| February 2006 |
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Pedaling Influence in the Corridors of Power Easy as Riding a Bike: Using Political Muscle Informing Policy at the Municipal Level |
Informing Policy at the Municipal Level Influence depends on effective and consistent communication between
advocates and political leaders. In the best scenarios, the relationship
between advocates and local government becomes institutionalized
through a bicycling advisory council, similar to the one formed
in Arlington Heights 20 years ago. Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder, a bicyclist herself, said this arrangement has been fruitful: The city publishes a bike map. High capacity, covered bike racks are located at Arlington Heights’ Metra stations. At Bike to Work Appreciation Day in May, volunteers give out coffee and muffins to cyclists at the train stations. The Arlington Criterium, held in late August, draws professional riders. Recently there was a proposal to build a bike path connecting a major street to a large park. At first it seemed like the bike path would have to be sacrificed because a moving company needed part of the land for a turning radius for their trucks. “The Bike Commission very wisely figured out how to keep their path by giving up some of the landscaping,” said Mulder. “I really admired that because sometimes when you’re an advocate you feel like you have to dig your feet in and hold your ground, but sometimes it’s better to get something than get nothing.” John Greenfield is the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation bike parking coordinator
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