Carter Lavin
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carterlavin.bsky.social
Carter Lavin
@carterlavin.bsky.social
2.3K followers 1.3K following 1.6K posts
Training folks to win transportation changes like bus lanes, bike lanes, & car-free plazas. Author of "If you want to win, you've got to fight: a guide to effective transportation advocacy" https://islandpress.org/books/if-you-want-win-youve-got-fight#desc
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carterlavin.bsky.social
First pic of my book -- If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy -- on LA Metro!
(Sent in from a friend)
A person holding a copy of If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy while on the LA Metro
November 20, 2025 at 3:14 AM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Looks like there is some solid demand @sfpubliclibrary.bsky.social for If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy!

Does your local library have a copy yet?
A screenshot of the San Francisco public library page for If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight which shows the library has 3 copies and there are 14 holds placed on it
November 14, 2025 at 9:49 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy 's first AC Transit bus ride!

Looking forward to seeing more book in transit pics from folks!
A hand on a bus holding the book whose cover says “If You Want To WIn, You’ve Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy” by Carter Lavin. The words “If you want to win” are in all caps, hunter green blocky font that takes up half the page in the upper left-hand corner. The words “You’ve Got to Fight” are a burnt orange of the same size and font. The words connect diagonally across the page. The words “A Guide to effective transportation advocacy” is in black, in smaller font nestled between the block of larger text. Carter’s name is in the lower left corner in black. Behind the words is a stylized, fictionalized metro map that takes up most of the page. The metro map is complex, multi-colored, showing potential expansion plans, transfer stations etc. The book cover background is an off-white. Roughly 6 inches wide, 9 inches tall.
November 14, 2025 at 1:38 AM
carterlavin.bsky.social
LOVING the reviews. A lot of work went into making my transit, bike, and street safety political advocacy book as accessible and helpful as possible. Glad to see that paying off
screen shot of a linkedin post with the author cropped. it says "Big congratulations to you, Carter. I have an advanced copy and was struck from the introduction by how accessible and energizing your guidance is. I started reading and got pulled in right away. It feels like having a knowledgeable coach in the room cheering you on. I am excited to keep reading and even more excited to see how people put these ideas to work in their cities."
November 13, 2025 at 6:28 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
TODAY is publication day for my first book! If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy is a practical guide for people who want to make #transit, #bike, and street safety changes in their community

Check it out at islandpress.org/books/if-you...
The cover of “If You Want To WIn, You’ve Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy” by Carter Lavin. The words “If you want to win” are in all caps, hunter green blocky font that takes up half the page in the upper left-hand corner. The words “You’ve Got to Fight” are a burnt orange of the same size and font. The words connect diagonally across the page. The words “A Guide to effective transportation advocacy” is in black, in smaller font nestled between the block of larger text. Carter’s name is in the lower left corner in black. Behind the words is a stylized, fictionalized metro map that takes up most of the page. The metro map is complex, multi-colored, showing potential expansion plans, transfer stations etc. The book cover background is an off-white. Roughly 6 inches wide, 9 inches tall.
November 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Physically protected bike lanes don't come from thin air. If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight-- and today is the LAST day you can pre-order the book from @islandpress.bsky.social islandpress.org/books/if-you... because starting tomorrow you can only just regularly order it since it'll be out.
a picture of the cover of If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight superimposed on a picture of a physically protected bike lane with multiple riders on it in a city.
November 13, 2025 at 2:43 AM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Hop on board tomorrow! My book If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight comes out TOMORROW from @islandpress.bsky.social Check it outhttps://islandpress.org/books/if-you-want-win-youve-got-fight#desc
A picture of If You Want To Win You've Got to Fight photoshopped over a bus door entrance at a bus only lane
November 12, 2025 at 5:31 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Honorable mention to #urbanismbookclub but misses the age cutoff just barely. I have a soft spot for For The Love Of Cities which, to me, felt like it was describing this new phenomenon of people wearing their civic pride and city-branded clothes. He described it as "holding hands with your city"
Cover of the book For the Love of cities
November 11, 2025 at 5:19 AM
carterlavin.bsky.social
This holiday season, surprise & delight the train fan in your life with this gift combo

The US Highspeed Rail Boardgame by @alfredtwu.com www.thegamecrafter.com/games/us-hig...

