31/07/2026
The Quiet Strength of Gentle Advocacy, writes Melissa & Chris Bruntlett, global bicycle advocacy leaders.
I was lucky enough to meet them when they came to Sydney, and they were every bit as warm and generous as they appear to be online.
One of the reasons I initially joined BIKEast 15 years ago, was because BIKEast as a group were full of people who projected, led, and worked hard to build the / a world I wanted to live in.
15 years on, I gravitate towards bicycle advocacy and actions that focuss on the positive, and constructive ways that encourage a better way for our communities to grow.
I thank all the gentle advocates that came before us, and I welcome all the advocates who are joining now and in the future.
Together, we can and will build the world we want to see,
one (green) step at a time.
Yvonne.
The Quiet Strength of Gentle Advocacy
Over the years, we’ve often been asked how we’ve managed to remain optimistic in a field that can be so polarised, frustrating, and slow-moving. The answer is surprisingly simple: we made a conscious decision to practice what we’ve come to call “gentle advocacy.”
Gentle advocacy is the belief that lasting change is more likely to emerge from inspiration than indignation. That people are more willing to embrace a new future when they can clearly see themselves in it. And a belief that showing what is possible is often more effective than endlessly cataloguing what is wrong.
Every minute spent arguing with someone committed to misunderstanding your position is a minute not spent advancing your vision. Every ounce of energy devoted to bad-faith criticism is energy unavailable for people who are genuinely curious, genuinely undecided, or genuinely empowered to make change. You won’t convince everyone, and you don’t need to.
So, our advice to the next generation of advocates is simple: spend less time fighting over the future and more time describing it. Paint a picture that people can see themselves inhabiting. Tell stories that connect policy to everyday life. Invite rather than exclude. Encourage rather than condemn. Demonstrate rather than lecture. Show rather than tell.
After fifteen years, we remain convinced that cities become better when we appeal to people’s aspirations rather than their fears. That influence is built through trust. That kindness is not weakness. Optimism, when paired with evidence and persistence, is one of the most transformative forces available to us.
In a world increasingly defined by outrage, choosing hope and approaching with empathy can feel radical. But we’ve seen where it leads. We’ve watched minds open, policies shift, streets transform, and communities flourish. That is why we continue to choose gentle advocacy. Not because it’s the easiest path, but because it’s the one that builds a brighter future.
READ the full essay via the link in bio/comments.
