One Less Car :: What We Do : Advocacy : State Agencies

Pointers For Contacting Your State Delegate or Senator

1. As a broad generalization, letters (snail mail) carry more weight than phone calls; phone calls carry more weight than e-mail; e-mail is good, but ensure that it is personalized -- legislators' staff can identify the prepackaged "click and send" stuff instantly and it doesn't carry all that much weight. Personalized communication is pure gold.

2. Keep it brief; the legislators and their staff are extremely busy during the session. Two or three paragraphs is sufficient. Just let them know why it is important to you and ask, specifically, that they join the Bike/Ped Caucus. If you can provide them with a concrete example of a bike/ped issue in your district or a short story about a bike/ped issue in your life, that's terrific.

Here's a sample letter, but please *personalize* yours! Mention the name of a local school, store, or whatever. Then they'll know it's not just "spam."

I'm writing to you today to ask you to join the Bicycle/Pedestrian Caucus that is currently being formed in the General Assembly. Delegate Menes, Delegate Frush, and Delegate Moe have sent a letter urging such a caucus and I and my family sincerely hope that you will join them.

My children go to XXXX School and although they sometimes walk, it's a dangerous trip because of the lack of sidewalks. Additionally, I frequently use my bicycle to go to Joe's Hardware, XXXX Branch Library, (you get the idea -- use local places) and other local destinations and I continue to see many areas where bicycle access could be improved, making the roads safer for bicyclists and motorists alike.

I believe that with your help we can have a strong Bike/Ped Caucus that really helps not just our district, but all of Maryland. If you've already joined the Caucus, then thank you very much, and if you haven't yet, then I ask you to please consider joining this very worthwhile group.

Thank you for your time and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Sally Citizen
123 Whatta Road
Mytown, MD 22222

3. Go to www.onelesscar.org and click on "MD Gen Assembly" to find your legislators' address and phone number. If you need to find out who your delegates and senator are go to www.onelesscar.org, click on links, and click on "Find Your General Assembly Representatives."

4. If they join the Caucus (and we'll try to get the list on our website as soon as possible) then send them a thank you note. So many people ask things of their legislators but very few ever bother to thank them. Bicyclists and walkers are special people, and by sending a thank you note we'll be reinforcing that.

Thank you so much for your help. Please don't delay -- contact your representatives while you're thinking about it. If there is anything at all we at One Less Car can do to help you, please feel free to contact us at 410-235-3678. We are working for you!

Peter Olsen
One Less Car - Maryland Campaign for Bicycling & Walking
PO Box 1870
Pasadena, MD 21123
Phone: 410-235-3678