Input Please

[Deanna]

I've taken the plunge and put my name on the ballot for the BOD of our local bike coalition. I know what's expected of me and why I want to do it. I'd just like to know what you expect from your local coalition. I'd be interested in your ideas from the perspective of all the different ways you experience cycling and cyclists: recreational, racing, commuting, even as other road users--pedestrians and motorists.

Thanks!

[Pax]

I'm a big fan of local coalitions who support the idea of cycling being a way to get one less car on the road. Supporting bike path, possibly lockers, bike friendly public transit,... Anything that can commuters and those trying to cut back on big-oil domination succeed. Just my .02

[Geonz]

Around here our biggest job is to try to connect people that actually know about cycling with the people that make the decisions about the roads and paths and routes and all that good stuff.
Another job is to help the "powers that be" *and* the assorted subgroups of road and path users understand some of the sometimes counter-intuitive needs/wants of the other groups, whether it's "what are those cyclists doing on the streets when there is a sidewalk?" people or "we don't need bike lanes, just educate everybody!" people.
Perhaps mainly it's being present and visible ... one of our advocacy group's main goals is to help the general public perceive cycling as normal behavior (which is, of course, *not* the same as saying cyclists are normal people ;) :))