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Grass Routes efforts for Bike Routes/Lanes: The Plan -- Ask |
By Jim Wilson
President LMRA Bicycle Club
Do you live just outside the “Big City”? Do you enjoy bicycling in your smaller town but wish there were some Bike Routes/Lanes in your city? You might live in a community outside Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, or El Paso; a major reason for your choice of residence likely includes the safer cycling. Well there’s more than just reduced traffic in these smaller communities, smaller government and greater emphasis on recreation and quality of life mean you can help bring about greater cycling safety. The first necessary action is the easiest but most overlooked- ASK!
Our elected representatives in the State Capitol and those city council
members in large cities have so many demands for their time it can be
very difficult to properly gain their attention and express the need
for increased bicycle safety. On the state level we’ve the Texas
Bicycle Coalition ( TBC/BikeTexas); they have the daunting task of
advocating cycling legislation to our state representatives.
Luckily,
on the home front, in the smaller cities in which many of us choose to
ride and reside local representatives are more accessible. Many of
these cities greatest tax base is not a large employer but you and I,
the home owner- the concerned resident. Your concern, ideas, and
wishes to enhance the city’s image as a recreationally friendly
community can carry great weight in your local city hall.
The first step to successfully garnering support for a new Bike Route
or Bike Lane in your city- express to your local city council the need
for them. Explain how a Bike Route/Lane will enhance your city’s image
while increasing the safety of both motorists and cyclists alike. Start
by setting up a meeting with your city’s assistant or deputy city
manager; this city staff position can be instrumental in helping you
convey your wishes to city council. City managers have very hectic
schedules, assistant city managers are often more accessible to assist
you.
Some guidelines before you approach your city’s staff (assistant city manager):
- Have a general plan. Where do cyclists already ride? This location
would likely be a great first leg of a Bike Route/Lane network. This
roadway should be a safe place for cyclists and it is best if it is
centrally located in your community as well.
- Emphasize the positive, don’t come in with a “problem”. Something
along the lines of, “This street is already a Bike Route, it is used
everyday by cyclists. These cyclists demonstrate our city’s quality of
life and show we are a recreationally friendly community.” Your
request- that the city should recognize this street is already a Bike
Route, that the city should embrace it as such, and foster the safety
of both cyclists and motorists by designating it a Bike Route/Lane per
TxDOT ordinance.
- Illustrate how this can enhance and show off your city for the
great place it is- note that those cycling through your city at 15-20
mph, rather than 40-60 mph in a car, see the city as the safe,
friendly, community you know it to be.
- Do not take too much ownership for your plan. Have a general plan,
a first route, a general overview for additional routes/lanes to
connect all parks, neighborhoods, and geographical areas but recognize
and accept staff and city council amendments to your plan.
- Ask that the assistant city manager check into the costs of a
first Bike Route. The signs are available from TxDOT at minimal cost.
If the city doesn’t include the labor cost of installing the signs
(those doing this labor are already on city payroll) they’ll find the
cost to be very low.
- Remember! You’re not coming to your city representatives with a problem- just a requested enhancement.
- Start SMALL. While you may want a connected network, the first
step is a singular route/lane to later center a network around. This
first small portion will let them see it, get used to it, and
understand, “hey, this is okay, this is a good thing.” Enhancing what’s
already done, that comes easier later.
- Understand many city staff, and even more city council members are
unaware of cyclists’ needs or rights. They likely know little about the
differences between a route and a lane, they may also be fearful that
establishing such will increase risk. Remind them that cyclists are
already there, that they are a legal vehicle on public roadways, and
that a route or lane will only increase their safety and those around
them. Stay positive in all communications!
You might be pleasantly surprised with your reception and the speed of
the process in your smaller community. Ensure that with each positive
step you stay involved, positive, and make a point of thanking all
those involved for their efforts. City council members in smaller
cities are not politicians but basically volunteers providing for their
community. They are there to help and enhance their city, they’ll
greatly appreciate it if that is your purpose too.
There is no “perfect formula” but the guidelines above have worked well for us in the past. Give it a try, go out there and ASK!
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