Living Car Free - So the next question/step - what are you doing to make it happen?

After seeing everyone's responses on the "Which would you rather see adopted?" poll, it led me to wonder, are any of us doing anything to make those things come true? How many here have written their representative? Gone to a town meeting? Donated money to a bike-rights organization?

I wrote a letter (and engaged in an email conversation) with a town representative about improving the bike lanes around here. I know it's no where near enough. Still, I started taking action (however small)!

Learn to make multi-choice polls, people!

I have:
- attended public consultations meetings
- written to the mayor's office
- written to my city councillor's office
- written to the papers
- published several opinion in my blog, and info links
- written and phoned our transit company
- attended planning meetings for the LRT
- speak to everyone who asks about cycling
- use my bike as my "company car"
- use my bike + trailer to haul work equipment


I don't support my local bike organization.

Learn to make multi-choice polls, people!

I have:
- attended public consultations meetings
- written to the mayor's office
- written to my city councillor's office
- written to the papers
- published several opinion in my blog, and info links
- written and phoned our transit company
- attended planning meetings for the LRT
- speak to everyone who asks about cycling
- use my bike as my "company car"
- use my bike + trailer to haul work equipment


I don't support my local bike organization.

Most/All of the ideas in the original poll have zero chance of being adopted. A tax break would be nice but the government doesn't even give a decent tax break to mass transit commuters. I would like to see bikes exempt from sales taxes.

I don't support my local bike organization.

Hey patc, whats wrong with YOUR local bike organization?

Maybe this is a ripe topic for a new thread.

When I attended a fundraiser for my local bike organization many of the attendees griped about the location for the event. You know what the gripe was? Lack of parking. With so many suburbanite car drivers in the organization it got me thinking that maybe they don't have the interests of everyday transportational cyclists at heart.

I was involved with a transportation committee for the city I used to live in for a year or two. During all our meetings I suggested and strongly supported cycling-friendly ideas, and improved mass transportation. During all our meetings my ideas were met with big smiles and nods, and many people told me they really liked the ideas and thought that was the direction we should go. During our last few meetings we were given hints of what the new plan was for the city, and many of the cycling-friendly and improved mass transportation ideas were mentioned.

Then the powers-that-were put together the final document and sent it around to everyone involved. It didn't look anything like what I thought we had discussed, and only one of my cycling-friendly ideas was half-heartedly implemented.

I haven't been involved in anything like that since. Why waste my time?


Now I just ride and talk to the people I meet about how great cycling is ... and maybe some others will catch the excitement of a wonderful sport.

Hey patc, whats wrong with YOUR local bike organization?

I don't feel they make any effort to represent all cyclists in the city, and I don't fully agree with their views. In don't join advocacy groups unless I can fully agree with their goals.

The representation issue is a thorny one. An advocacy group can represent (a) the gaols set it by its board, (b) the gaols set out by its membership, or (c) the gaols of all members of one class. The local group seems to mostly operate in mode (a) with reasonable mode (b). Nothing wrong with that, except that it is accepted by the city as speaking for, and representative of, all cyclists, mode (c).

This is a common problem with advocacy groups, and one of the reasons I often won't support them. Cycling is no different there - from bike lanes to local by-laws, we have plenty of contentious issues in cycling. I have no problem with groups "picking sides" on these issues, but I do have a problem when a group speaks for all cyclists (by choice or not) but only represents one view. The "minority report" has to be included too ;)

I'm not saying that CFSC (Citizens for Safer Cycling) is a bad group, and they certainly have been very active with the city, I just can't support them or join them in their current position.

my "other":i am trying to use my car as minimally as possible, and commute by bike or walk more places in an effort to lead by example.

Most/All of the ideas in the original poll have zero chance of being adopted.
That was my first thought.

It's much better to work behind the scenes with the people who do the work in the community. Showing up to a town council meeting and going off isn't going to accomplish anything. Writing a letter provides your representative with a toilet paper substitute. Find out who (if anyone) in your community gets grants for bicycle and pedestrian type things, and get in their ear. Also, offering solutions rather than just presenting problems is more effective. Going to a municipality and begging for money is a waste of time. Find a way to bring at least some other funds to the table and make the benefit useful enough, and you may stand a chance. That being said, none of the options presented in the first poll are realistic.

