Biking is typically a solitary practice and for many years dotriderblog felt pretty lonely during his 20-30 per annum forays into the streets of Boston. Coincidental with our conversion from occasional rider to daily urban rider there was a rapid increase in riders everywhere. As someone who worked at a recycling drop off center two years before the first Earth Day, moved into the city from the suburbs when the numbers were still going the other way, joined Zipcar when they had a fleet of green VW Bugs, we’re used to being out there on the frontier of social movements. Over the past two years dotriderblog has become involved in various grass roots efforts and attended dozens of events to help promote biking. The most interesting thing we’ve observed is the nature of the local bicycle advocate. To generalize, you better have a graduate degree, work for an educational, medical or non-profit organization live in an eclectic location and feel comfortable in funny clothes. Outside of the advanced degree, I guess I would qualify although my version of funny cloths doesn’t include spandex. While it’s good to have smart people out in front advocating, there is one thing that seems bothersome. Most of these folks seem to assume everyone out there is riding thinks just like them. Look at where the improvements to our bicycle infrastructure are focused most. Read some of the other bostonbiker blogs. Replay the testimony at the Mayor’s Bike Safety Summit. Look at Mass Bike’s posting of biker stories. Think about that some of the grass roots folks have started a biking book club. Then take a look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dotbike/4598660858/ . Where’s the disconnect? If we’re going to promote biking as a viable transportation alternative we have to meet the folks who would benefit most. These are the folks who think getting a new bike at Target is a big deal. Wear a helmet? Why spend the money? Ride on the street? Too dangerous! How do we take all the smarts of our advocates and apply it to helping the greater society? How about, thinking about serving those who don’t have the time, energy or resources to advocate for themselves? Once that begins to happen, dotriderblog will not feel as solitary in the bike advocate world as he does now when riding through the wilds of Franklin Park on a winter evening…
