Bike Summit FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Information on Previous Summits

What has been achieved at past Summits?
Who have been previous keynote speakers?
Who have been previous special guests?

Registration

How do I register for the Summit?
How do I get the member discount?
My organization or club is a member of the League but I’m not, do I get the member rate?
How do I find out what my membership number is?
Is it possible to register for just one day of the Summit?
How do I know what my congressional district is?
Are there scholarships available for the Summit?
How can I be sure that you received my registration?
What if I register and then have to cancel?
I can no longer attend the Summit. Is it possible to transfer my registration over to someone else?
Can I register onsite?

Conference Logistics

Where is the Summit held?
I’m trying to book my flight reservations. What time does the conference start/end?
Where should I stay? Are there any room blocks for Summit attendees?
What is the dress code for the Summit?
Is there Internet access at the Renaissance?
Do I need to schedule my own Congressional meetings?
Do I need to know the issues in advance?
Do I need to follow up after my Congressional meetings?
Where can I park my bike on the Hill? Downtown?
Is my Senator or Representative in the Congressional Bike Caucus?

Washington, D.C.

How do I get to D.C?
How do I get around D.C.?
Where can I find a D.C. bike map?
Where can I rent a bike for the week/weekend?
Where can I find a bike shop in D.C.?
What else is going on in D.C. that week?
Where can I get a bite to eat?
Will I have time to visit the monuments and museums around the Mall?

 

What have past Summits achieved?
We have established the Senate Bike Caucus and encouraged more than 200 House members to join Congressional Bike Caucus. We have visited to more than 350 House offices and more than 90 Senate offices annually, and introduced laws such as the Bicycle Commuter Act. In 2012, we kept funding for bicycling -- although at lower levels -- in the new transportation bill.
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Who have been previous keynote speakers?
• Denmark's Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen
• Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood
• Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
• NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan
• Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN)
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How do I register for the Summit?
Just click here! Please note that the early bird rate runs through January 21, 2013. Registration will remain open until February 28, 2013. If you do not register by that date, you can register on-site.
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How do I get the member discount?
In order to receive the member discount you must be a current League member. In order to join the League or to renew your membership, please visit the join or renew page.
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My organization or club is a member of the League but I’m not, do I get the member rate?
Each club or organization that is an affiliated member of the League can register two Summit attendees at the special member rate. You can affiliate your club or organization at http://www.bikeleague.org/join/affiliate.php.
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How do I find my membership number?
Your member number is listed on your membership card or copy of American Bicyclist magazine. If you have questions regarding your membership status, please call us at (202) 822-1333, and we will be glad to assist you.
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Is it possible to register for just one day of the Summit?
One-day registrations are accepted for the National Bike Summit. Just go to the registration page and select the registration type "One Day." You will then be asked which day it is that you would like to attend.
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How do I know what my congressional district is?
You can find out your congressional district by entering your zip code here.
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Are there scholarships available for the Summit?
NBDA is offering scholarships to shop owners who are first-time Summit attendees. You can apply here!
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How can I be sure that you received my registration?
Once we receive your paid registration, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive an email, please do not hesitate to contact us at 202-822-1333 or email bikeleague@bikeleague.org.
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What if I register and then have to cancel?
All cancellations are subject to a $50 administrative fee prior to February 4, 2012. There are no refunds after February 4, 2012. In the event that you need to cancel your registration, please call us at 202-822-1333 in order to process your change.
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I can no longer attend the Summit. Is it possible to transfer my registration over to someone else?
If you register and then realize that you can no longer attend, you may transfer your registration over to another individual. All you need to do to make this change is call our office and we will be happy to take care of it for you.
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Can I register on-site?
Yes!
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Where is the Summit held?
This year's Summit will be held at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel. It is located at 999 Ninth St NW, Washington, DC 20001.
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I am trying to make my flight reservations. What time does the conference start/end?
For those of you trying to determine when to arrive, the conference program officially begins on Monday, March 4 around 5:00 p.m., and ends on Thursday, March 7 at noon. Thursday morning is the National Bike Summit Bike Ride, so if need be you can miss Thursday and not miss any formal Summit programming.
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Where should I stay? Are there any room blocks for Summit attendees?
Room blocks have been made available at the Renaissance and at the Holiday Inn. For information on these and other alternatives, visit the travel info page.
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What is the dress code for the Summit?
When packing for the Summit please remember that you will be in Washington where people tend to dress more conservatively than most places. With that in mind, acceptable dress includes business casual for Monday and Tuesday, our days at the Renaissance. When on the Hill on Wednesday, you must remember that you will be meeting with Senators and Representatives and their staff. The only appropriate dress for this day is business attire.
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Is there Internet access at the Renaissance?
Yes! We have heard that this is a major concern for attendees, so will be offering wifi.
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Do I need to schedule my own Congressional meetings?
You will not need to make your own meetings. League staff and vollunteer state coordinators are hard at work coordinating the scheduling of appointments.
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Do I need to know the issues in advance?
Knowing the issues in advance is the key to successful meetings. Issue training will be provided via webinars prior to arriving in D.C. and again on Tuesday afternoon at the Summit. E-mail Katie if you need information and/or to sign-up for the webinars. You’ll also have the chance to coordinate your message with others from your state.
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Do I need to follow up after my Congressional meetings?
Please report back using our feedback forms. This will help inform our future meetings with your Senators and Representatives.
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Where can I park my bike on the Hill? Downtown?
The Capitol Hill police will not permit locking your bicycle anywhere on the Hill except at designated bike racks. They can be found in front of the Rayburn building.

