FLCC> Commuting and Climate Change

[Kent Johnson]

Hello -

Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments regarding bicycling issues relating to utilitarian cycling. I have responded to many of the emails directly ... here is a general response. 

1. It is possible that the FLCC could formulate a relatively unified petition/request/campaign relating to a specific issue - like "we want good paved shoulders on certain roads" or "we want the police to better enforce/educate cyclists and motorists to improve safety and reduce conflicts". Some issues such as "bike lanes" may not work so well because more nuance is required and there are often differences of opinion depending on individuals particular preferences. It may prove difficult for the FLCC to arrive at any unified objective though, because of the likely diversity of individuals' interests within the FLCC.

2. Any member of the FLCC (and any member of the general public) is always welcome to attend the monthly meetings of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC) that occurs on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 7-9pm in the 2nd floor conference room in City Hall. If you cannot attend, you can always just send me an email detailing your particular concern/suggestion and I can discuss it at the meeting. There is also a list serve that you can subscribe to. There are a couple of vacancies on BPAC - perhaps someone from FLCC would be interested in applying to be a BPAC member. 

3. Questions regarding bicycling can be emailed directly to me at kjohnson at cityofithaca.org - even if your concern cannot be immediately addressed, there is a request log that is kept ... recurrence of similar requests increases the likelihood that they will be addressed. Additionally, you can contact Common Council representatives, Board of Public Works members and any number of other individuals about bicycle-related topics within the City limits. If you do not know the appropriate person to contact, you may call me and I will redirect you.  

4. It could be beneficial to send "letters to the editor" or write guest columns on bicycling-related for our local papers. This can help to raise awareness and support of bicycling issues. 

5. I like the idea of a bike race in the City - my suggestion: keep the route on City-owned streets (that have good pavement). This may or may not have an advocacy component. But it would certainly be fun - especially if "just regular people" can participate.

Thanks again for the feedback.

- Kent



Kent Johnson
Transportation Engineering Technician
Office of the City Engineer
City of Ithaca
108 E. Green St.
Ithaca, New York 14850
(607) 274-6528, (607) 327-0316 (cell)
kjohnson at cityofithaca.org