Nov 19 2008
Discourse or Complaining
When does discourse become complaining? I read a lot of web sites and blogs about bicycling, whether it be about commuting, fitness training, or recreational riding.
One of the common themes written about is bicycle infrastructure or should I say the lack of or inadequacy of this infrastructure. Many times there are comparisons of the U.S. and how much this country lags behind others countries and in particular the Netherlands. Writers and commenter’s all have their say in what is wrong, but few seem to have a positive course of action or suggestion to make things better.
My suggestion is very simple. Quit complaining and take action! Educate yourself about how to affect change. Learn about the political process, educate others, and make the time to participate. All the discourse in world is nothing but complaining if you do not take action.
A good place to start is by reading Pedal Power written by J. Harry Wray, a political science professor at DePaul University. If you are interested in bicycling, changing the way Americans view cyclist and support the continuing change of bicycling infrastructure, then this book is a great place to start. There are examples of how the process of change has worked successfully, along with the people who brought it about. This is a great book about the politics of bicycling.
After reading this book contact your Senators and representatives in Congress. Encourage your friends to start participating by emailing their representatives and senators too. You have a lot to gain and nothing to lose.
Start with Contact Your Congressperson | Senate Contact Information. Quit complaining and be part of the solution.
Actions always speak louder than words.
I also think that cyclists often spend more time talking between themselves than actually demonstrating what needs to be done and asking for action. It was perhaps the most frustrating thing about being a cyclist in the UK.
If there are to be funds for infrastructure as a result of an attempt to help the economy, this should be an opportunity for work to be done. However, it’s got to be the right work. I’d be very pleased to demonstrate our local infrastructure to your representatives if you can convince them to come and look.
I think another area to research is where you want the infrastructure to be and if it’s really feasible. For example we’ve found that even without parking, the local high street can’t accomodate bike lanes and still be within the minimum legal requirement. Now, you could argue that this mentality is based on the idea that cars take priority for that space, but as that’s a federal decision, not a local one it’s not likely to change, and we can probably use our energy better elsewhere. I’m told by one traffic planner that research like parking surveys can help too- shopkeepers often claim parking is essential for their business, but a survey can apparently show that drivers who park there don’t shop locally, etc.
Good Points. I will put the book on my to read list.
A friend of mine who regularly visits and rides in the Netherlands has done as you have mentioned. Recently she took some of her pictures from The Netherland’s bicycle infrastructure and sent them to local city officials with explanations about the pictures and how they helped make the street more bicycle friendly.
If you need more photos have a look around my website. I also have uploaded quite a few here showing all sorts of different things: http://www.camcycle.org.uk/map/gallery/37/
Thanks David.