Advocacy/activism poll
 

The definition of "active" is that you must be actually DOING something. Being a member or intellectually agreeing with something doesn't count.

Local council bike forum. Doing the groundwork for a BUG here too. I'd ride CM as well, but there ain't one here and it's not congested enough yet... YET.

So, CM is the only bike advocacy outside of pro racing? That's a very narrow idea of bike advocacy.

Edit: This was a really stupid comment on my part. Sorry.

I think he means pro as in for not pro as profesional. I do not look at CM as bike advocacy, until someone steps up and takes responsibility for the actions of the group they really are not much more than rable rousers. I am a member of 2 cycling clubs and the Washington Bicycle Advocacy.

I'm an anti-speeding campaigner.
I think that will help cyclists as well as other vulnerable road users.
I believe it is up to ALL car driving cyclists to strictly adhere to the speed limits on the road. I do - off (and on) the bike.

I counted riding my bike as "some other pro-cycling activity".

To be truthful, other than as an object lesson or example that it can be done, I don't really do much to promote cycling.

Most folks write me off as some kind of crazy person festooned with lights riding through the snow. If they show any interest at all it is sort of like you are some kind of interesting new bug they just discovered.

I don't think you can be talked into utility cycling, you pretty much have to try it and see the advantages for yourself.

Dan

Now I feel stupid. And deservedly so. Sorry Mars.

heh, no problem ;)

Daily bicycle commuter. Oregon Bicycle Transportation Alliance member and volunteer. City of Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee member. City of Portland Community and School Transportation Safety Partnership Advisory Committee member. Critical Mass and Zoobomb participant. Car Free Day event organizer. Shift to Cycling participant and volunteer. Assist in distributing free helmets and lights to low-income cyclists. Write periodic letters to the editor on timely topics related to cycling. What's your excuse? :)

http://www.bta4bikes.org/
http://www.shift2bikes.org/index.html
http://www.portlandtransportation.or...s/progstaf.htm
http://www.portlandtransportation.or...es/default.htm
http://www.zoobomb.org/

Whoa, hats off to randya. Very impressive (claps)

I wasn't trying to brag :o , I was just trying to show what's possible... A lot of this advocacy stuff doesn't really even take that much time. Usually a meeting at noon or in the evening once a month, perhaps doing a little 'homework' on your own, writing a letter occassionally, going to a public hearing to speak up for an important project you are passionate about. Rides and other participatory stuff with your friends are usually more fun than attending boring meetings with transportation bureaucrats, of course, but I think both are necessary if you really want significant change to happen. :)

Frankly, I think cycling responsibly on public roads on a regular basis does a great deal to promote cycling.

I recently bought a bike from a "yellow bike" program in my city. I got a really nice old vintage bike and convinced them not to paint it yellow. Mine for keeps. Great bunch, I thought. I started talking to the "head guy" about my bike commuting and he basically admitted he was still a "sidewalk cyclist."

What?

"Advocacy" without real-life experience can actually be counter-productive.

I dont know of any of them so i dont do anything.

To a degree. But let's face it; no one notices you until something bad happens, etc.

I agree that cycling responsibly is important, and that any cycling by a courteous cyclist does good for all of us. However, the truth of the matter is that people in general don't remember the good ones, and only remember the bike messenger who got too close and made them drop their cup of coffee.

It's always the bad ones who stand out.

Critical Mass in NYC is a perfect example. 10 years of absolutely peaceful, quiet, and uneventful events. One bad one in August and now all of a sudden Satan rides in it with liberal hate America whackos.

It's all perception.

BTW: Hi: That's a sweet rig!

I am very active in the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, somewhat less so in the California Bicycle Coalition. I advocate safe accommodations for bicycles and I try to set a lawful vehicular example when I ride. I also do something for cycling by being alert, cautious, and courteous to cyclists when I drive.

I send emails to the city traffic engineer or public works when I encounter nonresponsive traffic signals or obstructions in bike lanes or shoulders.

Sorry CM fans. I share your objectives and sympathize with you, but I have concerns regarding the efficacy of your methods.

I used to think that way...

Okay -

1. I am a member of League of American Bicyclists

2. I am a member of Bicycle Colorado (Advocacy Group)

3. I was active (writing letters to the editor, making phone calls, internet notification and organizing of bike clubs) in fighting successfully a recent attempt to limit road bikes on certain portions of our trail system around here.

You make a good point, Vincenzosi. But I would argue that I am very much noticed.

Everyone at work notices. When the weather changes, they ask if I rode my bike to work in inclement weather. When I stop in at the store, a lady at the checkout says to me, "Hey, bicycle-man!" People notice me on the road, for good or ill. I get comments ranging from, "How far do you ride?" to "Get on the sidewalk!" Truth is, I stick out like a sore thumb.

What does that accomplish? I think it is like when you scratch the surface of glass with a glass-cutter: it doesn't look like you've done anything, but a little pressure in the right place and the glass comes neatly apart.

Most people where I live have always thought riding a bike on the street was out of the question.
Now they know I do it regularly over distances they all thought were impossible. Now, they know it's possible, because here I am to prove it.

Changing painted lines and signs and laws can all be done, but perhaps the most important change needed is in the minds of people who don't believe the bicycle is a valid form of daily transportation.

When I shop at stores that try to have a public face of environmental responsibility, I ask to receive my cyclists' discount. I haven't gotten any to change their official policy, but I have saved a few bucks on coffee and groceries.

I plan to pass two dollar bills out my car window to bicyclists, to thank them for saving the world, though, I haven't worked up the gumption to do this yet.

Oh, I've talked to a powerless cog in the parking office, at work, about improving cyclists' accomodations, and written suggestions for the suggestion box, located in " the bike cage".

i just ride my friggin' bike. that's active enough.

Cris L,
A single positive thing? Well, on any given night on a CM ride, we encounter cyclists riding on the sidewalk. We call thme out onto the street and tell them about the laws supporting their presence there and the statistics regarding safe vehicular riding. I have since seen many of those riders...riding on the street.

"Other."
I wear a "One Less Car" sticker on my helmet, and speak eagerly about commuting to anyone who asks.
Also, as someone upthread put it, I'm VISIBLE. Who knows how many car drivers pass me and think, "Hmmm, if she can do it, it must not be too difficult!"
We have a Critical Mass chapter here, but I've never ridden with them. The G.R. police are too handy with the pepper spray, I've heard.