Crash leads to perfect storm of advocacy

By Margo O'Hara
 

One north suburban bike club isn’t waiting around for things to get better on the road.

Following a hit-and-run crash this summer that left two of its members seriously injured, Velo Club Roubaix now wants to organize anyone concerned with bicycle safety in the North Suburbs.

“Velo Club Roubaix wanted to do something to make a difference, and they knew just who to call,” said West Suburban Coordinator Pamela Brookstein. “They invited us into a member’s home and over a lovely chili supper, we gave them the tools to make those differences.”

Their first goal: Complete Streets in Lake County. Illinois, DuPage County and Chicago all have Complete Streets policies, which require roadway projects to incorporate bicyclists and pedestrians throughout the design, planning and construction.

Lake County officials also knew problem with bike crashes. Vélo Club Roubaix helped catalyze a perfect storm by engaging Lake County officials and the Active Transportation Alliance to create Complete Streets policy for Lake County.

“We were impressed with what Active Trans did in DuPage County,” said club member Jay Goldstein, referring to advocating for that county’s Complete Streets policy (called Healthy Roads).

“I think [bike clubs] have been an untapped resource in the past,” Goldstein said. “We know these routes that we use regularly that are going through all these different jurisdictions. We have a bigger perspective on the roads in the area. I would think our work would benefit all riders.”

That’s why they want to include anyone concerned with bike safety. Already bike club members and bike shop owners have attended organizing meetings.

Velo Club Roubaix, started in the 1980s, is headquartered in Deerfield and Lake Forest and holds multiple rides a week. On nice days, 30 to 40 riders might head out. Club members initially were interested in racing, but it has become more a community riding club.

While clubs do offer a very local and tight community, club member Mark Suri said, they can sometimes be isolated and disconnected from other groups that have similar ideas or challenges.

“The fact is we need the roads because if we don’t have the roads, we don’t have a place to engage in our activities,” Suri said. “It’s all well and good for [Active Trans] to say we will help you, but it needs support. It needs members so they can go to cities and say, ‘These guys use your roads and we speak for them.’”

Brookstein said any club or group can take these steps to organize around ideas or concerns.

“Velo Club Roubaix’s call made us realize that we need to devote more energy to advocating in that area,” Brookstein said. “The club made a generous donation because it supports our expanded work in that area so strongly.”

It’s a symbiotic relationship.

“It just makes sense,” Suri said of the partnership with Active Trans. “You need someone who is going to help you to maintain the roads.” 

Margo O'Hara is the Active Transportation Alliance's Director of Communications