Our friends and partners at Phoenix Bikes, a youth development program and community bike shop here in Arlington, have been selected to host the 2017 Youth Bike Summit. And we couldn’t be more excited about what this means for youth and biking in the region!

This three-day, national conference is geared toward youth—offering hands-on workshops, keynote speakers and demonstrations—many lead by youth themselves. At the intersection of bikes, education, advocacy and leadership, the conference provides an environment for folks from “different disciplines, backgrounds and ages to gather together to learn, share, network and explore how bicycling can be a catalyst for positive social change.” With a description like that, what’s not to love?

We’ve got four steps to make sure you take full advantage of this neato opportunity:

1. Put these dates in your calendar

Right. Now. October 6-8, 2017

2. Propose a session

The Youth Bike Summit is particularly unique because of the wealth of opportunities youth are given to really shape the conference and its content. As a hometown host, we’re rooting for any local youth (and programs that work with youth) to pitch sessions. Got an idea to share? Send it in now! Submission are due February 17.

Hint: Check out last year’s schedule to spark ideas, but feel free to propose whatever you dream up!

3. Attend

Registration is now open! This awesome conference was hosted for many years in New York City, before becoming mobile and venturing to Minneapolis-St. Paul and Seattle in recent years. It’s a huge resource coming to our backyard—so don’t miss a chance to attend! Register now!

4. Follow along

In the months leading up to the conference (and during it), Phoenix Bikes (Twitter and Facebook) and The Youth Bike Summit (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) will be the best sources of up-to-date information. Put a follow in now, so you won’t miss anything.

Phoenix Bikes Youth attend a tour of QBP Headquarters as part of the 2016 Youth Bike Summit