Comments on: Automobiles dominate Climate Protection Conference Expo, sessions provide whole transportation solutions

By: elliott

elliott — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:42:59 +0000

atx406,
The pass thing was a joke. The only way I was given a pass for Friday was because I was media otherwise you had to be put on a waiting list since their website said the panel registrations were full. I only made two session in the afternoon but both were at best half full rooms. Seemed like a way to discourage more people from attending.

The tattoo show folks looked like they were having way more fun!

By: atx406

atx406 — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:16:22 +0000

I peeked in there for a sec, but did not have a pass. I laughed a little to myself, realizing that there were likely ten times more bike riders at the tattoo convention in the next conference room over.

Also, thank you for covering it. I was curious as to what went on in there other than the city’s carbon footprint calculator unveiling.

By: elliott

elliott — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:16:50 +0000

BikeATX,
As I mentioned, the Robert Spillar lead panels were much more well rounded and encouraging. All forms of transportation were discussed and the focus was very much on transit, bikes, walking, and land use patterns. The down side was this was a discussion you had to seek out to attend and only occurred twice for an hour during the whole conference. If you did not attend these sessions, the electric and gas powered cars would be your take away as the solution from this conference.

I think part of the problem is that it was organized by Austin Energy, our city owned utility. They tend to be technology focused in their actions. There is nothing wrong with that and technological improvements have to be part of the equation. I just think leaving out the major alternatives and not providing nuts and bolts education to the public about how to actually live sustainably is a missed opportunity. Maybe they’ll think a little broader next year.

By: BikeATX

BikeATX — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:54:36 +0000

First I want to say, I am glad you attended… and covered it.
Thanks so much. We needed somebody there!

It is very disheartening to hear about the limited vision on the solutions presented by the show, the panel, and the City of Austin. Especially since we, as a city, are actually investing nicely into some bicycle infrastructure. I am unsure if it was just glossed over when planning the show, or just ignored completely.

As you mentioned, there is no real silver bullet to our looming problems in this city (and country) with traffic, pollution and over population… but as pointed out by a number of other international conferences, the bicycle is and should be an integral part of the solution.

I believe the real first step we need to take is getting the population in Austin less hostile towards bicycles and alternative forms of transport. There is a larger U.S. cultural aversion to alternatives, it stems from our historical legacy in the automobile industry… but at some point we need to give up the ghost.

My question, is how do we convince people to have a more logical conversation?
How can we convince people that, alternatives, such as the bicycle, to single occupancy vehicles are easier and less expensive to take on?

I guess I’m just sad it was a missed opportunity to have that conversation at this conference.