+

If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy islandpress.org/books/if-you...
A picture of the boardgame "U.S. High Speed Rail" which has an illustration of a high speed rail network map across the United States. And below it is a copy of the book “If You Want To WIn, You’ve Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy” by Carter Lavin. The words “If you want to win” are in all caps, hunter green blocky font that takes up half the page in the upper left-hand corner. The words “You’ve Got to Fight” are a burnt orange of the same size and font. The words connect diagonally across the page. The words “A Guide to effective transportation advocacy” is in black, in smaller font nestled between the block of larger text. Carter’s name is in the lower left corner in black. Behind the words is a stylized, fictionalized metro map that takes up most of the page. The metro map is complex, multi-colored, showing potential expansion plans, transfer stations etc. The book cover background is an off-white. Roughly 6 inches wide, 9 inches tall.
November 8, 2025 at 4:01 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
If your daily Bay Area commute involves a transfer between transit agencies -- you're basically about to save over a grand a year.
a screen shot of the clipper 2.0 savings calculator. the transbay coalition and the seamless bay area logo are visible. the calculator shows that for a trip which starts on AC transit and transfers to BART to go from 19th st Oakland to 24th and Mission riders will save $1,425 a year with Clipper 2.0
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
The cover of “If You Want To WIn, You’ve Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy” by Carter Lavin. The words “If you want to win” are in all caps, hunter green blocky font that takes up half the page in the upper left-hand corner. The words “You’ve Got to Fight” are a burnt orange of the same size and font. The words connect diagonally across the page. The words “A Guide to effective transportation advocacy” is in black, in smaller font nestled between the block of larger text. Carter’s name is in the lower left corner in black. Behind the words is a stylized, fictionalized metro map that takes up most of the page. The metro map is complex, multi-colored, showing potential expansion plans, transfer stations etc. The book cover background is an off-white. Roughly 6 inches wide, 9 inches tall.
November 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
So cool seeing that my book about how to be an effective #bike, #transit, and #streetsafety activist is at the @sfpublicdefender.sf.gov Oakland Public Library, and the @berkeleypubliclibrary.org

So go check it out -- literally!

Ask your local library to get a copy islandpress.org/books/if-you...
a shot of a compilation of screenshots of public library webpages showing that they have a copy of If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy by Carter Lavin. It shows the Berkeley Public Library logo, the Oakland Public Library logo and the San Francisco Public Library logo
October 31, 2025 at 6:52 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Check it out islandpress.org/books/if-you...
Screenshot that says "Carter Lavin delivers a clear and inspiring playbook for anyone serious about making transportation safer and more equitable. Packed with real examples and actionable strategies, this book shows that meaningful change comes from persistence, organization, and a willingness to fight for better streets." —Sam Balto, Founder and Executive Director of Bike Bus World
October 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
New book review! "Full of bangers"
See for yourself at
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
A screenshot of an Instagram story. The picture is of a copy of If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy by Carter Lavin being held by a person who has an orange cat in their lap. In the upper left there is text that reads "Full of bangers like: 'Politicians who want to do something unpopular often use process to pretend that the matter is out of their hands.' For example, "that street classification doesn't allow for crosswalks or speed bumps [RULES CAN BE CHANGED]"
October 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Mmm. I don't know Michigan or Detroit laws on this. Might be to signal that bikes are allowed in the general travel lanes AND bike lanes? But then it'd still have the bike icon in the lane.

And it sounds like we're not talking "Sharrows" like the below where there is an icon but no bike lane.
A sharrow in a general travel lane
October 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Interesting, but I'm not sure I follow. Here's a pic of a painted bike lane in Oakland with a bike icon -- are you saying that in Detroit there isn't an icon in the bike lanes? Or that the icon would be in the general travel lane? Or maybe something else
Picture of a painted bike lane filled with 15+ riders. The bike lane is marked by a painted bike icon. To the left of the bike lane are two general travel lanes that have three cars in them
October 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Lots of lovely people, moments, and signs at #NoKings today -- and as a bike rider I really loved this!
Picture of a black bike with saddle bags. A person (head is cropped out) is standing next to it while wearing a reflective vest as they are helping protect a No Kings Rally from car traffic. The bike has a large sign on the handle bars that says "we are not the enemy"
October 18, 2025 at 9:50 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
"Frankly, it's the book the transportation reform movement has been waiting for." -- @keawilson.bsky.social , Senior Editor, @usa.streetsblog.org

Check out the book and other reviews here
www.amazon.com/You-Want-You...
and via @islandpress.bsky.social at islandpress.org/books/if-you...
A screenshot that reads: "A truly useful handbook for those who want to make change. It will be of great use to those working on transportation—but also for anyone trying to improve any part of our society. Politics isn't magic; it's work, and this will show you how to get it done most effectively." -- ―Bill McKibben, author of 'Here Comes the Sun' "Carter Lavin equips readers with the tools and tactics they need to rally their communities, build strong coalitions, and convince elected officials that a better world is possible. This should be required reading, whether you're new to the movement or, like me, a veteran in the war on cars." -- ―Doug Gordon, coauthor of 'Life After Cars' "A brilliant showcase of the core tenet of organizing: to build, together. Through countless transportation campaign stories from across the US, Lavin crafts a practical compass that can guide advocates at all stages to win the change our communities deserve." -- ―Cathy Dos Santos, Executive Director of Transit Alliance Miami "A helpful guide for youth or anyone interested in joining the movement for people-first communities. Lavin relays the conditions, tactics, and coalitions necessary for building a movement that is joyous, effective, and widespread." -- ―Elise Joshi, former Executive Director of Gen-Z for Change "Carter Lavin delivers a clear and inspiring playbook for anyone serious about making transportation safer and more equitable. Packed with real examples and actionable strategies, this book shows that meaningful change comes from persistence, organization, and a willingness to fight for better streets." -- ―Sam Balto, Founder and Executive Director of Bike Bus World "A lot of books will tell you what's wrong with your city's transportation system; this is a book that could actually help us fix it. It's full of actionable, approachable, and inspiring insights into what it will take to change the world, starting with our streets. Frankly, it's the book the transportati…
October 15, 2025 at 6:43 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Cold and rainy day in the Bay Area today. Good time to cuddle up with a nice book that'll leave you feeling warm and fuzzy... like my book If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy

Get your copy @islandpress.bsky.social islandpress.org/books/if-you...
A copy of If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight on a brown wooden coffee table, with a mug of tea and two miniature pumpkins next to it
October 13, 2025 at 11:08 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
So cool!! Friends & family are sending me screenshots of the notice they got today confirming that my book If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy is being shipped to folks who pre-ordered at @islandpress.bsky.social
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
A dropped Screenshot of an email that says "Your order has shipped" with the order number and name of the recipient blotted out in red. It reads "Dear [redacted], We have shipped the order you placed on September 25, 2025. The following item(s) have been shipped: Title If you want to win, you've got to fight Isbn 978164283373 Quantity 1 The order was shipped via USPS BPM. Tracking number:
September 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Pretty cool seeing my book, "If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy" listed as Amazon's #1 New Release in Political Advocacy Books. Lots of folks want better #bike infrastructure & #publictransit!
Check it out here: www.amazon.com/You-Want-You...
screen shot of an amazon.com book page that says "Amazon Hot New Releases. Our best-selling new and future releases. Updated frequently." Then "New Releases in Political Advocacy Books" with Carter Lavin's If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy" listed as #1 #2 is Devils' Advocates: The Hidden Story of Rudy Giuliani, Hunter Biden, and the Washington Insiders on the Payrolls of Corrupt Foreign Interests by Kenneth P. Vogel #3 is Free the People to Free the Money to Free the People: An Organize the Rich Anthology by Michael Gast
September 26, 2025 at 2:04 AM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Got my early author copies from @islandpress.bsky.social! Excited for this book to help people win on everything from new speed bumps, to protected bike lanes, to expanding transit service (and stopping cuts), and a whole lot more. Pre-order your copy at
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
The cover of “If You Want To WIn, You’ve Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy” by Carter Lavin. The words “If you want to win” are in all caps, hunter green blocky font that takes up half the page in the upper left-hand corner. The words “You’ve Got to Fight” are a burnt orange of the same size and font. The words connect diagonally across the page. The words “A Guide to effective transportation advocacy” is in black, in smaller font nestled between the block of larger text. Carter’s name is in the lower left corner in black. Behind the words is a stylized, fictionalized metro map that takes up most of the page. The metro map is complex, multi-colored, showing potential expansion plans, transfer stations etc. The book cover background is an off-white. Roughly 6 inches wide, 9 inches tall. The back cover of ““If You Want To WIn, You’ve Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy” by Carter Lavin. There is a red icon of a front-facing bus. A green circle with an icon of a person riding a bike, a yellow diamond with a pedestrian icon in it, a lavender icon of a light rail, and a light blue icon of a cargo bike. At the top it lists the book category as “TRANSPORTATION/ General” Then it has 4 blurbs. “A truly useful handbook for those who want to make change. It will be of great use to those working on transportation – where these efforts are sorely needed–but also for anyone trying to improve any part of our society. Politics isn’t magic; it’s work, and this will show you how to get it done most effectively.” — Bill McKibben, author of Here Comes the Sun “Carter Lavin equips readers with the tools and tactics they need to rally their communities, build strong coalitions, and convince elected officials that a better world is possible. This should be required reading, whether you’re new to the movement or, like me, a veteran in the war on cars.” – Doug Gordon, coauthor of Life After Cars “A brilliant showcase of the core tenet of organizing: to build, together. Through countless transportation campaign stories from across the US, Lavin crafts a practical compass that can guide advocates at all stages to win the change our communities deserve.” – Cathy Dos Santos, Executive Director of Transit Alliance Miami “A helpful guide for youth or anyone interested in joining the movement for people-first communities. Lavin relays the conditions, tactics, and coalitions necessary for building a movement that is joyous, effective, and widespread.” – Elise Joshi, former Executive Director of Gen-Z for Change Cover design: Bruce Gore/ Gore Studio, Inc. Cover art: iStock & Shutterstock Images. Island Press Washington Covelo. www.islandpress.org . All Island press books are printed on environmentally responsible materials. A barcode is visible
September 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
The more things change...

