Bike Transit Indy
Bike Transit Indy is a new cycling advocacy organiztion in Indianapolis. We aim to provide energetic and focused advocacy by cyclists on behalf of cyclists in our city. We will hold our organizing meeting at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 5 at the Liter House (5301 Winthrop Ave,), just off the Monon Trail.
Here is a draft of our mission statement. We offer this as a point of departure, and are open to suggestions for revision an enhancement.
D
R A F T
Mission
Statement for
Bike
Transit Indy
Bike Transit Indy is a new
bicycle advocacy group that is designed to reflect the experiences, interests
and needs of those who rely on cycling for transportation around Indianapolis. While we do not see ourselves as opposed to
or incompatible with recreational cyclists, we do think that we have a
perspective and a set of needs that should be represented in deliberations and
planning for the development of cycling in the city.
In keeping with this perspective,
we hold the following positions:
1.
Cycling
infrastructure must be seen as a necessary and important part of the complete
transportation network of the city. It
is neither a luxury nor an amenity; it exists to serve the real needs of people
trying to navigate the city.
2.
Cycling
infrastructure should be considered as a system, designed to enable cyclists to
travel to all corners of the city, and it should be developed in that way. Accordingly, we need to think about connecting
disconnected sections of our cycling infrastructure, and we need to work
diligently to bring needed infrastructure to areas of the city that have thus
far been neglected.
3.
Our
goal is to provide all cyclists in the city with safe routes to the places they
need to go—to work, to school, to shopping and entertainment venues. We will work to identify the routes and areas
that need new infrastructure, and we will advocate for these needs with city
officials.
4.
The
essentiality of cycling infrastructure means that we should maintain it and
protect it. When it is necessary to
close a bicycle path or lane, we should plan alternative routes well in
advance. We should strive to maintain
our cycling infrastructure so that it is safe and functional.
To advance these positions, we aim to
take the following actions:
1.
To
hold periodic meetings with and for cyclists to identify their needs and to
develop strategies for advocacy.
2.
To
exercise the rights of citizenship in petitioning elected officials and their
agents for changes in policies and investments in infrastructure that will
improve the environment and infrastructure for cycling in the city.
3.
To
maintain a list of needs, including maintenance and infrastructure development,
and to remind city officials of the need to address these needs.
4.
To
monitor city planning for cycling infrastructure, and to lobby for adjustments
that will make new infrastructure effective and integrated into the existing
system.
5.
To
hold our elected officials accountable for their commitments, particularly in
areas to do with sustainability and the quality of life in the city.
6.
To
monitor the Complete Streets Ordinance, and to make sure that the development
and redevelopment of our roads honors this ordinance by ensuring safe passage
for all users.
