Bicycle Board Members,
Following are some highlights of the WV Cycling Symposium held in Charleston last Friday night and Saturday.
* Paul Mattox, Secretary WVDOT said, "WV roads are windy and narrow and not safe for bicycling." Every time Mattox mentioned accommodating bicycles, he said bicycles and pedestrians. The only accommodations he mentioned were shoulders and trails. * Some participants formed a "Bike West Virginia" organization that is bound and determined to develop a WV cycling industry. * Jeff Miller, President of the Alliance for Walking and Bicycling (formerly Thunderhead Alliance) gave the best (IMO) presentation on how to successfully advocate for bicycling.
1. Stay on message. 2. Develop a database. 3. Become an expert. 4. Make it newsworthy. 5. Decide a strategy: hold events, press conference, feature articles, interviews, announcements, use photos.
* Andy Clarke gave a compelling presentation of the Bicycle Friendly Cities and how they increased cycling and reduced crashes and achieved a positive economic return on investment. (I've asked him for his presentation so I can share it with you.) * Approximately 70 people participated.
Frank