DC Bike Summit/Lobbying event info

The annual League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit takes
place this week. For those interested in our evil agenda, info can be
found here - http://chainreaction.com/images/issue_papers-09-sm3.pdf

This is the 4th time I've been to DC for this event. For those who have
never been to DC and visited the offices of those who decide how to
spend the money you give them, it's an eye-opening adventure. They *do*
pay attention to what their constituents tell them. You *do* make a
difference. Don't write off the system without trying to work it a bit
yourself. Our system isn't perfect, but it's probably the best thing out
there.

Please note that the lion's share of advoacy work is done by unpaid
volunteers, not the bicycle industry. There will be maybe 50 dealers
this year (a record), another 30 people from manufacturers &
distributors, and 300+ unpaid folk who really believe in cycling. They
do an incredible job! Those of us in business owe them a huge debt for
their hard work. I wish more bicycle retailers could recognize that they
won't have a business 10 years from now if America is a bad place to
ride bikes, and the only way to change things for the better is to make
a difference... in your community, state and country.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA