Ribbons Across the Land
Lobbying for Improvements
The cyclists formed national organizations, such as the League of American Wheelman, to lobby local, state, and federal officials for paved roads. These efforts came to be known as the Good Roads Movement. After 1900, the popularity of automobiles also became an increasingly powerful lobby for better roads. The weight of automobiles increased paving costs, making it essential to have government support to fund road improvements.