Why SABA needs to go away

I am amazed at groups who call themselves advocates for cycling, however they never seem to advance anything that will actually do that. They never step to the plate and champion and idea that will make the area better for cyclists and those who want to have an easy time getting around town without a car.They would rather promote ideas like regulating people's fire places and the like. Now when anyone comes up with an idea that is purposeful and measurably able to promote bicycling and safer streets for cyclists they run and say " no no we want to be given bike lanes and only bike lanes." till they kill of they competing idea. I suspect that this maybe a result of their lack of understanding the how and whys of these other methods, or just how they work to promote better cycling. Let's look at a few ideas.

I have seen in Europe how many cities actually change the configuration of streets, provide separate lanes with special markers and guides, and even place cyclist ahead of motor vehicles at intersections. This makes sense for many reasons. This is what should be looked at here in this area, but alas the fine people at SABA want to try and force people to accept bikes in the same vain as cars. Then they figure let's just go worry about peoples fire places and try to say it benefits cycling. I call BULLSHIT!!!!!! Look clean air will come from making bicycle commuting as attractive and viable as possible. Given the choice of driving and paying a premium for parking or suffering with the "mass" transit system here in this town, people will suffer and drive. The way to get people out of their cars is make is a lot more attractive to commute via bicycle. I don't expect everyone to jump on the band wagon, however IF you make it a safe and convent way to get downtown people will try it. The more they do this the more they will like it.

I have ridden a bicycle since I can remember. I used it to get from my dorm room in college to home, work and town for goodies. I used it for just the plain fun of going out riding around! I love being on a bike. Somehow along the way the car culture took hold of me. the far flung need to drive for work over powered my very life. I gain weight got out of shape and well was the typical fat lazy slob that people today have become. I had an reawakening one day of the desire to explore and ride! I think it was the fact people on highway 50 in this town have the brain power of a two year old. They must be some of the worse drivers I have ever seen. Thus the bike called. Safe and reliable and NO TRAFFIC! I have lost weight and I am a happier person. I laugh every May when they have the great bike month. They have all these events, then no one follows through! I know why this is. They find it difficult to have fun and enjoy their commute. They have to rely on bike lanes next to traffic that drive at unreasonable speeds. They never see a cop pull over speeders or those who buzz the bike lanes. I would be willing to bet that IF you took a few of the approaches they have in Europe you would find a lot more converts to cycling as a means of getting to work! I truly believe that if in addition more employers provided the needed facilities to promote this kind of commuting their would be a lot more people doing this.

As Sad as it is people who do nothing but pay lip service to their alleged state goals, such as promoting safe and better bicycling, however never live up to that billing are such a sorry lot. I feel sad for their lack of true vision and better judgment! Maybe someday IF SABA ever got out and actually tried to make improvements and actually push for the needed changes and enforcement of traffic laws, instead of worrying about people's chimneys and worshiping the holy bike lane, maybe then we would develop a cycling culture that this town is capable of! Maybe just maybe we would see cleaner air as less cars would be driven every day! Maybe they will see the error of their ways, however, I for one doubt it. No the time has come SABA MUST GO!!!!!