Although there was no publicly posted meeting, he definitely met with quite a few people who could be said to represent different areas of the bicycling community. I had a very useful conversation with him via email.
I'm going to cut Soglin some slack on this. He was still putting together his office and management team, and it's damned hard to schedule a meeting with the Mayor that is a good time for the public as well. This item - the abbreviated route - did come before the PBMVC last Tuesday. We got an update from the Parks Commissioner, Kevin Briski, and were able to give input. No one from the public came to speak. The important thing is that the second ride was restored. When planning comes around for another route, or a different type of event, then I hope we will have better input. As to Robert's question about the Chicago Bike the Drive event, I'm going to add a little commentary that didn't make it into the article. Chicago, and many other cities, have multiple events that open streets to non-motorized traffic (and I emphasize that this is not just a bike event.) Bike the Drive - held on Lake Shore Drive - is an early morning ride on a truly scenic stretch of roadway, but it starts at 5:30 am and is over by 9:45 am. http://bit.ly/njUuwc It is aimed exclusively at bicycling, or maybe really fast roller bladers, and you must sign up and pay to participate. Think of it as a fun or charity ride. Chicago also has several Sunday Parkways, also called Open Streets, which are very different events. http://bit.ly/rcAHdB At these events, the pace is slow, casual, and the emphasis is on being out in the street. People walk, dance, play, picnic, talk, stroll, buy, sell, and generally socialize and move around. You can bike, but that is not the primary reason people are out. Open Streets are often held in areas of the city where residents don't have great places to walk and bike, maybe a neighborhood that is park deficient, or is divided by a busy roadway, so it's hard to feel comfortable walking and biking with your family. Sunday Parkways/Open Streets/Ciclovias usually have music, food vendors, community organizations, dancing and exercise, kids activities, information booths, and tons of activity. It's more a Take Back the Streets for One Day than a bike ride. I talked to the reporter about this concept, and have also talked to the Mayor's office and Soglin directly. The final comment in the article was my reflection on that idea - that we should have at least one event in a area of the city that is NOT already bicycle and pedestrian friendly. I think the downtown event is lots of fun, and everyone loved to bike John Nolen and around the downtown, but wouldn't it be great to walk, bike, stroll, and dance in the middle of: Park St, Sherman Ave, Mineral Point Rd, or Cottage Grove Rd? How about having this event in a neighborhood that is under served by trails and parks, or is low income? That would be a very type of event, but would really bring the concept of Open Streets to life. Robbie Webber On Wed, Aug 3, 2011 at 9:49 AM, Matt Logan <[email protected]> wrote: > I ask because back in June the Mayor said he would be meeting with "bikies" > to get their views on Ride the drive. Amanda White volunteered to post the > meeting dates on this list when the Mayor announced them. The fact that > there is no mention of his meeting with bikies in the article only deepens > my concern. Did the Mayor decide it was not important to get the views of > the bicycling community? > > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robbie > Webber > Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2011 9:11 AM > To: Matt Logan > Cc: Bikies > Subject: Re: [Bikies] Ride the Drive to have slightly different route in > September > > I can't find anywhere in the article that says he met with "bikies," so why > do you ask? > >
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