Every year, hundreds of cycling advocates gather in Washington, DC for the National Bike Summit. It’s always a high point of my year: meeting advocates, learning new things, grooving on momentum and good energy. This year, Streetsblog and Streetfilms are kicking off the Bike Summit with a couple of exciting activities we hope you’ll join us for.

(Note: if you’re not going to the Summit, read on — both of these events are open to you!)

The Summit formally begins Monday, March 3 with the National Women’s Bike Forum, but we’re revving things up a little early. Join us Sunday, March 2 for:

Media Training (4:00 – 7:00 p.m.): Reporters want to help you tell the story of the new bike lane that increased ridership in your area, the state rep who reneged on a promise to vote for a street safety bill, or the need for traffic calming in your neighborhood — but you need to know how to work with them. We’ll start the training with a panel of journalists teaching you the ins and outs of press outreach. Then Streetfilms and others will take over with a panel on how to make your own media! Overwhelming response has already forced the League to reserve a larger room for this event, so there’s plenty of room for you — whether or not you’re registered for the Summit itself. Register here. At the Summit hotel, Renaissance DC (999 9th St. NW). Free. 

Streetsblog party! (7:00 – 9:00 p.m.): We love meeting our readers and bringing together our online community in real life. We’ll be hanging out post-media training at RFD (Regional Food & Drink) in the back bar. We’ll provide some yummy appetizers, and RFD’s full menu of entrees is available if you’ve worked up a serious appetite. RSVP here. RFD back bar, 810 7th St. NW (two blocks from the Summit hotel). $10 at the door gets you a free drink.