Submitted by rsadowsky on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 3:01pm
We are listening
Thanks to all our members who have offered their support, questions and concerns. Your spirited response shows that our membership is active and engaged. I want to let you know that we are listening. Please feel free to call or e-mail me (rob@activetrans.org or 312.427.3325 x228).
You can learn more about this change http://activetrans.org/our-new-name/faq. If you missed the meeting or want to learn more, this is the place.
I want to address a couple of concerns that we’re hearing.
1. Are you giving up on bicycles? Will this dilute your bicycle advocacy?
Bicycling is the heart of our organization. After nearly 25 years of advancing bicycling, we learned that to take our bicycling advocacy to the next level, we had to look at the bigger transportation picture. We know our expanded mission and name change will only strengthen our bicycle opportunities, and we will always fight for bicycles. Building safer intersections, creating better transit opportunities, getting more cars off the road, and educating drivers on safe, responsible behavior will only make it better for bicyclists.
We’re proud of our membership and our work as the voice for Chicagoland bicyclists.
2. Why weren’t members involved in the decision to expand the mission and change the name?
Our board of directors, elected by members, represents our membership. The board of directors had the legal responsibility to guide this process, and it involved our members, volunteers, etc. as much as possible. The board went through an extensive process (surveys, focus groups, research, etc.) with members, partners, staff, board and volunteers to expand the mission and change the name.
Of course, no process is perfect; but we hope that those of you who are concerned or waiting to see what happens will stick with us. We don’t want to lose your critical voices that keep us on our toes. If you want to get more involved with our organization, please contact me directly.
We truly believe this new direction is the right one for bicyclists and all road users.
Sincerely,
Rob Sadowsky
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Winter Bike to Work Date
Why is the Bike to Work Day scheduled for Tuesday, January 20th this year? What happened to the third Friday in January? And I think there might be something else happening on January 20th that will take up all the news for that day. Maybe it would be a good idea to reschedule the Bike to Work rally if you expect to get any press coverage whatsoever.
We hold Winter Bike to Work
We hold Winter Bike to Work Day on January 20th every year, unless it falls on a weekend (in which case we pick the business day closest). January 20th is the anniversary of the coldest day in Chicago ever. It has never been set on a regular Friday. We know that there is an alternative news item that day, but felt that it was important to keep with the consistency of the 20th.
Rob, What are you going to do
Rob,
What are you going to do for the dues that all 6,100 of us ex-CBF members paid on the promise that they would be put to promoting bicyclists' interests first and only? We gave your our trust, time, and money to promote our cause. You took those resources and our energy and excitement and without consulting us you changed everything. We deserve more than this from an organization we supported, an organization that is made up of us and our interests.
How unfair. I think you owe us an apology and our dues back.
I think it unfair that Rob is
I think it unfair that Rob is singled out in this decision and direction. The name change and branding reflects what Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has grown into. This has been a lengthy and painful process guided and finalized by our board of directors.
We did not become a voice for healthier, safer streets on Monday. We have been for years. During this time we haven't, nor do we ever plan to advocate on behalf of any transportation or form of recreation over bicycling. I believe we all agree that any situation where bicycling, walking and transit pose conflict, there are dozens more where this relationship is symbiotic. But I feel some of us fear bicycling will be lost now that we've renamed ourselves in light of this larger picture.
For as long as I remember I've loved to ride. I will always ride, and I feel I can say this with more certainty having met disabled cyclists, and witnessed positive changes in road culture. There is no situation I can think of where getting on a bike is not an option, whether it's an ill-fitted rental while vacationing in a foreign country, or my trusted old steel in the dead of Chicago winter. Biking is in my DNA, it's in all of ours; it is the heart of our organization. Our focus, advocacy and passion for bicycling is not going anywhere.
I'll point out that Rob's
I'll point out that Rob's email address is public, and yes he is the person people who care about CBF should write to. He represents CBF. The board member's email addresses are not public, not on the CBF website or the new ATA website
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