Yep, here it is....! At 6:30pm tomorrow evening BBP will open it’s doors to the bicycling community for an ACHD Commissioner Candidate Discussion forum. We expect over 100 bicyclists to pack the building for an opportunity to learn more about the candidates for the upcoming election. We have teamed up with the Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance to make this opportunity possible, and although BBP does not always dive head first into elections and politics, we did not hesitate to make an exception for this one. Several months ago, I pedaled a group of volunteers and BBP supporters down to ACHD Headquarters for an opportunity to give public input on the protected bike lane pilot project. For most, this was the first time they’d attended and ACHD Commissioner meeting, and for some, this was the very first time they made their voices heard to public officials. Unfortunately their civic duty was mostly received with deaf ears and an unwelcoming and intimidating environment. When we arrived at the ACHD building, 20-30 bikes were forced to be leaned and locked to each other because the parking area was designed to fit about 60 cars and about 3 bikes. We entered into a room surrounded by ACHD employees (80-90% men) wearing suits while whispering and chuckling as the public offered testimony. The actual ACHD Commissioners sat perched above the community in the front of the room, and on multiple occasions some disengaged, rolled their eyes, and turned their chairs when receiving testimony by nervous citizens in support of continuing the pilot project. While some Commissioners listened intently to all testimony, and followed up with constructive questions. Others made it quite clear that there was nothing of value that our citizens were bringing to the table. Often times these commissioners would quickly reengage and have questions when a rare opponent of the bike lanes would come to the pulpit; responding with comments about how bikes should be registered and how they’re sick of bicyclists breaking the law (things that do not relate to protected bike lanes, but to show their opposition to bikes being on the road). It was sad for me to see our volunteers, members, and supporters being treated this poorly and unprofessionally by elected officials. Tomorrow will be different. BBP and TVCA will host an event, where everyone will be treated fairly, where we will be sitting at the same level, where vocabulary won’t be used to isolate and intimidate folks unfamiliar with traffic and ACHD talk. BBP has always sought to remove barriers, pull back the curtains, and eliminate the smoke and mirrors that block so many people from opportunity and empowering experiences. BBP is a 501c3 nonprofit(a classification that limits political activity) and cannot tell you who to vote for, but we can provide an opportunity for learning and awareness to enable you to make your own decision. TVCA does have the ability to advise on a candidate because they have a 501c4 (more politically able) component to their organization. This presents a great opportunity for the bicycling community to hear from 2 different perspectives from 2 different organizations. BBP will also provide a summary of the issues for those who aren’t able to attend. It will be packed here, and there is a chance we will reach capacity, so I do recommend arriving early. This is a good thing. The candidates will arrive to a place with over 100 bikes parked out front (we will provide plenty of bike parking). They will walk into a room with bicycles and tools on the wall. They will be in a building that has donated 1000s of bicycles to the community in need (people whose only transportation is a bike). They will be sitting at the same level and looking into the faces of a diverse, thoughtful, and passionate bicycle community. It will not be out intention to intimidate them. It will be our intention to introduce them to who we are, that we do exist, and that we do vote. By doing this we will not only discover which candidate will best serve the bicycling community, we will educate all of them about the thoughts, concerns, ideas, and value of the bicycling community. (For the concerned individual who thinks we’re “pushing back” against a different venue) This is why we have not switched to a larger venue at a location that does not capture the essence of biking in Boise. We could easily have booked a larger room in some weird building that doesn’t accommodate bicyclist or offer an opportunity for intimate interaction. At BBP, we teach equality, accessibility, empowerment, and opportunity. A half empty building at BSU that no one can find or a rented out room at ACHD Headquarters does not deliver same message. Thanks everyone, we’ll see you there! -Jimmy
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 17:32:49 +0000
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