Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition

Often a letter from an organization with name recognition and a large membership will have more influence than a letter from an individual. If you would like SVBC to send a letter on a specific issue of concern to you, please follow the procedure below.

1. Use the contact form on the website to alert a board member that you will be sending a letter. Provide as much advance warning ahead of any deadlines as possible and tell the board member the deadlines.
2. Draft the letter by yourself or with a group of like-minded advocates. A small group often has constructive suggestions that make for a well-crafted letter.

   Effective letters should be brief—no more than one page. They should be addressed to people who have the authority to set direction or make decisions and copied to people who may have to implement those decisions, such as a city council, planning commission, or director of public works. They should make two or three points at the most. Letters should be forceful, but respectful, too. They should have the tone of someone making reasonable requests with the expectation that the requested changes will be made.

3. Email the letter to a board member. Provide email distribution list of addresses for all primary recipients (to:), copies (cc:), and blind copies (bcc:). Include yourself in the bcc: list.
4. The board member will review the letter and may make editorial changes. If you prefer, you may indicate that no changes should be made without your approval. If the board member determines that the letter is on controversial topic, or in an area where SVBC does not have a stated policy, the issue may have to go to the full SVBC board for approval.
5. Assuming that the letter meets these requirements, the letter will be printed on SVBC letterhead, signed by the Executive Director, and sent out via email and US mail.