Many people in the bicycling community know that one of the ways to support Bicycle Alliance’s work in education, safety, and advocacy is to join our membership. Your membership dues contribute to our ability to educate legislators about current issues impacting safety and quality of life for people riding bikes. In addition your involvement in our organization sends a message that there is power and influence in numbers. 
The larger our membership the more our voice is taken seriously by people who formulate policy, make laws, and decide where public money is spent.
A relatively new development is the Organizational Membership. Started in Spring 2012 it encourages companies and non-profit organizations with an affiliation or interest in bicycling to support our work. Most recently Zipcar, U.W. Transportation Services, Net Motion Wireless, Commute Seattle and Pyramid Communications have all joined our ranks.
Benefits are wide-ranging and include: recognition on the Bicycle Alliance website and in our Annual Report, a business profile spotlight on this blog, one time social media recognition on Facebook and Twitter, onsite training workshops for bicycle maintenance and safety, and representation in Washington bicycle-related legislative initiatives.
There’s a definite value to Organizational Membership. Just ask Billy Thompson, Marketing Manager of Zipcar in Seattle. “This affiliation will allow us to promote our relationship with some relevancy to our entire membership base, with e-newsletter inclusion and social media mentions throughout the year.” He added, “We can’t fight the battle for alternative transportation alone, and we’re excited to support [Washington Bikes] with more than just enthusiasm.”
If your business or non-profit wants to build strong support and infrastructure for people who ride bicycles, consider joining hands with Washington’s state’s first statewide advocacy organization. Contact Jack Hilovsky, Fund Development and Membership Manager, at (206)224-9252, x 306.
