Show your patriotism by declaring your independence from oil. The Bicycle Coalition, along with bicycle advocacy groups in New York City, Washington D.C., Portland and San Francisco, have launched a "Gas-Free Fridays" campaign to get more people on bicycles this summer.

If you are ready to declare your independence from oil, write your representatives in Washington D.C. to encourage them to support bicycling as transportation by approving direct and better federal assistance to our nation's 20 most populous cities, so that cities like Philadelphia can continue to establish safe bicycle networks, bike to transit facilities and public bicycle-share programs.

Our elected officials also need to hear from you! We've written a sample letter below to help get you started. We encourage you to personalize this letter -- let these representatives know if you're a parent, a teacher, a lawyer, etc.

Please take a minute to send this important email to your elected officials.

Email Your Senators

Email Your Congressional Representative

Cut and paste the following into the body of your email:

I am one of the growing number of Americans doing my part to lessen our nation's overdependence on oil. I'm also one of the 75,000 Delaware Valley residents who rides their bicycles regularly for transportation. I am proud that by riding a bicycle, I reduce my gas usage and my overall impact on the environment.

Half of all driving trips in our country are under two miles in length and could easily be done on a bicycle. Americans deserve affordable transportation options and there has never been a better time to support bicycling and a greener future.

As a national leader, I urge you to do your part by supporting bicycling as transportation at the federal level. You will have many opportunities in the coming year to boost healthy, sustainable transportation, particularly by allocating greater and more direct funding to our nation's 20 most populous cities, such as Philadelphia, allowing them to invest in safe bicycle networks, bike-to-transit facilities, and public bicycle-share programs.

The 1200 member Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, along with other national advocacy groups have launched a summertime call for "Gas-Free Fridays" starting on July 4th -- Independence from Oil Day. I along with other Americans are making the pledge to take more gas-free trips this summer.

I hope you will support our patriotic and healthy cause by strengthening your support of bicycling for transportation.

Thank you for your consideration