Comments on: Effective bike advocacy in the face of declining city budgets

By: ubrayj02

ubrayj02 — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 02:42:55 +0000

Here in Los Angeles, after a very successful BikeSummer, a community of bicyclists established a culture of "social bike rides" (see: http://midnightridazz.com ) which has in turn led to a real groundswell of political activity in favor of bicycling. Without the fun, party-like, atmosphere most of us never would have gotten together. Without a social networking web-site that we all went to for ride announcements, we never would have formed into a small block of concerned citizens. What I've learned since all of this kicked off in L.A.: a lot of regular transportation cyclists are moneyed, educated, literate, and creative. That is a group that the political class had better watch out for once they've come together to have their interests served.

By: xiousgeonz

xiousgeonz — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:39:13 +0000

This is a good angle – I’ve been thinking that “these times” are good for basically infusing cycling into the culture, when folks might be more likely to give it a shot in the name of frugality and/or reducing the ol’ carbon footprint. My town’s an example, tho’, of a place where there are lots of cyclists but nobody really thinks there are that many of us. (From a business guy voicing the ‘need’ for more parking, not bike lanes, contrary to actual numbers the planners got: “My customers don’t ride bikes.” He’s not even right… tho’ I won’t be his customer any more, for that and other reasons.) We’re trying to change the perception that the only folks on bicycles are students and Those Other People Who Are Too POor To Thave A Car (and don’t have any political power anyway, so why bother meeting their needs).

By: ubrayj02

ubrayj02 — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:37:21 +0000

I think you should not shy away from pursuing local general funds to pay for bicycle projects.
Though you may be rebuffed constantly about “the budget”, remember that bicycle projects are incredibly cheap relative to the money we spend supporting the automobile infrastructure.
I would also remind you that planning properly for bicycles can measurably improve life in a community, and retail foot traffic in commercial areas. Bicycle planning, in most American cities, has to do with reducing the right-of-way for automobiles and generally slowing cars down or isolating automobiles access to the juicy, people-rich, parts of town.
You’ll have to start small, but it looks like you’re off to a great start. General funds, and general transportation funds, or bust!

By: anna lisa gross

anna lisa gross — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:32:04 +0000

thanks for putting all of this information in one place, Mark! it’s inspiring, and a great jumping-off point for folks who are ready to do more bike advocacy!