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As dbb has remainded us, we need to follow up- pressure on.

If I may share what I wrote to the Board after the session. Not my best writing at close to midnight, but here ’tis…

“Thank you for listening to all of us at the budget hearing. This is an addendum to testimony regarding proposed reductions to bicycle/pedestrian programs.

I have lived in Arlington since 1985. I ride, and for a time during the 80s and 90s, my career allowed me to commute by bicycle. What I have observed is that it is currently so much easier and safer to ride than even 10 years ago. Much improved infrastructure which makes it easier for automobiles, pedestrians, and cyclists to coexist. Also, treatment of the bicycle as a legitimate transportation alternative- correction- *legitimate transportation choice*. I am proud that Arlington led by example- keeping bike routes usable for commuters by plowing them this past winter. The example is rubbing off elsewhere in the region. Even Tysons Corner, as car-centric as you can possibly be, has grown sidewalks for the first time. Their first bike lanes to follow soon. We’ve had great influence, great success. That doesn’t mean we can stop now.

Besides the collateral damage coming from cuts- loss of matching grant money, loss of staff, loss of opportunity, loss of growth, there will be increased costs elsewhere. It has been noted that an environment where it is safer for a child to walk or ride to school reduces the dependence on school buses, which take their own sizable chunk of the school system budget.

Something else to consider- the demographics of our changing and evolving Arlington. The young couple with the growing family who get around via cargo bikes… are not an anomaly. They are among the leading edge of 20-30-somethings who came here precisely so they can live without so much dependence on the internal combustion engine, with all its expenses. And unless something or someone makes them feel unwelcome, they *are* the future of Arlington. Oh, yes, they also vote.

I also have friends in the bike business who not only benefit from infrastructure that makes it easier and safer to ride, they generate tax revenue for Arlington. Yet another reason…”

Mr. Tejada is with us, I have no question of that. Mr. Vihstadt… is another matter. So, time to continue to lobby. I doubt any of us has the resources to “purchase” a politician. But we have something they will always want- our vote. You would be surprised how reactive a politician can be when he needs it to stay in office.

Here, for “Lobbying 101” reference and inspiration, are the people I run with, who get *results* without the “suitcases full of unmarked bills”- http://www.protect.org/lobby

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Here is a link, explaining when and where: http://budget.arlingtonva.us/events/budget-public-hearing/

I was looking for an agenda. Couldn’t find it. Yet. And I think the deadline to register as a speaker passed at 5:00pm today.

Let me amend that- you *can* register to speak on the day of the meeting. Info here: http://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/meetings/speak-budget-tax/

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@dasgeh 112101 wrote:

Also, if you want to speak, we can use more voices. Email me and I’d be happy to work with you on talking points. It’s quick and easy and you’ll have a lot of people to support you.

It would be very helpful to have more voices. For example, voices from the business community. If you know any business owners that want to see more biking in Arlington and are willing to speak out, please send them my way.

Bike shop owners/managers? I’ve already tagged Larry Behery (Old Bicycle Shop) and John Harpold (Papillon Cycles) on my FB feed. We’ll see what we get.

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“That’s quite the bait and switch on Arlington taxpayers. The county board originally approved generating the revenue for this pot of money as a dedicated funding stream for bike and pedestrian projects. But now that money is rolling in, it isn’t as dedicated as the board originally promised.”

Raiding a *dedicated fund* to pay for someone’s “pet” whatever elsewhere? What a concept.

My experience is that dedicated funds have to be watched and protected with great diligence. Example- a couple of years ago, the Virginia General Assembly tried to raid the dedicated funding stream for Alicia’s Law, intended to combat child sexual exploitation. For highways, I think. Didn’t think anyone would notice. It took considerable effort from the National Association to Protect Children and the PROTECT Lobby to keep that from happening, which included Alicia Kozakiewicz (for whom the law is named) coming back to Richmond to be the *inconvenient twinge of conscience* staring at them (the legislators) from the gallery. Moral? Regardless of what happens tomorrow, we have to watch our dedicated funding just as closely.

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This, from WABA:

Thank you for contacting the Arlington County Board. Please share this action with your friends, family, co-workers and other area bicyclists by sharing this link: waba.org/arlingtonbudget

Want to do more?
The Arlington County Board is holding a public hearing on the transportation budget on Tuesday, March 24th at 7:00 pm. The public hearing will be held in County Board room at 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201.There are some key folks signed up to testify early in the hearing. A speaker early on will ask all residents in attendance who supporting biking to stand up. A strong showing of support is needed. Come at 7:00 pm and stand for biking.

WABA is the leading voice for bicycling in the region and our members enable us to advocate for better conditions for bicycling. Join or donate today to ensure that we can continue to represent you. Join online at waba.org/join.

Thanks,
Greg Billing
WABA Advocacy Coordinator

Here is an important way to influence your county Board, by *show of strength*. Your ABAC leadership, WABA, and the BikeArlington crew will appreciate it. And *you* will benefit. 7pm sharp. Be there. Aloha.

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@scoot 111802 wrote:

Uh-oh. Do we have a pattern?

http://www.thewashcycle.com/2015/03/secret-service-police-officer-harassing-cyclist-in-rock-creek-park.html

We have a pattern. Someone’s gone rogue on them.

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@Tfulmer 111461 wrote:

Thank you for your insight! We are focusing on bike safety and infrastructure development. Do those causes seem to match ones you are willing to support?

Of course. You’ve already been introduced to http://www.waba.org/, and http://www.bikearlington.com/, not mention http://www.bikeleague.org/. Tell us more about your organization.

All in the interest of working *together*. We will get more done in the political process as a united front.

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Hey guys… Note sure what your rain plans are for this ride, but if you *are* riding, I have to scratch as a ride marshal tomorrow. Bad cold/sore throat, and at the moment, my voice is nearly useless. Be safe out there.

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Be gracious. She’s riding, period! Encourage her to find her inner http://bikeyface.com/. And who knows? Maybe next season she’ll be dueling you on Freezing Saddles!

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Aha. I was about to post a thread about Maine Ave SW. I deal with it every day taking my wife to/from Ft. McNair. It’s horrible enough in a car. What *is* the best way to traverse it by bike? I am mindful that a rider on this forum went down on that pavement last year, riding to a Nats game. It’s become far worse since then, minefield of potholes included. (On my bucket list this year- Nationals Park by bike.)

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Good morning. A reminder to those just venturing back out on the bike- there are car-eating potholes out there on the roads (wide and deep). Watched a cyclist artfully dodge one that surrounded a manhole cover on Columbia Pike yesterday. If he had hit it…

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@dasgeh 110446 wrote:

I can’t even. Snow in the forecast… on a day with a high of 73?!?!?

Snow and 73 degrees? Best of both worlds!

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This may explain the state of road (and trail) conditions yesterday: http://wtop.com/arlington/2015/03/arlington-county-runs-out-of-salt-roads-treacherous/

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@dasgeh 110216 wrote:

My kids did too. They didn’t recognize my voice, and when I pointed it out they didn’t care.

Give them a couple of years…

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Passed the House. On its way forward: https://www.facebook.com/leagueamericanbicyclists/photos/a.10150198692254611.314042.53822634610/10152799071739611/?type=1&theater

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