I know this is really hard to understand; and I hate it too. But, the only way to get anything changed, is to start getting involved in your local politics. Is there a traffic commission in your city that you can start to attend and begin telling them the importance of bike/pedestrian traffic, bike parking, etc.?

Is there a bike advocacy group that actually gets together and is vocal in local politics? If there is not, start one. It only takes one person to do this. We can all complain about this stuff, but nothing will happen until we band together to make the needs known.

Even when you do make these concerns clear, the powers that be, and people who do not ride a bike will decide not to address them. It takes long term perseverence. I am on the bicycle advisory committee in town that is a an advisory committee to the traffic commission. We have a say in what goes on in out town; sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't. Sometimes, it takes 10-15 years for something to happen and when it does it is a great big deal. At least to cyclists. We have had guidelines in our town for bike parking to be placed at new building construction. These were only guidelines however and did not have to be built. However, the City is now undergoing a complete revision of building codes and it looks very good that the guideline will now be a requirement! It has taken a lot of long years to get here and we are not quite there yet. SO I am crossing my fingers and hoping.

So, get involved. Perhaps things will change in your City.

spoke