National Attention

Between lack of funding sources and entrenched political resistance, most Georgia cyclists think it will take an act of Congress - literally - to make metro Atlanta bicycle-friendly. While the city of Atlanta itself has a fairly decent transportation plan (the Connect Atlanta Plan, enacted in the past year) it still contains many compromises, plus the city has absolutely no money to implement it.

But bicycling as transportation is starting to get some national attention. A number of trends, including high gas prices, a progressive administration, and the Cycle Chic phenomenon, are working in our favor. And now the Brookings Institution is having program on "Cities, Bicycles, and the Future of Getting Around."  David Byrne, Janette Sadik-Khan, and Rep Earl Blumenauer will be presenting - the current trifecta of bicycle infrastructure advocacy superstars.

Congressman Blumenauer (credit www.selectism.com)

I think Brookings does great work, although they don't always leverage the national media as effectively as they could. Hopefully this event, by combining policy with 'pop', will get on the radar. According to the website, "The event will launch Cities for Cycling, a NACTO project to break down barriers to bicycle-friendly street design in municipalities around the United States." Wish I could spirit up to DC for a couple hours to attend! Maybe there will be a webcast afterwards?