The short version of what I want all U.S. bicycle users to do is this: Tweet an invitation to all or just your preferred presidential candidate to go for a bike ride with you using the hashtag #BikeWithTheNextPresident. If you get to go on a bike ride with the candidate, tweet the image. If you’re a presidential candidate, tweet the image. If you’re media, broadcast the image. If you're Stephen Colbert, I could use your help spreading the word. That is all. Long version below.
A Stamford mayoral candidate, myself, and a reporter waiting at a stop sign at a Cycling With Candidates ride.
We’re asking smart, educated people who may one day lead the United States about their hair.
We’re seeing breathless news stories - news stories that were produced by people with jobs - about how Candidate A is ahead of Candidate B by 5% in the latest poll that has a margin of error...of 7.4%.
The coverage of the presidential race is so bad that most people probably can’t name more than five presidential candidates. Even more chilling: most have never seen these candidates go biking on the campaign trail.
That’s going to change.
Republican Michael Fedele greeting a Stamford voter minutes before the first Cycling with Candidates ride in 2013
When I did Cycling With Candidates a couple of years back I wrote about how cycling, as an activity, knows no political party. We’ll differ on what needs building, where stuff needs to be built and how to pay for it, but sitting on a saddle and pressing down on a pedal is a joyful thing to do - and a good way to get around a city - no matter how you vote.
So I invited - via Twitter - all sixteen Republicans and all five Democrats to go for a bike ride.I want you to do the same (with all of them or just your favorite) using the hashtag #BikeWithTheNextPresident.
My feeling is if enough people ask the candidates to go for a bike ride they are going to do so - and will tweet an image of the activity to all of their followers. And the rules of the original Cycling With Candidates applies: absolutely no mocking anyone’s attire, choice of equipment, or confidence level.
These are the actual tweets I sent to the candidates in random order. The invites are real and I’d be happy to ride with any of them in Silicon Valley at anytime (preferred meet up spot is at Good Karma Bikes in San Jose so the candidate can help them pack for their move or buy a bike from them).
If they don’t ride with me I’ll repost responses from their campaigns (if any) and links to pictures and videos of them on bikes if I get them:
Democrats
Jim Webb
Twitter: @jimwebbusa
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @JimWebbUSA I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident.The State of the Union is we need to see more leaders on #bikes #cycling
Martin O’Malley
Twitter: @martinomalley
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @MartinOMalley I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. Urge your opponents to join you without debate. #bikes #cycling
Hillary Clinton
Twitter: @HillaryClinton
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @HillaryClinton I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. Don't use the email server behind the grassy knoll to respond. #bikes #cycling
Bernie Sanders
Twitter: @BernieSanders
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @BernieSanders I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. It doesn't have to be a long ride; we can stop when we #FeelTheBern. #bikes #cycling
Lincoln Chafee
Twitter: @lincolnchafee
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @LincolnChafee I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. We can ride 1 mile. Or 1.6 kilometers if you prefer. #bikes #cycling
Republicans
Donald Trump
Twitter: @RealDonaldTrump
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @realDonaldTrump I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. If you want you can wear a helmet w/ #MakeAmericaGreatAgain on it. #bikes #cycling
Bobby Jindal
Twitter: @BobbyJindal
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @BobbyJindal I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. Knowing how to ride a #bike is a pre-existing condition. #bikes #cycling
Scott Walker
Twitter: @ScottWalker
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @ScottWalker I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. You survived a recall. You can survive #cycling #bikes
John Kasich
Twitter: @johnkasich
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @JohnKasich I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. It's good practice B4 you speak @ UR great #cycling city of #cleveland in 2016. #bikes
George Pataki
Twitter: @governorPataki
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @GovernorPataki I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. I think you'll enjoy it. That's no long shot. #bikes #cycling
Rand Paul
Twitter: @randpaul
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @RandPaul I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. 5 out of 5 libertarian-leaning eye doctors agree #cycling is good for your health.
Ben Carson
Twitter: @realbencarson
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @RealBenCarson I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. It doesn't take a gifted brain surgeon to know how much fun #cycling can be. #bikes
Jeb Bush
Twitter: @jebbush
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @JebBush I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. Borrow some #cycling socks from your dad. I hear he has some sweet socks. #bikes
Chris Christie
Twitter: @chrischristie
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @ChrisChristie I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. Time for some traffic solutions in Fort Lee (and everywhere else) #bikes #cycling
Ted Cruz
Twitter: @tedcruz
Hi, @tedcruz I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. Good chance to stretch your legs before the next filibuster. #bikes #cycling
Jim Gilmore
Twitter: @gov_gilmore
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @gov_gilmore I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. We can stop for @pizzahut & beer on the ride if you like. #bikes #cycling
Rick Santorum
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @RickSantorum I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. Have a supporter knit you some #cycling gloves to match your best sweater vest. #bikes
Marco Rubio
Twitter: @marcorubio
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @marcorubio I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. I suggest you secure the endorsement of @CamelBak before we go. #cycling #bikes
Mike Huckabee
Twitter: @GovMikeHuckabee
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @GovMikeHuckabee I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. You'll have fun & inspire people to go #cycling. I have faith. #bikes
Lindsey Graham
Twitter: @LindseyGrahamSC
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi @LindseyGrahamSC I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. BTW 'I met her while #cycling' is a great meet-cute 4 UR future first lady. #bikes
Carly Fiorina
Twitter: @CarlyFiorina
Tweet from @michaelknorris
Hi, @CarlyFiorina. I want to #BikeWithTheNextPresident. If you come to #siliconvalley we can #bike by HP & yell something. #bikes #cycling
Cycling brothers and sisters: it’s a new week. Before the media has a chance to talk about the next meaningless poll log onto Twitter and send a quick message to your favorite candidate. Invite them to go biking with you and invite your friends to do the same.
Let’s give nightly news anchors something non-divisive to report and have images of presidential candidates biking retweeted millions of times over. We had countless people pouring buckets of ice on themselves last year so this seems in reach. Let’s go for it. Thanks for reading and thanks for riding.
Follow me on Twitter @michaelknorris
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