Alright everyone, we have all had our chance to vent about the NOTO owners behavior and ignorance. Now lets think about how to make the best of this situation. If we let these bad actors define the narrative for the TWLTL conversion as Northside business owners get bike lanes foisted on them, then Bikies boycott them we are motivating the business owners along the next contentious project to organize harder against us. I have listened to enough Madison Talk radio to know that there will be no analysis of the business owners responsibility for any negative outcome that may occur. So long as the outcome is negative, that is what will get press, and nothing else.
So if we want this to be the beginning, not the end, of the most overdue bike improvements, _WE_ need to find ways to help this be a successful experience for businesses. Let me start that process by sharing here what has appeared on NOTOs facebook page: --- Dear Marsha, Yes, I feel as badly as you do. What a stupid thing to do. I felt threatened and under attack, once again, by the city. You represented the city to me and I reacted poorly. I don't know what the answers are to this city's problems but I do know that you are not responsible for them. I am sorry for the hurt that I caused you. When you can forgive me, I want to tell you how sorry I am. John ### I also posted this on their facebook page: --- John, the engineering report goes into pretty good detail about the traffic impacts: A slight reduction in automobile traffic is projected as a result of diversion at Aberg during rush hour. Backups of 500 feet or less are anticipated at two intersections during rush hour. I would note that the traffic volumes on N Sherman peaked in the late 90's at around 20,000 vpd, and dropped to 17,000 more recently. If you can survive a drop of 3,000 vpd on N. Sherman, you can probably survive what might occur as a result of the reconfiguration. You have two factors working in your favor in this case: The economy is picking up, and the increased bicycle connectivity and ped friendliness will induce for ped and bicycle traffic. What this all means for your business is mostly up to you and the other Northside businesses. If you embrace the changes and welcome the potential new ped and bike traffic, you have the potential to benefit by inducing more local business. If you choose to respond negatively, I believe the negative energy you put out will hurt your business and the property values along the corridor. So my question for you is do you want to take on the responsibility that will be required to benefit from this situation? If so, I am willing to help. I don't know if you realize it, but I have been pointing out to bicyclists who are offended at your actions that boycotting your business hurts their cause too - because if this conversion creates negative press, it makes the next conversion that much more difficult. I believe it is in both of our interests to work together for our mutual benefit. I hope you choose to make the most of this conversion. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or needs associated with the new configuration. ### To which John replied: --- Thanks, Matt, anyone who thinks that I am anti-bike should look in my garage. I even go through dumpsters to pick out bikes to rehab and give away. I love bikes! John ### _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