From the other poll:

1) Your town/city puts bike lanes EVERYWHERE, separated by concrete lines from the cars -- fortunately that is one that won't happen except perhaps in a very limited way like perhaps across a bridge ... it's too expensive for a city to consider setting up. As things stand now, many cities consider paved bike paths (MUPs), or paved shoulders, or slightly wider roads, to be too expensive never mind forking out for all the time and effort to create baracades.


2) Every car becomes electric/solar powered -- your local city doesn't have a say in this, that's up to the car companies. And until electric/solar powered cars drop down to about the $2000-$5000 price range, they will be out of reach for most people.


3) 50% of the commuters switch to bikes -- for this you'd have to get at least 50% of businesses on board with excellent bicycle storage facilities, showers, etc., AND you'd have to have all these businesses give incentives for cycling to work as much as possible. This option might be possible ... but with the general supersizing of our population I think it would be an uphill battle to convince that many people to exercise. Despite the increase in gasoline prices, one of my impoverished co-workers (single mother trying to make ends meet) at one of the jobs I have thinks she needs to buy a car so that she can drive the 3 blocks to work because that is too far to walk. And that is not an uncommon mentality.


4) You get a $500 tax break for commuting on a bike -- this is my favorite idea, and BC has come the closest I've ever seen to doing something like this. There, if the item is environmentally friendly (like a bicycle), there is no provincial sales tax ... or at least that's how it was several years ago. However, knowing governments, I think what BC is doing is probably the closest we'll ever see to that idea. Governments want us to buy fuel for our cars because there is such a massive fuel tax on it ... which goes straight into their pockets. There's no way the government is going to strongly encourage people to stop driving ... they'd be cutting off a significant source of income.


5) Every commuter must use a 1/2-size car for commute -- I'm not even sure what a 1/2-size car is! But I do know that California has car pool lanes where only cars with 2 or 3 or more passengers can drive ... to encourage car pooling. Is that what you mean?

6) Cars (except for buses, taxes) are outlawed in cities -- not only will this one not happen, but it is completely impractical, and anyone who was in favor of this idea has never been employed in their city centers. If motorized vehicles (except for buses, taxes) are outlawed ... how are supplies going to be delivered to the businesses? A bicycle courier can't haul 1000 lbs of paper, several cubicals, a collection of desk chairs, a set of computers ...... !! And if you mean cities in general ... the whole city, not just the downtown area, it is even more ridiculous! Suppose you buy a new sofa? How are you going to get it to your home if there are no vehicles allowed to drive? I think vehicles can be limited ..... for example, certain streets could be closed to through traffic, or turned into bus/bicycle streets, or something, but outlawing cars altogether will never happen ... and shouldn't happen.

I've encouraged people I know to reduce wasteful car use and have tried to lead by example-- I use a car very rarely.

I also wrote a letter, not to a politician, but to the Wall Street Journal. :) Letters to the editor can be a good way for us to get ideas out there and have a little bit of influence on the public.

From the other poll:

1) Your town/city puts bike lanes EVERYWHERE, separated by concrete lines from the cars -- fortunately that is one that won't happen except perhaps in a very limited way like perhaps across a bridge ... it's too expensive for a city to consider setting up. As things stand now, many cities consider paved bike paths (MUPs), or paved shoulders, or slightly wider roads, to be too expensive never mind forking out for all the time and effort to create baracades.


I really don't understand why everyone's so against this idea. Sure, the initial cost would be a little high, but in the long run it would be a great feature. ONLY bikes would be allowed there (there's still a sidewalk), and cars couldn't double park in it, or even cross the lane. I see little problem with this (yes, other than cost).



2) Every car becomes electric/solar powered -- your local city doesn't have a say in this, that's up to the car companies. And until electric/solar powered cars drop down to about the $2000-$5000 price range, they will be out of reach for most people.


