"Green" groups.
 

We are having a mayoral etc. election very soon. When asked about their stand on elements of our "master bicycle plan" approved by the city council, "Green Party" candidates did not seem to be at all aware of bicycling issues.

I was wondering how pervasive this is. I would have expected cleaner transportation to be an issue the Green Party included in their platform, so I'm just wondering if our advocacy folks might want to see whether this is a conscious avoidance of the issue or just ignorance.

(Now, will there be any on-topic answers? Or tangential acerbities? Exceed my expectations, do! )

The difference is that once they are aware, they are more likely to place heavier emphasis on it unlike the Republicans and Democrats.

The quotation marks around "green" are appropriate, as it is becoming a buzzword that is increasingly devoid of meaning. Many contradictory measures are passed off as "green", often without any analysis of what the term means or whether the measure can really be described as such.

I'm in favor of anti-pollution regulations and the preservation of various types of open space, but beyond that, I don't call myself "green" or associate myself with anything "green".

Here is Value #3 from the Green Party of the United States' "Ten Key Values":

"3. ECOLOGICAL WISDOM
Human societies must operate with the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from nature. We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet. We support a sustainable society which utilizes resources in such a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of our generation. To this end we must practice agriculture which replenishes the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems."

Seems like cycling is a natural fit here.

+1

I suspect that marketing departments everywhere have figured out that this is the current politically correct buzzword. Politicians, as expected have to pick either:
1. Green
2. Anti-green

Bicycling probably falls off the radar because for over one hundred years it's failed to stop local air pollution and it hasn't slowed auto expansion at all. I'm not saying it can't, just that it hasn't.

That's a good point. They don't push, oh, cutting back on meat consumption either, which also could theoretically do "green" things if done en masse... but it is counter to the culture. Except Green "is" couterculture... except it's not really...

We have a pretty good "master plan for bicycles" htat was approved by the city council, but now some businesses are lobbying politicians against it (they think it'll make life harder for drivers downtown if we have bicycles there; the perception is "my customers don't ride bicycles" and yes, sir, this shoe shopper who *would* have gone to your store won't now, but...) and the Green Party mayoral candidate simply seemed like he'd never heard of any of it.

Vegetarianism is a huge green push. So is eating a reduced meat diet (less or equal to the recommended 4oz per day). They can't hope to legislate it so it's more similar to how we push biking: By trying to convince people to go for it because it's healthy, saves money, etc.

I'm always amazed when businesses fight something like that. To me it's a sign that it's a good idea: It's going to shake things up, kill a few businesses. Not that killing businesses is good in itself. Okay, it is: You're killing the weak ones and allowing new ones to replace them. Business doesn't need to be protected. They thrive on their own and offer massive rewards to those who can do it.

Walkable neighborhoods that are difficult to drive discourage chain stores and encourage local stores which are much better at adapting to odd buildings with different layouts.

Occasionally I run into someone who is Green and is against supporting bicyclists because of the environmental damage they do by encouraging more impervious surface, yet is all for electric cars and more roadways to accommodate them. :notamused:

But we are making progress, we actually had a Green group support one of a our bike bills this year, a first.

Unless they have expertise/experience it's best they stay neutral.

They don't have time for practical stuff,they're to busy watching the iceburgs melt.

Since I am an environmentalist but not a socialist, I seldom vote for Green Party candidates.

I'd like to see a break down of governors, and mayors, by affiliation and their stand and actions on real bicycle advocacy. It looks more and more like bike advocacy is going mainstream. This has to be good news if you like to ride a bike, no matter if you’re green, red, blue or even black.

A couple of conservative bikeforum member’s posts are quoted here in this UTNE reader story. There also mention of the republican governor of CO, and a conservative talk show host both of who are probike and opinionated. What is the world coming to? They still seem to get involved in your basic frays over road vs path, activity vs commuting emphasis, etc.

http://www.utne.com/2008-10-14/Polit...-Politics.aspx