- Inspire folks to travel by bike
- Keep people in the loop about the growing bicycle infrastructure in town
- Create a forum for the bicycle community to communicate with each other
- Make suggestions/ express concerns around bicycle transportation in Asheville
I have been car free for just over four years, relying on my legs and steel framed steed to get me where I need to be (and occasionally my gracious girlfriend's vehicle, thanks LB!). Before moving here, I did my first bike tour from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA. Cycling for just over two months and 2000 miles, I learned a lot about what it means to travel safely on all types of roadways. All my friends, and the folks I met on the road who were familiar with Asheville, had nothing but great things to say about this city. Over and over, folks assured me that I was moving to the "Portland of the East" a "progressive town where the people are doing great things". This is true on many levels, except of course in the transportation department. To my dismay I have found Asheville to be the opposite of progressive when it comes to alternative transportation. Although the public transit system is in still in very sad shape, the bicycling infrastructure and public awareness has improved tremendously since I arrived in November, 2009. The Comprehensive Bicycle Plan that was passed in 2008 is being implemented as we speak (a critique will be coming soon!).
So here I am, trying to do my part to turn this city into a place where all forms of transportation - vehicular, public, bicycle and pedestrian - are viewed as equally valid ways of getting around, and all folks are courteous no matter how you get around. Because at the end of the day, we are all people trying to arrive safely at our destination, not matter how we decide too get there.
