We Need to Work Together
A recent Op-Ed on StreetsBlog caught my eye and got me thinking. What if we didn’t differentiate between different types of cyclists when talking about infrastructure?
The opinion piece addresses a proposed amendment to the massive infrastructure bill making its way through Congress. This amendment, if adopted, “would divert $1 billion from the Transportation Alternatives Program, the core federal funding program for safe, connected sidewalks, bike lanes, and paths.”
At issue, as the author puts it, is a situation that would “force the bicycle and pedestrian community to fight among ourselves for scraps.” She makes a compelling argument.
This bill is, of course, huge and will be debated and Frankenstein-ed at the national level as most bills of this size typically are. But, if it passes, it means money for projects at the more local level. So, the question is, how do we in Baton Rouge get our piece of the pie and what do we do with it?
We have a Master Plan for biking and walking, we have the MoveBR initiative, and we have a fantastic recreation entity in BREC. Can we get all of these folks to put their heads together and find creative ways to take a complete view of the possibilities for increasing our ability to move and recreate in Baton Rouge?
My main point is that if you walk or ride a bike in Baton Rouge, you’re my kind of person. More trails would be welcome, but so would more connectivity and safer routes around town. The city has made progress, but there’s still more to be done. As the national conversation is dominated by talk of infrastructure – what it is, how to improve it, how to pay for it – we can also start thinking about new ways to improve our own infrastructure.
We do have some great allies in place and there are some projects in the works. The Lakes Project has the potential to be a boon as does the Scotlandville Parkway Project. MoveBR has taken alternative modes of transportation into consideration for its projects.
This is a moment to work together to build back better. We need ideas and we need voices. In short, we need to work together for the good of everyone. We have no control over what happens at the national level, but we have to be ready when opportunity knocks.
Drew Walker is a Bike BR board member. The view in this article reflect only the author’s opinion and not necessarily those of the Board or membership of Bike Baton Rouge.