Sure they, and the state DO have a say in it. There's a few ways:

1. Offer car companies that sell those cars tax breaks to do business in your city/state.
2. Start making the city, such as garages, more electric-car friendly. (e.g. put "plugs" for recharging the cars in parking garages, encourage gas stations and companies to do the same, etc).
3. Offer tax breaks to citizens who buy an electric car (Don't know about all of your cities, but in NYC we had to pay a hefty tax on top of state tax).



3) 50% of the commuters switch to bikes -- for this you'd have to get at least 50% of businesses on board with excellent bicycle storage facilities, showers, etc., AND you'd have to have all these businesses give incentives for cycling to work as much as possible. This option might be possible ... but with the general supersizing of our population I think it would be an uphill battle to convince that many people to exercise. Despite the increase in gasoline prices, one of my impoverished co-workers (single mother trying to make ends meet) at one of the jobs I have thinks she needs to buy a car so that she can drive the 3 blocks to work because that is too far to walk. And that is not an uncommon mentality.


I think there's a few ways to do this:
1. People are obsessed with "losing weight" and getting in shape, and the city can help fund programs that encourage users to walk/bike to work, or even take public transportation which increases walking over driving to work. Offer companies incentives to have their employees participate.
2. Terrorism. It's sad, but it appears that this is actually the only thing that's making inroads in the gov't with respect to finding alternatives to oil (mid-east oil in particular, but they're looking at full alternative fuels). I don't want this one to ever be used but, *sigh* it'd probably get some people to stop buying as much gas (some).



4) You get a $500 tax break for commuting on a bike -- this is my favorite idea, and BC has come the closest I've ever seen to doing something like this. There, if the item is environmentally friendly (like a bicycle), there is no provincial sales tax ... or at least that's how it was several years ago. However, knowing governments, I think what BC is doing is probably the closest we'll ever see to that idea. Governments want us to buy fuel for our cars because there is such a massive fuel tax on it ... which goes straight into their pockets. There's no way the government is going to strongly encourage people to stop driving ... they'd be cutting off a significant source of income.


Maybe, but if you combine the health, environment and terrorism-safety aspects, you just might get that.



5) Every commuter must use a 1/2-size car for commute -- I'm not even sure what a 1/2-size car is! But I do know that California has car pool lanes where only cars with 2 or 3 or more passengers can drive ... to encourage car pooling. Is that what you mean?


It's a car that limits the space-impact that large cars, with ONE person in it, have on the environment. Here's an example: http://www.commutercars.com/images/sohappytogetherZenith.jpg

And Mr. Environment Celebrity, George Clooney, now drives one:
See Clooney's Car! (http://www.thecelebrityblog.com/2005/10/george-clooney-spotted-in-tango-environmental-friendly-car/)



6) Cars (except for buses, taxes) are outlawed in cities -- not only will this one not happen, but it is completely impractical, and anyone who was in favor of this idea has never been employed in their city centers. If motorized vehicles (except for buses, taxes) are outlawed ... how are supplies going to be delivered to the businesses? A bicycle courier can't haul 1000 lbs of paper, several cubicals, a collection of desk chairs, a set of computers ...... !! And if you mean cities in general ... the whole city, not just the downtown area, it is even more ridiculous! Suppose you buy a new sofa? How are you going to get it to your home if there are no vehicles allowed to drive? I think vehicles can be limited ..... for example, certain streets could be closed to through traffic, or turned into bus/bicycle streets, or something, but outlawing cars altogether will never happen ... and shouldn't happen.

Sorry, i misstated this one. What I meant was something like this:
1. Public transportation is allowed
2. Taxi services are allowed
3. Delivery services are allowed
4. Anyone living in the city can register for a one-two day pass for things such as moving, etc.
5. bikes are allowed
6. the city would build parking garages surrounding the city for residents to store their cars

if you've ever been in NYC, this one would seem like the best idea you've ever heard. :)

I really don't understand why everyone's so against this idea. Sure, the initial cost would be a little high, but in the long run it would be a great feature. ONLY bikes would be allowed there (there's still a sidewalk), and cars couldn't double park in it, or even cross the lane. I see little problem with this (yes, other than cost).
Have you ever been in a city? How can such a thing even be implemented unless it was built completely underground or overhead as would be required for a fully separated infrastucture.

