Our mission has always been to get more people on bikes, and it is our responsibility to include all types of riders in that mission: bike commuters, families with children, women, club riders, LGBTQ+, racial and ethnic minorities, and others. Under our current bylaws, the Bicycle Coalition’s Board of Directors consists of elected Board Members and ex-officio Board Members. While elected members are nominated and voted on by members of the Coalition to serve two-year terms, ex-officio members are appointed by member organizations without input or consent by the Coalition Board or it's members. By insisting upon more democratically elected seats on our board, we are opening the opportunity for more members of diverse communities to have a seat at the table and guide the Coalition in representing the needs of all people who ride bikes. A more representative Board is better able to advocate for bike investments in all communities, especially those that have historically seen less investment. More people riding bikes for all kinds of reasons elevates our voice with decision-makers and makes our needs harder to ignore. |
