KKFI,
You may know that the BikeKC initiative has been kicking around city hall for quite some time. It has been tabled in the Planning and Zoning Committee since last September. With support of Mayor Barnes and Councilman Charles Eddy, the P-Z Committee is *finally* reconsidering the BikeKC proposal in their meeting July 31st.
More details about the BikeKC proposal are in my informational letter below.
We are trying to get the word out to Kansas Citians that bicycling is a safe, healthy, and quick way to get around town, and that the best hope we have right now of promoting bicycling as a realistic and safe transportation alternative in Kansas City, is to get the BikeKC plan passed.
BikeKC has encountered some strong opposition in the Planning and Zoning Committee (evidently some deep pocketed developers don't like the idea of giving up a little more of their real estate in new developments for wider roadways that would include room for bicycle and pedestrian facilities).
Despite the opposition, one reason BikeKC has gotten as far as it has is that it has very strong grass-roots support around the metro area. Ordinary bicycle riders have turned out by the hundreds to committee meetings, evidently surprising committee members who assumed there wasn't much interest in alternative transportation issues in KC.
That is why I thought that KKFI might be a natural partner in spreading the word about BikeKC and helping us develop grassroots support for the issue.
Our best hope for getting BikeKC out of the Planning and Zoning Committee is if we can get hundreds of Kansas Citians to write, call, and email City Hall in support of the issue (contact information is in the letter below).
Please encourage people to be polite and persuasive when contacting City Hall (unfortunately, in the past some of our hot-headed bicycle advocates have done more harm than good by insulting and abusing opponents of BikeKC--we need to prevent this if possible).
We are also strongly encouraging supporters of BikeKC to attend the P-Z committee meeting when BikeKC will be considered. The meeting is July 31st, 2002, at 1:30PM, in the Council Chambers, 26th Floor of City Hall, 414 East 12th Street.
Again, I feel that this is a natural issue for KKFI to get involved with and support. Your support on this issue could make a real difference in increasing the kind of alternative transportation options that can make Kansas City a more vibrant and liveable city. From what I know about KKFI, it is exactly the sort of community-based issue that appeals to KKFI volunteers and listeners.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of help in any way. For instance, it would be easy to round up a small panel of interesting and knowledgable bicycle advocates for a round table discussion, call-in show, or something of that sort.
I appreciate your consideration and support!
--Dr. Brent Hugh
bhugh@mwsc.edu
posted by Brent Hugh at
Sunday, August 25, 2002 |
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