Cyclists will soon have a new advocate on Capitol Hill. The Thunderhead Alliance, a coalition of more than 100 local bike advocacy organizations, named Jeffrey Miller its new president yesterday. Miller, formerly the head of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, will be taking over at a pivotal juncture in the Alliance’s history. Created in 1996 as a loose partnership among state and local bike groups, the Alliance is boosting its national profile and advocacy efforts this fall. From their press release:

With global warming, public health and the built environment resonating with Americans more than ever and with bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations well established from coast to coast, the Thunderhead Alliance is in a unique position to foster growth, strengthen the movement and unite advocates around a national agenda to increase bicycling and walking.

This fall, Miller will open Thunderhead’s base of operations in Washington, DC. Along with field offices in Columbus, Ohio and San Francisco, the Alliance will work with members and national partners to be a resource and build strong coalitions that will fight for increased funding and stronger policies to grow bicycling and walking. 

Miller joins Andy Clarke at the League of American Bicyclists and Tim Blumenthal of Bikes Belong as Washington’s Bike Lobby. First item on the agenda? How about finding a Transportation Secretary who believes that bicycles are, in fact, a viable mode of transportation.