Meet the Board - Part 2 - Doug Moore
Doug Moore joined the board in early 2016, became Vice-President in early 2017 and President in 2018. When he's not riding bikes or parking them, you might find him enjoying a beer or playing music.
Who are you and where are you from?
Doug Moore, from Monroe, LA. Moved to Baton Rouge in 2005.
Why do you love bicycling?
It turns what for most people is the worst part of their day – the commute – into the best part of my day. It’s fun, relieves stress, is a good way to get exercise, to save money and makes me feel better. Mostly, I love bicycling because it allows you to interact with your neighbors and community in a way that driving never can. When you’re on a bike, you’re part of the world around you; when in a car, you’re completely isolated.
Why did you join the Bike Baton Rouge board?
How long have you served (as a board member or as a volunteer)? I’ve been on the board for only a few months. I joined because past board members have done a terrific job founding and laying the foundation for this vital organization. Cities don’t become better by themselves; it requires many people doing what they can to make their city better. Bike BR is my way of trying to do my small part to make Baton Rouge a better place to live.
What do you see YOUR role as with Bike Baton Rouge? What do you do and what are you good at?
I focus on government relations mostly. I sit on several government committees and I try to cultivate relationships and really push our message to those who make decisions around here. I like to think I'm good at crafting statements and arguments. I've got a little work to do in the public speaking department.
What would you consider the greatest challenge to bicycling in Baton Rouge?
The greatest challenge for me personally is getting other people to ride. A big part of that is the lack of infrastructure – bike lanes, paths – in the city. More people riding creates the demand for more infrastructure; more infrastructure entices more people to ride.
What are you and Bike Baton Rouge doing to tackle that challenge?
We host rides, inform our members of activities, legislation and causes. We attend public meetings in an attempt to get officials and planners to consider bicycling as a legitimate and necessary part of transportation policy in Baton Rouge.
What will bicycling in Baton Rouge look like in 1/5/20 years time?
1 year – pretty much the same, but a little better. Hopefully, the Government Street re-design, Downtown Greenway and the Kenilworth to Quail connector will get more people on their bikes.
5 years – I’d love to see the whole Ward/Dawson creek trail system complete. That would be a game-changer. A 50% increase in the # of bike lanes would be great as well. With cycling on the rise in general, I’d love to see a 50% increase in cycling as transportation in Baton Rouge. I’d like to see parents no longer afraid to let their children bike around town with their friends.
20 years – With gasoline prices destined to go up and traffic destined to get worse, I believe the Baton Rouge of 2036 will see 15 – 20% of its citizens using a bike to get around at least once a day. Biking will cease to be an oddity, an outlier, an anomaly. It will be as normal as driving a car. That is the dream, anyway.
What is does your 'ideal' day of bike riding in Baton Rouge look like?
Biking to and from work, going to a bike-friendly business or two for a couple of errands after work, my wife joining me on a ride to dinner, then biking to meet friends afterwards.
Anything else you'd like to mention?
Riding a bike is one of the best things about my life. My hope is that as many people in this city will experience the same joy as I have. I genuinely believe that the more people ride bikes, the better Baton Rouge becomes.
Bike Baton Rouge Board Members (Left to Right) Claire Pittman, Samantha Morgan, Alaric 'Ric' Haag, Kellen Gilbert, Mika Torkkola and Doug Moore
(Photograph by Irene Kato)