preview page from If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy islandpress.org/books/if-you...
screen shot of page of text that says "This book will help strengthen your advocacy by explaining what goes into all of that behind-the-scenes works and how it connects to what goes on in public. For example, in 2024, when a pro-transit coalition of diverse organizations got California Governor Gavin Newsom to reverse $2 billion in proposed transit funding cuts and provide over $1 billion in additional funding, it took pretty much every tool in the toolbox. Building power for that effort took lots of coalition building, education work, flyering, fundraising, lobbying, researching, strategizing, message crafting, and much more. At the same, we put on disruptive and hyper-visible actions, which supercharged the campaign and put an international spotlight on the issue when it was most needed. One of those actions was a "transit funeral," where we carried mock coffins with huge cardboard trains in the streets of downtown Oakland, then on BART and into San Francisco. That action even got the British magazine The Economist to cheekily admit, 'Sometimes, it turns out, protests work."13 Nearly everything you need to know in order to do the same for your community, city, or state is in this book. This book can help you win an amazing variety of changes and help you weather the defeats along the way. You might lose, but you won't fail: The only way to fail in organizing is by giving up. As long as you are learning from your experiences, growing, and continuing to fight, you are succeeding.
September 12, 2025 at 6:32 PM
carterlavin.bsky.social
Check out the rest of the preview here islandpress.org/books/if-you...
Screenshot of a page of If You Want To Win, You've Got zto Fight
September 12, 2025 at 1:31 AM
carterlavin.bsky.social
From POLITICO California Climate newsletter!
"Transit advocates pressure campaign seems to be working"

Great job everyone!
Screenshot of the POLITICO California Climate email. which shows a picture of a 200+ person rally at the steps of the State of California office complex in San Francisco with various pro-transit signs visible. The following words are below the image with the first phrase highlighted in yellow. Transit advocates' pressure campaign seems to be working. | Courtesy of Jeff Cretan TRANSIT TURMOIL: The fate of a $750 million loan for Bay Area transit agencies is still in limbo, but the budget proposal isn’t dead yet. Sen. Scott Wiener and advocates for struggling systems like BART and Muni went on the offensive over the weekend after the Newsom administration said it wouldn’t sign off on loan terms before Friday, blasting the governor on social media for reneging on a June budget deal and rallying in San Francisco Monday morning. “We are working closely with all stakeholders on the parameters of a funding deal,” Newsom’s office said in a statement Monday. “Our shared goal is to agree on the terms of a deal by this fall.”
September 9, 2025 at 1:13 AM