A small COG in a rather large machine


So, I'm finally getting around to writing about my experience at the National Bike Summit.  A bit late, but it's given me some time to reflect on the experience.  After all, it's on thing to visit the Capitol, and it's quite another to be inside the Capitol lobbying our Representatives (staff actually, but you get the point).  It's kind of overwhelming. 

The National Bike Summit is organized by the League of American Bicyclists, the oldest cycling advocacy group in the country.  Over 800 people attended the event, and all but one state (Alaska) was represented. 





Over a dozen of us from Indiana took time out of our schedules to stand up for cycling.  I traveled with 3 other members of INDYCOG, and  Nancy from Bicycle Indiana did a great job organizing, and scheduling meetings with our Reps.  

The point of the Summit is to ask Congress to maintain funding for bike, and pedestrian infrastructure.  These funds are seemingly always in jeopardy, but with the help of the League our voice has become stronger, and more unified.

To a person, everyone will tell you (especially behind closed doors) that infrastructure for alternative transportation is a good thing.  The question usually comes down to "how do we pay for it".  It always comes down to money.  In the last transportation bill, the money budgeted for bike/ped projects amounted to 1.5% of the budget; yet walking, or biking represent 12% of all trips taken in the U.S.  Add to that the fact that those trips account for 14% off all traffic fatalities, and you get the picture that we still have a lot of work to do.



My big take away from the Summit?  This is something we need to be doing all year long.  It's easy to see why there are professional lobbyists.  It's a full time job working to make sure your friends on the Hill don't forget about you.  

Locally, we have a great partner in our Mayor, and fantastic (mostly volunteer) local groups like Bicycle Indiana, and INDYCOG. I've never been more optimistic about the future of cycling, and I've never been so aware of how much there is left to do.  As I write this there is a complete streets bill being debated by the City.  Passage would ensure that bikes don't get left out of future planning (there's even a petition on the INDYCOG website).

I think it would be great if everyone that loved bikes was involved, even just a little.  Educate yourself about these groups, and what they're working on.  You may even want to join.  Membership funds are a big part of what makes this work possible.  They do the leg work, send the emails and make the phone calls so you don't have to.   All you have to do is ride your bike.

I look forward to the day when that's all any of us have to do.

Ride on.




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