turning things around: a city Oakland can look to for leadership on the transformation of its streets
sound familiar?
In a city known for its aggressive drivers, flummoxing street layout, confusing rotaries and overall rudeness on the road, what is a cyclist to do?
oh. yeah it does.
The answer, according to Nicole Freedman, a former Olympic cyclist who was hired as Boston’s “bike czar” in 2007, is “is to change the culture, which is an incredible task”. In this article from the NY Times, Nicole outlines the city’s attempt to turn a corner from a bike hostile (or challeneged) city named as Bicycling Magazine worst three times in the last 15 years.
And much of it starts at the very top:
“But about four years ago, Mayor Thomas M. Menino got on a bike for the first time in decades. He was quickly hooked, and decided to share his new hobby with the masses. In 2005, Mr. Menino started Hub on Wheels, an annual cycling event, and vowed to make Boston a biking destination.”
We look forward to similar leadership in our City. WOBO, much like MassBike is there to support and press Boston to lead. It’s time.
Commonwealth Ave Boston colored bike lanes
A favorite line of mine from the article, so much like a comment that could be made about Oakland: “Do we have problems? Yes,” Mr. Menino said. “We’re an older city. Most of our roads were cow paths.”