Walking Advocates

How Advocates can Change Transportation Policy

The key to changing transportation policy and planning is to learn your community’s decision-making process and then effectively insert yourself into that process. In this section we’ve provided some information about the federal-level framework for transportation policy and planning, along with samples of letters written by local pedestrian advocacy groups and public testimony.

Using the media to get attention to your issues is another way to effect change. This section also includes information on writing news releases.

How Advocates can Change Transportation Policy (pdf)

Contents:

Transportation Policy and Planning Framework

Sample short letter

Sample letter with very detailed comments

Sample letter of support for another organization

Sample public testimony

Sample “white paper”

Working with the media

Sample news release

Sample opinion piece

Speaking in public

What Makes Politicians Jump?

More opinion pieces