Activism is more than clicking “Like” on Facebook

In 2009 opinion writer Stu Bykofsky of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote a series of columns about bicyclists and bicycle lanes. You would have thought that bicyclists were the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse and bicycle lanes were the road they traveled. One response was the creation of the Philadelphia Bicycle Insurrection on Facebook which garnered over 1600 people who followed the page. It can now be reported that page and the website have been shut down.

This was frustrating and tragic, 1600 people, including bicycle shop owners, advocacy groups, and cycling clubs made up this group and there was real potential. A group of bicyclists who could work outside of the system with the potential to engage the public in a manner not seen in Philadelphia. Unfortunately nothing came of it.

While the creator of the site may have had the best of intentions he made the same mistake that most advocates make, failure to follow through and failure to use your resources effectively, especially when it comes to volunteers. Anyone can create a page on Facebook and anyone can click “Like”, but what lacks is having inspired leadership who comes to the table with ideas, follows through with them, and follows through with the ideas of others.

This was a lost opportunity that may not be seen again for a long time.

A Call to Arms – After Action Report

Councilman Bill Greenlee has agreed to table his bill requiring a vote from the Philadelphia City Council on the installation of bicycle lanes, for the moment. While consistency and transparency was the battle cry of Council members Green, Greenlee, and DiCicco when it came to installing new bicycle lanes. Obfuscation and opacity was the process used in the attempt to move this bill forward.

The Time Line

This bill was presented Thursday May 26, on the verge of the Memorial Day weekend in the hopes that no one would notice it. When the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia did, the bill was moved to a fast track vote for June 2, announced on May 31, again trying to take advantage of the Memorial Day weekend. When that didn't work the bill was moved from being last on the agenda to the middle of the agenda, during the committee meeting.

The Response

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia should be commended for making effective use of e-mail ad social media to get the word out that created over 400 e-mails to Streets Committee members. As well as Twitter to update and alert anyone planning on attending the meeting on June 2.

The Committee

During the actual meeting Council Members Green, Greenlee, and DiCicco were dismissive and contemptuous of anyone who came to speak, including the representative from the mayors office. 60 of the people who came to speak were not considered part of the general public and were instead referred to as members of the BCGP. DiCicco claimed he only got negative comments about the bike lanes and Green said bike lanes have nothing to do with traffic or public safety.

What would I do?

Its only a matter of time before Councilman Frank DiCicco finds another patsy. This is his second attempt to dismantle bicycling infrastructure and try to pass punitive bills against cyclists and I'm sure it won't be his last. I still believe that in the future any response should include a Courteous Mass protest ride past the home of a bills sponsor and includes a stop at a nearby post office for everyone to mail letters to the council members involved. Along with a media alert to ensure that their actions can't be hidden from the public.

Save the Date - Breaking Away

On Wednesday, June 8 the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia will have an open air screening of the 1979 classic film Breaking Away, complete with coal fired pizza and ice cream. This film follows cycling obsessed Dave Stoller (Dennis Christopher)a recent high school gradate and his three friends Mike (Dennis Quaid), Cyril (Daniel Stern), and Mooch (Jackie Earle Haley) as they try to figure out the next phase of their lives as adults. This New York Times review accurately sums up Breaking Away without any spoilers. Breaking Away won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and in 2006 the American Film Institute placed Breaking Away as the eighth most inspirational movie in 100 years.

One of the frustrations I have with Philadelphia is a lack of a bicycle culture, unless you are into riding with a club and centuries. I hope that this becomes a monthly summer time event and that the BCGP will consider some additional films. Such as RAD starring Nichole Kidman, BMX Bandits, American Flyers, and the classic love story between and man and his bicycle, Pee Wee's Big Adventure.

Reading Viaduct – The next Highline?

In 2011 New York City will complete work on the Highline a 1.45 mile long section of abandoned railroad track that has been converted into a pedestrian walkway. This project has created a lot of new growth in a community bringing tourists and local residents to walk along it, as well as new businesses and residences.

In 2003 a group of Philadelphia residents undertook the daunting task to transform the Reading Viaduct into a similar green space. You my be familiar with this section of abandoned section of railroad track if you commute into Philadelphia via SEPTA commuter trains you've seen this location, its a raised section of track that runs through a blighted area. The Reading Viaduct project would help revitalize a community that needs green space, create infrastructure, and bring new development with the same effect as the Highline did. However unlike the Highline it would allow for a wide range of users including bicyclist, instead of pedestrians only.

Hopefully the city of Philadelphia will get behind this project to make it a part of our community.

When is a bike lane not a bike lane – Part II

The answer remains the same, when its in Philadelphia.

If you read my Call to Arms post, you are aware that the Philadelphia City Council is attempting to pass a bill that would require City Council approval for any new bicycle lanes to be installed. Something that is not required for bus stops or new lanes for cars. Now the City Council is fast tracking the bill for a vote on Wednesday, June 2 with hearings at 2pm. Giving the public only that time to provide input.

This is the sort of underhanded brand of politics that gives Philadelphia a bad name. There are far greater problems in Philadelphia than this and the deliberate attempt the City Council to prevent discussion makes it even worse. All this will do is create piecemeal development of infrastructure subject to the whim's of politicians. If City Council members want to score some points to get reelected they should focus on real issues like the schools, crime, or the trash that gets dumped in vacant lots and parks.

I hope everyone will make an effort attend the hearing and speak out against this bill. For more information about the hearing please visit this site. If this bill goes through the ride I hope someone will organize the ride I proposed.