities, boost local and state economies, strengthen our nation and protect our planet.

Rails to Trails Conservancy since 1986, has worked with communities to preserve unused rail corridors by transforming them into rail trails within the United States of America. RTC’s purpose is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors.

Virginia Bike Trails

Maintaining a comprehensive listing of all Virginia bike trails would be a monumental task. Some local and regional directories are fairly complete and regularly updated, with useful maps, descriptions, driving directions, etc. So we are compiling a listing of these, along with some individual trails. This page is a work in progress. Please send updates and suggestions to webmaster@vabike.org

The Rails to Trails Conservancy maintains a regularly updated, comprehensive listing of rail-trails at their Traillink site. If your local trails are not listed, you can help RTC map them.

The Washington and Old Dominion Trail is a 45 mile long, 100’ wide park connecting much of northern Virginia; from Shirlington at the eastern end to Purcellville at the western, running through Vienna, Reston, Herndon, and Leesburg.

For information about trails close to the DC area, Arlington County has a trail directory at CommuterPage.com

Though it hasn’t been updated in awhile, Bike Washington’s trail directory is comprehensive and informative, with nice maps.

The High Bridge Trail runs through Cumberland, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties, and the towns of Burkeville, Farmville, Pamplin City, Prospect and Rice. As of June 2009, 26 of 34 miles have been completed.

Dan Casey’s Blue Ridge Biking Archive is one of the best guides to biking in southwest Virginia, on-road or off.

The mountain biking page at Roanoke Outside is excellent.

The Roanoke Valley Greenways are coming along nicely, and has an award-winning map.

The Huckleberry Trail runs 15 miles through Blacksburg, Virginia Tech, Montgomery County and Christiansburg. It serves as a connector with several off road trail systems including Coal Mining Heritage Park, McDonald Hollow Trail Network, Gateway Trail, Poverty Creek Trail System and other local systems.

Radford has a great trail network along the New River in Bisset Park, and up through Wildwood Park. These are great for family rides with small children. An unused railway trestle across the New River could someday give the Fairlawn neighborhood direct access to these parks and downtown.

The New River Trail runs 57 miles along the New River from Pulaski to Galax. A recently dedicated extension connects with downtown Pulaski.

The Virginia Creeper Trail is known all over the US and beyond, for its scenic beauty and unique all-downhill possibilities. A must-do for all cyclists! Novices can take a shuttle to the top of the hill, and ride downhill for 17 miles. Seasoned pedalers can ride both ways, uphill and down.

The Virginia Capital Trail will connect the past and present capitals of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Richmond, along the Scenic Route 5 corridor. As of spring 2008, 38 out of 55 miles are either completed, under construction, or in development. Governor Kaine hopes to have the trail completed by 2010. VDOT also maintains a guide to the Capital Trail.