League of American Bicyclists - League Cycling Advocate Workshop - Chicago

Overview

The League of American Bicyclists’ mission is to build a Bicycle-Friendly America for Everyone, improving lives and strengthening communities through bicycling. Our successes to date are thanks in part to the growing bike movement and a network of changemakers leading at the national, state, and local levels.

To achieve even more wins for better biking that benefit everyone, we must continue to grow this movement by empowering more people to be capable, effective, and confident leaders and advocates in their communities.

In support of this goal, the League is thrilled to announce that we will be bringing our Bike Advocacy Workshop for people to become certified as a League Cycling Advocate (LCA) to Chicago, IL, on Thursday, September 17, 2026. You can find more information about past LCA workshops on the League Cycling Advocate website. 

This event is generously co-sponsored by the Illinois Medical District Commission.

Who Should Attend?

The workshop is geared toward emerging leaders, advocates newly entering the bike movement, and anyone else interested in gaining League certification as a bike advocate. These advocacy workshops are open to anyone, but space is limited, and pre-registration is required. 

Workshop Content & Format

The workshop itself is a one-day, in-person event. Leading up to the workshop, all attendees will be expected to participate in self-directed readings, complete an exam based on pre-workshop materials, and attend at least one online League webinar in the month leading up to the workshop. The workshop comprises a full day of in-person training, a group ride, and a networking happy hour. Lunch will be provided.

The workshop will cover topics such as: the history of bike advocacy, how to get organized, effective political engagement, making the case, coalition building, policy basics, funding, storytelling, equity and mobility justice, and more. The content will be presented by local expert guest speakers and League staff. The one-day workshop will also involve group work, a happy hour for networking with other attendees, and an advocacy-themed bike ride.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will be equipped with the tools and training to implement the ideas, strategies, and practical applications in their communities that build the bike movement at the local level.

Brief Agenda:

• 8:30 am - Welcome and greetings from IMD Commission
• 9 am-12:30 pm - Classroom Presentations
• 12:30 pm-1:30 pm - Lunch (provided)
• 1:30-5 pm - Classroom Presentations, Wrap-Up, Certificate Handouts
• 5-8 pm - Advocacy Bike Ride & Networking Happy Hour

Local Hosts

The League is grateful to our local co-host, the Illinois Medical District Commission, for the workshop. They are “a healthcare innovation community located in the heart of Chicago,” and are “the oldest established medical district in the United States — and one of the largest and most diverse urban healthcare, educational, research and technology districts in the world. From the opening of Cook County Hospital in 1876, to the signing of the Medical Central District Act in 1941, to today, each passing generation has contributed to the rich history, development, and growth of this remarkable place.” We are thrilled to be hosting the workshop on their campus. 

We are getting additional support from the state-wide bike advocacy group Ride Illinois, which is a “grassroots, member-supported, nonprofit organization with a mission to make Illinois better through biking. [Their] work is focused on advocacy, education, and awareness for everyone who rides a bicycle in Illinois.”

Cost

The workshop cost is $100 + Individual League Membership (if you are not already an individual member), which includes lunch, the certification, and all printed materials associated with the workshop. All other meals (breakfast, dinners, and happy hours), and all travel and lodging will be at the expense of the attendee. There will be a limited number of partial scholarships available. Email [email protected] to learn more.

Registration/Requirements

Registration for the workshop will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. There will be a cap of 35 participants, and we will have a waitlist. All registrants are required to be current individual League members. Join the League or check your membership status here: https://bikeleague.org/join-now/

Registration is open until a month before the event starts, but refunds will be available until a month before the event too.

Workshop Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
• Time: 8:30 am - 8:00 pm
• Location: IMD Commission 2100 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612
• Cost: $100 + Individual League Membership (if you are not already an individual member)

Questions

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Thank you to General Motors for supporting this work, to the Illinois Medical District Commission for co-sponsoring this event and to Ride Illinois for also supporting this endeavor. 

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