Bicycle parking in downtown D.C. is easier: You are allowed to lock your bike to any pole, as long as you don't impede traffic or pedestrians. There are also bike racks, and you can lock to any parking meter. It is illegal to park within 25 feet of an intersection or in a bus stop. We don't recommend "lean locking" or affixing your bike to an unstable object. It is best to bring two locks or two types of locks if your bike will be outside for any length of time. Secure both wheels, your saddle and seat post, and never leave a bicycle outside over night.
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Is my Senator or Representative in the Congressional Bike Caucus?
See the list.
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How do I get to D.C.?
Washington, D.C. is accessible via three airports. For information on the airports and other ways of arriving, please visit our travel page.
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How do I get around D.C.?
Washington has an excellent public transportation system that is relatively bike-accessible. All buses in Washington are equipped with bike racks allowing for excellent Bike-'N-Ride access. In addition, bicycles are permitted on Metrorail (limited to two bicycles per car) weekdays except 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Bicycles are permitted all day Saturday and Sunday, as well as most holidays (limited to four bicycles per car). To learn about the Metro, visit www.wmata.com. There you will find a map as well as information about taking bikes on Metro.

Also, Capital Bikeshare is an easy way to travel around town. Docks with instructions are throughout the city -- visit capitalbikeshare.com to learn more.
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Where can I find a D.C. bike map?
DDOT has several bike maps available to introduce you to the District’s extensive bicycle network of cycle tracks, new Capital Bikeshare stations, bike lanes, bike routes, trails and safety information. Bike trail maps for D.C. and the surrounding area are available here.
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Where can I rent a bike for the week/weekend?
Bike the Sites offers daily rentals, which is a great option if you need to rent a bike for the National Bike Summit Bike Ride. Capital Bike Share  is a great option if you are looking for a bike to ride from place to place, but not for a long ride.

Capital Bikeshare will have additional corrals at its regular station at H and 8th  Streets (just two blocks from the Summit hotel). Pick up a CaBi at any location in the city and ride it to the Summit — without having to worry about the bike docks being full.

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Where can I find a bike shop in D.C.?
Regardless of where you stay in the city or beyond, a bike shop is never far away. Use the Find It feature on the League Web site for a full listing of area bike shops.
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What else is going on in D.C. that week?
A full listing of cultural and non-Summit related events can be found in the Washington Post's Entertainment Guide, the Cultural Tourism DC events page and the DC Chamber of Commerce Web site.
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Will I have time to visit the monuments and museums around the Mall?
Although there is no specific time in the schedule set aside for touring we highly encourage you to check out the sites while you are in Washington. The Smithsonian museums are well within walking distance of the International Trade Center, the Hilton Garden Inn, the J.W. Marriot, as well as the Capitol Building.

If you have space between Hill meetings on Thursday you could always visit the nearby National Gallery of Art, the Botanical Garden Conservatory or the National Museum of the American Indian.

In addition, the Washington Tourmobile offers a Washington-by-night tour so you can fit sightseeing in after your action-packed conference days. Another great touring option is offered by Bike the Sites. Call them to tour this Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community, and the home of the League of American Bicyclists, by bike.
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