I Didn't Participate

The Newly Adopted Regional Bicycle Facilities Plan

There was a semi-important vote by the James City County Board of Supervisors this week. Their meeting included review and approval of the updated regional bicycle facilities plan. This plan is part of the county's overall comprehensive plan -- its vision for its future.

Supporting active transportation at local meetings is always a good thing, but it is an increasingly important task in this particular county. While I may feel that active transportation is not a partisan issue, unfortunately, not everyone agrees with me.

This region has a particularly vocal segment of the population who routinely shows up at many meetings, voicing displeasure at the government's role in most matters, but they seem take it to a whole new level when it comes to bicycling.  I still don't completely understand what it is they have against bicycles. But they are a force to be reckoned with.

I knew I should be at this meeting. And yet I didn't go.

I didn't go because I couldn't easily get there. Yes, I could have ridden my bicycle. I have done it before. It's only 4.5 miles. The route includes a segment that is very lightly traveled ... but it's also unpaved, dark and isolated. In the daylight, it's fun. When it's dark, it's treacherous.

I looked into the other obvious option -- transit. But surprisingly, our transit system does not travel to (or even near) our county government complex. I was surprised, but as I have continued to think about that, I am angry. The complex is adjacent to Kingsmill, a renowned gated community that often hosts PGA and LPGA tournaments. It was proffered to the county long ago for the government complex. And it's not served by transit.

Essentially, the message I hear is that if you must rely on transit, you are not welcome. I don't think they really intend that message. I think they simply don't realize that there are people for whom transit is their only means of transportation. I will be letting them know.

In the end, I submitted a letter to the Supervisors, and I watched the meeting online.  The regional bicycle plan was ultimately adopted, and there were a number of friends who spoke in support of the plan. They were countered by plenty who were against any forward progress on active transportation.

There is more work to be done.