Bicentennial Bikeway Goal: "2 by 2012"

Last year Mayor Coleman held a press conference to announce his support for biking and his plan for expanding and improving Columbus' bikeway system. He also vowed to create "complete streets" that are safe for biking. The City retained Alta, the top bikeway consulting firm in the U.S. to create the plan and last month the 238-page Draft Plan was released for comment. Alta is incorporating the feedback and will be releasing the Final Plan this spring (in fact, we're hoping to deliver the plan to City Hall via bike). The Mayor has pledged to include funding ($50 million) for the Bicentennial Bikeway Plan in the Bicentennial Bond package (Note to biking community: we MUST be vigilent to ensure that the Mayor makes good on his promise.)

The Bicentennial Bikeway Plan will also include a goal: that by 2012 ten percent of the commutes in Columbus will be by bike, walking or other alternate transportation, i.e. something other than an automobile. Currently, commutes by alternate transportation are less than 1%. This is an incredibly bold goal for a city in the heart of the Rustbelt where it's citizens have had a long, torrid love affair with their cars. Our city has been built on the premise that every citizen over the age of 15 would use an automobile for everyday transportation........to the point where we don't even build sidewalks any more. We now have more automobiles than licensed drivers and more Columbus citizens live outside the 270 outerbelt than inside the outerbelt. Changing this will not be fast or easy, but for the sake of our environment, our health and our community we must.

How, in practical terms, do we reach this 10% goal? Well, if you figure there are 20 working days in a month, it means you have to ride a bike to work 2 days per month. "Is that all?", my non-biking friends ask........"I think I can do that."  I have several friends, including bankers, lawyers and judges, who plan to begin bike commuting 2 days per week in the spring. You can do it, too!! The Bicentennial Bikeway Plan will ensure that you have a safe way to ride to work and we are beginning to educate employers on what they can do to accomodate and encourage bicycle commuting. Once you begin to bike to work you will get hooked and want to do it everyday. The tipping point is a lot closer than we think.

I realize there are many hurdles and impediments to accomplishing this bold goal........but isn't that true of any goal that effects real change? That's why we'll start with "baby steps"......"2 by 2012". You don't have to ride every day, you don't have to ride in bad weather...........just ride 2 days per month.......and we'll see where it takes us. I GUARANTEE it will be to a better place. Let's go!!!!!! You'll be hearing a lot more about this in the months ahead. Power to the pedal!