Miles That Matter with Megan Hottman
A 2026 community initiative
I’m launching the Miles That Matter Initiative, a year-long, non-competitive community project centered on riding, connection, and safer cycling.
In 2026, I’m pairing miles with purpose. Riding with intention. All bikes count. All rides count.
This project exists because I thrive with clear goals, shared accountability, and community. I’ve been craving connection, and rather than waiting for it to appear, I decided to help create it. My hope is that this initiative offers a meaningful, flexible way to add purpose to your riding while being part of something bigger than yourself.
The big idea
You do not need to give more. You can redirect what you already have.
One core element of this initiative is Declutter to Donate. If it calls to you, sell items you already own but no longer need and redirect those funds toward safer cycling through People for Bikes. Unused items become real infrastructure impact.
Participation is intentionally flexible. Take what resonates. Leave what doesn’t. There is no pressure to do everything.
Ways to participate (choose any, or none)
Ride however you ride.
Road, gravel, mountain, indoor, outdoor, e-bike, trainer, commuter, cruiser. Truly all bikes and all rides count.
Bike miles over car miles.
If it feels meaningful, keep track of bike miles and driving miles and aim to keep bike miles greater than car miles over the year.
Declutter to Donate.
Sell items you no longer want or need using Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or similar. Share a photo of it going “bye-bye” if you want. Donate the proceeds, however big or small, to People for Bikes.
An optional per-mile giving idea.
Some participants choose to attach a small donation to their riding, for example $0.10 or $0.25 per mile, or a simple monthly amount. Others invite friends or family to contribute as they share their mileage on social media. This is completely optional and meant to be flexible and pressure-free. Miles That Matter is not about how much you ride or how much you give. It is about intention, consistency, and community.
Community and connection
Monthly Zoom gatherings.
Each month we will host an optional Zoom call to connect. We will share ride stories, look at People for Bikes city ratings, talk about what we are learning, and discuss a bike-related book. Most importantly, this space is about connection, conversation, and feeling less alone.
When? Second Monday of each month, starting February 9th, 2026 at 5pm Mtn Time. We’ll use this zoom link each time through 12/31/26 so please save it!
Strava group.
Join the Miles That Matter Strava group if you want camaraderie and encouragement. This is not a competitive initiative. Strava may display rankings, but that is not the focus. Use the group to share a ride that replaced a drive, an item you sold and donated, reflections from the book of the month, or simply to cheer others on.
You are also welcome to simply follow along, join when you can, and participate in the ways that feel supportive and energizing to you.
This initiative is about letting our miles stand for something, creating community, and making progress toward safer cycling together.
I’m really glad you’re here.