Al

I checked the letter writing box.

Besides the good options mentioned in the poll, I think one other thing we can all do quite easily is to begin planting the idea that bikes are a viable alternative to cars in many regions. People will be looking for alternatives if gas prices continue their climb. Few cagers will pause to think about a bike unless somebody plants that idea in their heads.

I really don't understand why everyone's so against this idea. Sure, the initial cost would be a little high, but in the long run it would be a great feature. ONLY bikes would be allowed there (there's still a sidewalk), and cars couldn't double park in it, or even cross the lane. I see little problem with this (yes, other than cost).


1. There's no room for that kind of system in most cities! In many parts of the cities I have lived in and visited, the lanes are already extremely narrow and there are practically no sidewalks. Where would something like this go?

2. What about the intersections? ... As you say, cars couldn't cross the lane, but they have to at the intersections ... and then you run into the biggest problem with riding on the sidewalks. Cars aren't looking for cyclist way over there, and if cyclists just pop out into the street, turning cars won't expect them and will hit them ... especially if there's some sort of baracade to block the view. Or, the other possibility would be that you'd have to have gates at every intersection to prevent the bicycles from popping out onto the street unexpectedly. Gates at every intersection would slow cyclists down incredibly!! There's a MUP here that has them ... I rode it once, and decided that I wouldn't do that again if I could help it because my average speed was about 4 mph with all the stopping and starting. If there were gates I can guarantee there would be very few cyclists who would use them!

3. What's to prevent other forms of transportation from using them? The idea behind bicycle paths was to have a place to ride bicycles ... and then roller bladers needed a place to do their thing, so rather than building a roller blader path, they allowed them on the bicycle paths. Then skateboarders wanted a place to do their thing ... and so on, and so on ... believe me if a designated bicycle path were built, it wouldn't be long before all sorts of methods of transportation were using it.

4. What's wrong with riding with the traffic?

I was involved with a transportation committee for the city I used to live in for a year or two. During all our meetings I suggested and strongly supported cycling-friendly ideas, and improved mass transportation. During all our meetings my ideas were met with big smiles and nods, and many people told me they really liked the ideas and thought that was the direction we should go. During our last few meetings we were given hints of what the new plan was for the city, and many of the cycling-friendly and improved mass transportation ideas were mentioned.

Then the powers-that-were put together the final document and sent it around to everyone involved. It didn't look anything like what I thought we had discussed, and only one of my cycling-friendly ideas was half-heartedly implemented.

I haven't been involved in anything like that since. Why waste my time?


Now I just ride and talk to the people I meet about how great cycling is ... and maybe some others will catch the excitement of a wonderful sport.
I had a similar experience and responded similarly.

1. There's no room for that kind of system in most cities! In many parts of the cities I have lived in and visited, the lanes are already extremely narrow and there are practically no sidewalks. Where would something like this go?

2. What about the intersections? ... As you say, cars couldn't cross the lane, but they have to at the intersections ... and then you run into the biggest problem with riding on the sidewalks. Cars aren't looking for cyclist way over there, and if cyclists just pop out into the street, turning cars won't expect them and will hit them ... especially if there's some sort of baracade to block the view. Or, the other possibility would be that you'd have to have gates at every intersection to prevent the bicycles from popping out onto the street unexpectedly. Gates at every intersection would slow cyclists down incredibly!! There's a MUP here that has them ... I rode it once, and decided that I wouldn't do that again if I could help it because my average speed was about 4 mph with all the stopping and starting. If there were gates I can guarantee there would be very few cyclists who would use them!

3. What's to prevent other forms of transportation from using them? The idea behind bicycle paths was to have a place to ride bicycles ... and then roller bladers needed a place to do their thing, so rather than building a roller blader path, they allowed them on the bicycle paths. Then skateboarders wanted a place to do their thing ... and so on, and so on ... believe me if a designated bicycle path were built, it wouldn't be long before all sorts of methods of transportation were using it.

