http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/04/17/friday-film-fun-the-bicyclists/ The Online Magazine of Austin Cycling Culture Tue, 15 May 2012 00:59:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/04/17/friday-film-fun-the-bicyclists/comment-page-1/#comment-16428 Felipe Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:58:06 +0000 http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=5438#comment-16428 I think there are two trneds happening in the state that both conspire to marginalize investments in bicycling. First, the politics of our state are more divisive and bitter than probably at any point in the state’s history. People feel that Wisconsin is in crisis mode, and it’s all hands on deck to fight over a fundamental vision for what kind of State we want Wisconsin to be, and what role government plays in shaping that vision. It’s a fight over the basic, elementary stuff, like taxes, education and government itself. In this kind of climate, bicycling gets lost. People only have so much energy. If they are engaged in a fight where they truly feel the future of the state is at risk, then they aren’t going to stand up for bicycling infrastructure, even if they are inclined to support it. Also, as you’ve pointed out, bicycling is a non-partisan issue. Conservatives and non-conservatives can support it. An issue that people can agree on, a “feel good” issue if you will, gets lost in all the shouting. Secondly, the roads and streets in our state are falling apart. This is especially apparent in Milwaukee. For the last 20 years our elected leaders have coasted along on deferred maintenance, doing quick fixes (like patching over potholes with black top) rather than more expensive – but unglamorous – reconstruction projects. Your average citizen might not understand the nuances of transportation policy, but they understand concrete chunks falling off bridges and the streets in their neighborhoods practically turning to gravel. They respond not by taking the long view and thinking about sustainable transportation policy. They respond by saying “fix my street now!” On that last point I believe us cyclists have an opportunity for common cause with all road users. No one wants smooth, intact neighborhood streets than us cyclists. What if we formed an “urban transportation lobby” that would advocate for reconstruction of our urban neighborhood streets, rather than construction of new four lane roads out in rural areas? This is something cyclists and motorists could get behind. I think there are two trneds happening in the state that both conspire to marginalize investments in bicycling. First, the politics of our state are more divisive and bitter than probably at any point in the state’s history. People feel that Wisconsin is in crisis mode, and it’s all hands on deck to fight over a fundamental vision for what kind of State we want Wisconsin to be, and what role government plays in shaping that vision. It’s a fight over the basic, elementary stuff, like taxes, education and government itself. In this kind of climate, bicycling gets lost. People only have so much energy. If they are engaged in a fight where they truly feel the future of the state is at risk, then they aren’t going to stand up for bicycling infrastructure, even if they are inclined to support it. Also, as you’ve pointed out, bicycling is a non-partisan issue. Conservatives and non-conservatives can support it. An issue that people can agree on, a “feel good” issue if you will, gets lost in all the shouting. Secondly, the roads and streets in our state are falling apart. This is especially apparent in Milwaukee. For the last 20 years our elected leaders have coasted along on deferred maintenance, doing quick fixes (like patching over potholes with black top) rather than more expensive – but unglamorous – reconstruction projects. Your average citizen might not understand the nuances of transportation policy, but they understand concrete chunks falling off bridges and the streets in their neighborhoods practically turning to gravel. They respond not by taking the long view and thinking about sustainable transportation policy. They respond by saying “fix my street now!” On that last point I believe us cyclists have an opportunity for common cause with all road users. No one wants smooth, intact neighborhood streets than us cyclists. What if we formed an “urban transportation lobby” that would advocate for reconstruction of our urban neighborhood streets, rather than construction of new four lane roads out in rural areas? This is something cyclists and motorists could get behind.

]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/04/17/friday-film-fun-the-bicyclists/comment-page-1/#comment-2878 Austin, Texas News and Information » Blog Archive » GameSetWatch - GDC Austin 2009 Calls For Session Submissions Sat, 18 Apr 2009 01:58:09 +0000 http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=5438#comment-2878 [...] Friday Film Fun: The Bicyclists | Austin On Two Wheels By elliott So I'm not sure how I've been doing this online cycling coverage for so long and never heard of The Bicyclists until last week. It is an online TV series. Austin On Two Wheels - http://austinontwowheels.org/ [...] [...] Friday Film Fun: The Bicyclists | Austin On Two Wheels By elliott So I'm not sure how I've been doing this online cycling coverage for so long and never heard of The Bicyclists until last week. It is an online TV series. Austin On Two Wheels – http://austinontwowheels.org/ [...]

]]> http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/04/17/friday-film-fun-the-bicyclists/comment-page-1/#comment-2875 Quincy Johnson Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:33:29 +0000 http://austinontwowheels.org/?p=5438#comment-2875 Nice Find Elliot......if I didn't have such a hard-on for Austin I'd go up there...... Nice Find Elliot……if I didn’t have such a hard-on for Austin I’d go up there……

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