Eric,
For purposes of my being a member, or even a board member, it doesn't
matter whether or not I support or oppose a particular issue. It
matters that I support cycling. If I'm a director, I need to be able
to support the right moves for cycling, even if it's in conflict with my
own views. If it's a big enough conflict, I need to get off the board.
Two decades ago I started working on the original BIA with Bill
Wilkinson - head of the Bicycle Federation of America. Trying to get
our rather cutthroat industry leaders together is harder makes herding
cats a cakewalk. Bill's favorite saying was that we needed to "park our
guns at the door", so we could focus on our common issues. It worked
and became the foundation for the industries support of bike advocacy today.
Whether it's Smart Growth, global warming or any of the host of other
issues we confront every day, parking our guns at the door will help us
move forward.
I'd agree with you that we need to limit our lobbying activities to
cycling issues and not the broader topics. It does a disservice to our
members not just by misleading them but by creating enemies of cycling
for these off-topic.
Speaking of off-topic, I would think there are a number of listserves
dealing specifically with land use and smart growth issues. Do you post
to them?
Thanks,
Richard
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