4. What's wrong with riding with the traffic?

In Manhattan at least, bike lanes on every street would require the elimination of on street parking. This would also have the benefit of reducing the number of cars in the city. Intersections could be handled with extra stop lights. Bike cops could police use of the bike lanes and a hard buffer could prevent car encroachment from cars. Since these lanes are for transport and not recreation, use of skateboards should be prohibited. Not sure about in-line skates.

Intersections could be handled with extra stop lights. Bike cops could police use of the bike lanes and a hard buffer could prevent car encroachment from cars.
Where before the intersection does this hard stop end?
What about the intersections today that don't have lights?
If you imagine the real implementation of this it becomes a nightmare of complexity and massive expense.
Al

I "live with" about 7 other people out here in Newport, which, aside from being completely full of drivers that I would love to see take a wrong turn into the Ocean, would be an excellent place to bike. Everything you could possibly need, including the workplace of 7 of the 8 of us, is within easy bike reach, NONE of those 7 are more than 8 miles from work. And on their way to work, they each pass grocery stores, hardware stores, gourmet restaurants, etc, along with 2 dunkin donuts each... It's all here!

And we're all friends, so they're willing to listen to me when I talk about bikes. I'm starting with getting them to bike to work. I think the easiest will be the guy that walks to work now, followed by my girlfriend, whose car is on it's last legs anyways. But it's tough; they're polite and willing to listen, but a real change in lifestyle really cant be forced on anyone. I can only hope my example of bike commuting and car use avoidance will get them started too.

Not gonna change the rest of the island or the government, but can find some good bike routes for those guys.

Where before the intersection does this hard stop end?
What about the intersections today that don't have lights?
If you imagine the real implementation of this it becomes a nightmare of complexity and massive expense.
Al

Almost all intersections in Manhattan have lights.

Rather than barricaded-off bicycle paths, I'd rather see the set-up that Canberra, Australia has. I was quite impressed with that.

I believe Davis, CA and Boulder, CO both had a similar set-up.

I sent to the Bloomington Minnesota planning division, the Richfield Minnesota public works department, and the Minneapolis Minnesota Bicycle Advisory Committee, a CD containing a copy of the "City of Cyclists" video that I heard about on Bikeforums. I'm sure it was a waste of time, but that was such a good movie I just had to share.

I had another idea that keeps coming back to me. I have found in my limited time on the street a number of spots where just a little modification would make a big difference in the ease of travelling by bicycle. Usually it is things like an extra two feet of width in the right-most lane, or a cut in a curb that would allow easier access to a parking lot from a less busy street. I thought of making a web site of such places in my own town, putting it up with a few examples, and then inviting others to provide their examples from all over town. Then, if I could get enough, I could present them to the city's bicycle advisory committee and see if anyone would do anything about them.

Usually it is things like an extra two feet of width in the right-most lane


This is exactly what Canberra, Davis, and Boulder have ... except theirs are "lanes". And I like that idea very much.

You can see a picture of the Canberra one on this site:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/Australia/Australian_Capital_Territory/Canberra-1878455/Transportation-Canberra-MISC-BR-1.html
(this is not my photo or site, so I'm not sure what all is on it, but it does have a great shot of the street)
http://p.vtourist.com/2675861-Pic_fromhttppicsblemingsorggallerybcbr2005-

I suggested (in letters, calls, documents, etc. etc. until I was blue in the face) paving the shoulders of some of the outlying roads within the city limits of Winnipeg when they were in the process of paving those streets anyway (one in particular was gravel for the first few years I lived there). They paved the road, but left the shoulders gravel. I just don't get it ... it's not like they had to widen the road or remove buildings or sidewalks ... all they had to do was to add a foot or two of pavement on either side of the road when they were out there paving it anyway.

If cities are that reluctant to spend the money for a tiny bit of extra pavement, there's no way they would go to all the trouble to build barricaded or completely separated lanes.

I have written to the editor of my local paper, I am in contact with my local transportation authority, learning about local plans to encourage bicycle commuting, and appeared on MSNBC Wednesday morning promoting bicycle commuting. Write your local paper and try to get a report onto your local TV or radio station. Promote the financial and physical benefits, because if people were considering the environment they wouldn't be driving alone in SUVs.:rolleyes:

Almost all intersections in Manhattan have lights.
Really? I've been in Manhattan a few dozen times and I clearly remember lots of side alleys, parking entrances, etc. being used a lot by vehicles. I can't imagine the complexity of putting a traffic light at each and every one.
Al

London is doing it, and I think Toronto is dreaming of it... taxing non-commercial car traffic in the downtown core.

