On Wednesday, January 21st, one day after the inauguration of our new president, former mayor of Bogotá Enrique Peñalosa visited Texas to serve as guest speaker at the BikeTexas Shifting Gears Luncheon and urban bike ride. Newly elected State Senator Wendy Davis hosted the luncheon, filling in for State Sen. Rodney Ellis.
People from all over the state came to hear Mr. Peñalosa speak. The audience included State Representatives Ellen Cohen, Linda Harper-Brown and Elliott Naishtat; city council members and staff from Austin, San Marcos, Elgin and Kyle; transportation and public works officials from as far away as Fort Worth; and representatives from CAMPO, Capital Metro and TxDOT. Sponsors represented included Envision Central Texas; Texas Gas Service; Downtown Austin Alliance; BNSF Railway; Bowman-Melton Associates, Inc.; Bicycle Sport Shop; and Richardson Bike Mart.
Mr. Peñalosa transformed Bogotá with alternative transit, enhanced public spaces, and sidewalks, bike paths and pedestrian streets, and his presentation included transformative images of urban transportation accomplishments from around the world. Undaunted by the challenges facing Texas legislators, state agencies, and the commuting public, Mr. Peñalosa energized the crowd and challenged citizens and officials alike with his acknowledgment that transportation and urban development require political solutions.
The inspiring photos included in his presentation combated traditional notions of progress and development, and served as the luncheon’s proof in the pudding that political solutions had been achieved elsewhere, and could be achieved here in Texas. The crowd’s visions of simple childhood pleasures from riding bikes with friends transformed into “political solutions” for less highway congestion, healthier citizens and a cleaner environment.
After the presentations, speeches, and photo ops, every “political solution” begs for action, and as always, BikeTexas was Shifting Gears and ready to ride! The procession of about 40 cyclists, led by State Sen. Davis and including Rep. Harper-Brown, made its way through the Capital City on an urban ride highlighting bike and pedestrian facilities such as the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge and the Lance Armstrong Bikeway. For those short miles, Mr. Peñalosa’s dream was alive and well in Austin, Texas.
To see the pictures from the event, click here. To see the Powerpoint presentation, click here.