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Summit FAQs
The National Bike Summit brings together the full spectrum of people who care about bicycling, from shop owners to professional advocates, from dedicated racers to transportation commuters. No matter why or where you ride, the Summit is an exciting and rewarding experience to builds community and grows the movement.
“In my first trip to D.C., I was part of a win to help bicycling.”
You don't have to have experience lobbying or an advocacy background — just a passion for bicycling. We need your voice sharing your story of how biking benefits your community!
Learn more about the nuts and bolts in the FAQs below.
“Not long after I was heading out of the city, I received and email from Congressman Jim Gerlach’s staff person, Lauryn. She said ‘Just wanted to let you know that my boss agreed to sign that letter to DOT.’ One of our asks for the Congressman was to sign this letter — and he did. I may not have saved the world, but in my first trip to D.C., I was part of a win to help bicycling.”
—Joe Liston, 2013 participant
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Program Contact
Federal Advocacy
Caron Whitaker
VP, Government Relations
caron@bikeleague.org
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.
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)
Who attends the Summit?
Click here for a list of 2013 attendees
How do I register for the Summit?
Registration for the 2014 Summit will open in late 2013. Stay tuned!
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.
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 here.
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.
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.
How do I know what my congressional district is?
You can find out your congressional district by entering your zip code here.
Are there scholarships available for the Summit?
In the past, the NBDA has offered scholarships to bike shop owners who are first-time Summit attendees. In 2013, the League also offered Cycling Opportunity Grants, to provide registration scholarships for a limited number of participants who couldn't attend due to financial constraints. Stay tuned for info on 2014!
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.
What if I register and then have to cancel?
All cancellations are subject to a $50 administrative fee prior to February 4, 2014. There are no refunds after February 4, 2014. In the event that you need to cancel your registration, please call us at 202-822-1333 in order to process your change.
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.
Can I register on-site?
Yes!
Where is the Summit held?
Stay tuned for info on the 2014 Summit in late 2013.
I am trying to make my flight reservations. What time does the conference start/end?
Stay tuned for info on the 2014 Summit in late 2013.
Where should I stay? Are there any room blocks for Summit attendees?
Room blocks will be available at the conference hotel and other participating lodging. Stay tuned for more information for 2014.
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 the first two days at the conference hotel. When on the Hill during Lobby Day, 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.
Is there Internet access at the conference hotel?
Yes! We have heard that this is a major concern for attendees, so will be offering wifi.
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.
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 Caron 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.
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.
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.
How do I get to D.C.?
Washington, D.C. is accessible via three airports, as well as Amtrak and Metrorail. See below.
Airports
Washington’s Reagan National Airport
20-minute cab ride to the Renaissance and hotels
20-minute metro ride to the Renaissance and hotels
On the Mt. Vernon bike trail
Dulles International
50-minute cab ride to the Renaissance and hotels
Metro-accessible via bus to West Falls Church Metro Station
Washington Flyer bus service to downtown
Baltimore-Washington International
1-hour cab ride to the Renaissance and hotels
1-hour train ride to Union Station, additional metro or cab from Union Station to the Renaissance and hotels.
BWI often has the cheapest rates
Train
Amtrak
Amtrak has direct service into Union Station.
View Amtrak's bicycles on trains policy.
Metro
Visit www.wmata.com for a system map as well as information about taking your bike on Metro.
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.
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.
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 the conference site. 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
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 our 'connect locally' feature for a full listing of area bike shops.
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.
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.
Media Registration
All media must contact Carolyn Szczepanski, Director of Communications with appropriate press credentials and identification. National Bike Summit Media clearance is the ultimate, binding decision of the League of American Bicyclists. The League's media clearance or non-clearance is final and cannot be disputed.
Media Credentials
Business card (with individual's name and title and the name of an approved media outlet) and one of the following:
- The mast page from an approved media outlet with individual's name and title listed.
- A copy of or an Internet link to a current by-lined article published in an approved media outlet within the past six months.
Freelance writers and photographers
Please present a letter of assignment from an approved publication. Writers not on an assignment may provide a copy of an industry-relevant by-lined article, published within the past six months in an approved media outlet.
Electronic Media Representatives, including editors of websites and bloggers
Please provide links to an existing site and to relevant bylined editorial content.
Who Qualifies?
Editors, reporters, writers, television and radio producers, and broadcast/Internet reporters from approved media outlets will receive editorial press badges.
Publishers from approved media outlets will receive advertising press badges.
Who Does Not Qualify?
Public relations representatives; marketing, creative services, circulation and other employees of magazines, newspapers, television and radio stations and websites; writers and publishers of personal or corporate newsletters; and family members of qualified media are not eligible for press badges. Book author and blogger eligibility will be determined on case-by-case basis.
National Bike Summit Sessions
All National Bike Summit sessions are open to registered members of the media. Registered journalists must wear/display their official National Bike Summit press badge at all times while onsite at the meeting. Exchanging, loaning or borrowing of National Bike Summit press badges is strictly prohibited.
Camera Crews/Filming
Camera crews filming in onsite meeting areas, luncheons, events and receptions must make prior arrangements with Carolyn Szczepanski, League of American Bicyclists Director of Communications. Filming inside the sessions is prohibited unless special permission has been granted by Carolyn Szczepanski, League of American Bicyclists Director of Communications. Filming inside the exhibit area is prohibited unless prior arrangements have been made through Carolyn Szczepanski, League of American Bicyclists Director of Communications.
