Starting a bike/ped advocacy group

[shootingstar]

I'm sure you would be open to some groups wanting to go off to do their own thing ..but still retain a coalition of common interests.

ie. The university/college cyclists/walkers might want to form their own group for a range of reasons since they could offer on-campus events/service to the students. Their funding source might be drawn in the future, from other sources..

It would be useful once your core group is established with its bylaws and membership base, to become a member group of a larger advocacy group for broader campaigns.

You have much energy.

Make your first event and ride a good one! Christmas is coming up...every one is in better spirits..

[tangentgirl]

I have no advice, Melalavi, just kudos. Way to make lemonade!

[Melalvai]

Progress on starting up this group: I've talked with tons of people, we're having our first meeting in 2 weeks.

Related to that, I'm trying to get the speed limit reduced on our road. MoDOT declined, and MoBikeFed advised me to start a petition and get community & local government support and then go back to MoDOT.

I started the petition on Saturday. We already have 70 signatures. I have been amazed at how fast the signatures accumulate without much effort. Some of those who signed have media contacts, and I was interviewed for a newspaper and for the evening news.

The media attention has been good and bad. You know those comments on news reports that I should never ever be allowed to read...they are pretty bad. The evening news didn't even mention my daughter's bike wreck but the comments started off like "Isn't that the road where the girl got hit? They are trying to fix the wrong problem, instead of reducing the speed limit someone needs to tell the girl's parents not to let her bike on the highway" and "highways are for cars". I mostly laugh at the comments--but I really shouldn't read them in the first place--because they are disheartening.

Second, the newspaper reporter talked to the MoDOT engineer who we had first approached about reducing the speed limit. He was quoted as saying I could bring the petition to him if I like, but it wouldn't matter. In other words MoDOT isn't accountable to the people who pay their salaries! That was actually more disheartening than the crazy peoples' comments.

More uplifting has been the responses I get from all the people who say "I saw you on tv last night, great job!" And the comments left on the e-petition. Lots of people want this.

Also uplifting was news that the house I hope we can move into this spring is available--meaning the speed limit on Boundary won't be my problem anymore. Not that I'll give up the fight then, but it won't be quite as personal.

[shootingstar]

Kudos for each baby step towards change, Melavi! Grow your support and don't give up...it's like a bike climb up and down. This ride might last awhile --every advocate understands it's building change for the long term.

And glad that you will have a home in new, better neighbourhood!