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.
- Stay on message.
- Develop a database.
- Become an expert.
- Make it newsworthy.
- 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