What am I doing to make it happen? I'm riding my bike.

I contacted the Hall Improvement Staff to see if we can have bike racks installed in the dorms at Northern Illinois University. Right now, they don't even allow you to park your bike in the public press room, etc. Vertical racks would be great and would take up very little room that isn't used anyway.

Since these lanes are for transport and not recreation, use of skateboards should be prohibited.

Not a valid assumption. Perhaps you've never heard of a longboard. As the name suggests, they are very long, therefore useless for doing tricks. Their only purpose is transportation.

It might be tempting to call them toys, not transportation, but isn't that the viewpoint that some have about bikes?

Like Machka, I wonder, what's wrong with riding with the traffic?

Really? I've been in Manhattan a few dozen times and I clearly remember lots of side alleys, parking entrances, etc. being used a lot by vehicles. I can't imagine the complexity of putting a traffic light at each and every one.
Al

There are certainly plenty of parking garages but I have no idea where you saw all the side alleys. I don't see many in the Manhattan I live in. Those I do see are normally too narrow for a car.

Really? I've been in Manhattan a few dozen times and I clearly remember lots of side alleys, parking entrances, etc. being used a lot by vehicles. I can't imagine the complexity of putting a traffic light at each and every one.
Al

There are certainly plenty of parking garages but I have no idea where you saw all the side alleys. I don't see many in the Manhattan I live in. Those I do see are normally too narrow for a car.

I'm not trying to be a troll here, but one reason I'm not real active in trying to change the infrastructure is that I'm basically satisfied with the way things are now. I think streets and roads are great places to ride bikes.

There's only one problem I see with the system we have now. There are too many cars! In the long run, higher gas prices and better alternatives will probably take care of that problem. In the short run, I would like to see cars discouraged with lower speed limits and less convenient parking.

I do think that convincing cagers that the alternatives (bikes, walking and public transportation) are feasible is a good direction for carfree advocacy.

I chose "other" I am on the citizen board for dowtown revitalization of the small town where we have a retail shop. One of the items on the list is getting better access for recreational cyclists into the downtown area from a local rails to trails. We are looking at the big picture to eventually include housing opportunities in the downtown area. Currently there is only one apartment building and it is seniors only. This is a fairly small town with no mass transit. But it has the potential to become a commuter/bedroom community for a couple of larger nearby cities. I hope to be able to have my own housing in the downtown in the near future, it would make for a short commute, like 1/2 block:p there are grocery stores and most necessary shopping is with in easy cycling distance.

Aaron:)

This is exactly what Canberra, Davis, and Boulder have ... except theirs are "lanes". And I like that idea very much.

You can see a picture of the Canberra one on this site:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/Australia/Australian_Capital_Territory/Canberra-1878455/Transportation-Canberra-MISC-BR-1.html
(this is not my photo or site, so I'm not sure what all is on it, but it does have a great shot of the street)
http://p.vtourist.com/2675861-Pic_fromhttppicsblemingsorggallerybcbr2005-


We have those all over the place here in the greater Boston area. Cars drive in and double-park in those ALL the time. And they're frequently crossing them to turn as well (way before they've reached the intersection). That's why I suggested making that white dotted line a concrete one. It's the only thing that would stop cars from taking over the bike lane.

There are certainly plenty of parking garages but I have no idea where you saw all the side alleys. I don't see many in the Manhattan I live in. Those I do see are normally too narrow for a car.
Hey, I'm not trying to argue the semantics of the exact naming of all the 'intersections' and 'driveways' that are in Manhattan, just that they are there and there are lots of them. Gas stations, small side streets, parking garages, etc.

My point was with all these in place how can one seriously suggest putting barriers separated BLs everywhere.

Al

Setting a good example for the motorists helps. Interacting directly with motorists when it will not freak them out is good. No polititian in this area has gotten me angry enough to waste cycling time on activism.