In October, PeopleForBikes hosted a virtual advocacy training for more than 100 National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) coaches and league directors, providing the passionate leaders with the practical tools to help expand safe, connected biking opportunities in their communities. Nationwide, NICA supports more than 25,000 student-athletes in grades 5–12 across 1,000 teams and 32 leagues. Its 15,000 volunteer coaches play a key role in helping young riders build skills, confidence, and lifelong habits through the sport of mountain biking.

In the training, participants explored the core steps of local bike advocacy: pinpointing community needs, understanding decision-making processes, selecting effective tactics, communicating clearly, and building strong local coalitions. These lessons helped the coaches and league directors channel their passion for youth cycling into creating more connected bike networks in their communities, which will in turn help kids and families safely “ride to the ride” and more easily access local trails, practice areas, and race venues.

“The only way that we can truly get more kids on bikes is to have more places to ride bikes safely,” says Mike McGarry, NICA’s director of coaching and education. “NICA coaches are incredibly passionate about helping kids grow through cycling. What they need more of are safe places to ride with their athletes and safe routes to get there. This training helped them understand where to focus their efforts and how to speak the language of advocacy so their time has the greatest impact.”

Improving local bike infrastructure not only supports NICA’s mission, but also broadens participation.

“Families don’t always have the ability to transport bikes to and from practice. This is a real burden for families that are new to cycling,” McGarry says. “Teams that can safely pedal to mountain bike trails see more participation than teams that have to drive to every practice. With better infrastructure, more kids and families can join the fun — not just those who already have the resources to transport bikes or travel long distances.”

By equipping NICA’s national network of coaches and league directors with advocacy tools, PeopleForBikes is helping create safer, stronger, and more connected biking communities — places where youth cycling can continue to thrive for generations to come.

To learn more about advocating for safer streets and creating more great places to ride in your community, explore PeopleForBikes’ Guide to Effective Local Bike Advocacy.