Leading by Example #BikeRaleigh

A perfect Bike to Work Day in Raleigh, NC.  We rode a loop from Centennial Mall around downtown Raleigh to raise awareness for cyclists and promote bicycling as a valid form of transportation.  It felt really good to be among such great leaders in Raleigh and to show support for this nationwide movement to promote bicycling as safe, sustainable, healthy, and well - easy.  I know that in NC we've come a long way in just a short time.  Following are some pictures from the event and a special thank you to a lot of the people at the event that I personally know who contribute a lot of time, effort, and energy into making bicycling just a normal way to get around.  (As it should be.  That's why it's a nationwide movement.) 

Mike Dayton is relentless in his efforts.  He's pictured below talking to the new Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation for NCDOT, Lauren Blackburn.  Mike sits on the Raleigh Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and we're grateful to have him.  He consistently supports community events, advocates for better cycling here in the city, and is a great listener.

I feel like the following picture really captures the impetus for the event.  We are setting an example for sustainable transportation by being visible in our communities.  One of the best things you can do to advocate for bicycling in your community is to ride and be seen.  Show people by example that it is safe, fun, and healthy to ride for transportation and they will be motivated do the same. #BikeRaleigh

It was fantastic to see NCDOT come out to the event.  In particular I'd like to thank the Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation for showing support for the event.  Ed Johnson (NC Safe Routes to School Program, often threatened by funding cuts), Lauren Blackburn, Madeline Howell, and Robert Mosher attended and are pictured.

Also Representative Deborah Ross of NC District 38 thanked attendees for their efforts in sustainable transportation.   We need all the support from state representatives that we can get.  Thanks Deborah!

Julie White from the League of Municipalities encouraged us to thank Senator Rabon (R-Brunswick) for thinking logically about the gas tax cap.  While Rep. Justice (R-Pender) thinks we just need to have a "few less bike paths," so the state can focus more on bridges (as if the cost of those infrastructure projects were equal somehow?), Rabon is injecting some reality into the situation by opposing the cap until another revenue source is put into place. 

Thanks to Triangle Transit for putting in the effort and energy to always be at these kind of events to help make them successful.  The bike lights and other safety items that you bring are a great encouragement tool! I know that Michelle Parker is a mastermind behind promotion and education.  We are very grateful for your continued efforts for better bicycling in the Triangle!

With city staff , we can get support to foster the cycling community in our city.  I want to thank Jennifer Baldwin, the City of Raleigh Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.  She puts a lot of effort into making cycling a real transportation option here in Raleigh.  She works with the state, she works with advocates, she fosters new ideas.  She works, she works, she works.

Funding the coordinator position full-time (take that Durham!), creating bike facilities, and spearheading this event is another way that the city continues to show it's support.

Others who were in attendance who I want to thank are City Councilors Gaylord & Stephenson, Charlotte Mitchell of BPAC, Deputy Director of Planning Ken Bowers, UDC Manager Grant Meccai, and Kenneth Withrow from NCAMPO.  If I missed you, it's just because I don't know you yet!

Thanks Raleigh!  Let's continue to grow this movement!