Matt, I was waiting for what you just wrote to be voiced. It is a really good opportunity to sway some hearts and minds. Thanks very much.
-india On Thu, Mar 21, 2013 at 7:35 PM, Matt Logan <[email protected]> wrote: > Alright everyone, we have all had our chance to vent about the NOTO owner’s > behavior and ignorance. Now let’s 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 owner’s 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 NOTO’s 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 > -- WeAreAllMechanics.com [email protected] Stay connected- Follow WAAM on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/We.Are.All.Mechanics>
_______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
