Use your issue’s special powers when you advocate
Whether it’s cargo bikes, bus-lanes, or pedestrian plazas- tie the theme into your advocacy
Your effort to make the world a better place is not a generic effort. It is tied to who you are as the unique person that you are, what you want from the world, the specific thing you are advocating for and the unique context you are operating in. Embrace it and stunt off of that to make your advocacy stronger.
Next month, I’m partnering with “Cargo Bike Momma Maddy” to do a free training on how to do this as it relates to cargo bikes (learn more and register here), but I want to talk about why it matters.
Themes strengthen narrative. Narrative is a powerful tool to help people learn and remember something and that is a key part to building momentum for your campaign. One of the biggest questions advocates have to deal with is “why? Tie your theme into your advocacy and you will help preempt the “why” by answering it with your advocacy. If you are campaigning for a new rail line and saying it will help promote tourism– partner with the tourism people and do events at the tourist destinations. As transportation advocates, we have a TON of options for ways to do this. Do the anti-freeway rally at the building that’ll be knocked down for the freeway. Pass out flyers about funding the bus while at bus stops. Embrace the theme and it becomes clearer why you are doing what you are doing.
Your specific issue has inherent costs that your opponents will highlight, embracing the special powers of your issue will blunt those attacks. For example, your bike or bus lane might involve some parking getting removed. You cannot hide that though you can contextualize it to shrink it (e.g. there will be x parking spots within 1 block of the project). What you can do is amplify the benefits to make it clear that they outweigh the costs. If your bus lane shaves off 15 minutes of someone’s commute, embracing that does not just mean saying it– it means make 15 minutes feel tangible and important to everyone. Provide context either through statements or actions. How much quality time do parents spend with their kids each day and what does 15 more minutes of extra family time mean to them? Or create an experience that helps people viscerally understand it. If cutting 15 minutes off a bus commute means parents are able to spend that time reading to their kids, maybe create bundles of 15 minutes worth of children’ books and use them as a campaign visual.
It’s fun! Fun is inherently good. It is also a powerful political tool. No matter what you are organizing for, when you are organizing you are always competing for attention. Attention from the public, media, decision makers, your fellow volunteers and also even yourself. Your issue is of course unique, important and deserving of your attention and the attention of everyone else— and the world is filled with issues like that. The need is practically infinite but time, energy and ability to act on passion isn’t. Make your advocacy fun or uplifting and you will have an easier time staying engaged and getting others to do the same.
A word of warning. It is possible to go a bit overboard on the theme so that it becomes cheesy or seem inauthentic. As long as it is tactful and well-executed you should be ok. But if you are planning on doing something that is a lot more “out there” than typical, it’s always good to do a reality check with your fellow organizers or friends. Generally though, in transportation advocacy it’s better to do too much than too little so go for it!
Looking for support to win transportation changes in your community? I’m here to help! Whether you want a 1-on-1 training session or a group workshop, let’s talk. Email me at Carter@carterlavin.com to set something up. Here’s a bit about what training sessions are like.
Free upcoming online events
3/20 @ 5:30pm PT— Free training: "A beginner's guide to building pro-transit & bike political power."
**NEW** 4/23/24 @ 5:30pm PT - Free Online Training “How to use cargo bikes to improve your life and how to use them to win protected bike lanes.” With special co-host, “Cargo Bike Momma” Maddy Novich!
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Interested in sponsoring the training of an activist working on an issue you’re passionate about? Let’s chat. Carter@carterlavin.com