BIKE: meeting next week to discuss bike commuting in Round Rock

[A. Gelfand]

Hello, all--

I'm new to this list. I understand that this forum is Austin-centric, but 
I'm trying to cast a wide net. If you do not live in Round Rock but have a 
cycling friend who does, please pass this on!

I am calling a meeting to discuss facilities needed to promote bike 
commuting in Round Rock for next Thursday, June 17, at 7 PM at the Saradora 
coffeehouse at 101 E. Main St. (We will gather in the back room.) The 
agenda is to meet'n'greet, assess the current situation, and brainstorm 
about identifying and reaching out to the Round Rock constituents who do or 
will support bicycle facilities. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, 
with java and pastries all around. (-:  Please note that the topic is 
biking as transportation only--not recreation. Also please note that by my 
reckoning we need to proceed with extreme caution; see below.

I met with mayor Nyle Maxwell last week to follow up on a letter I sent to 
the city council members supporting mass transit and bike facilities as 
part of the response to the overwhelming dissatisfaction with traffic 
congestion and speed and concern about smart growth (RR is the fastest 
growing city in TX) expressed by residents in a 2003 city survey.In 
addition to pointing out how getting cars off the road will help ease 
residents' concerns, I also pointed out that with a few relatively 
inexpensive road adjustments, we could keep more business local by making 
it easy for residents to cycle to nearby businesses, especially the 
historic downtown. This should be a hot button for the city: The c of c is 
already creating initiatives like "First Thursday" (which was going on at 
street level during our meeting) to bring a little down-home street life to 
Main St. and to attract shoppers. From where I live (north side of 620 by 
the hospital), I can indeed cycle to the drugstore, supermarket, and a few 
strip malls (places of interest include a bagel shop, coffee shop, 
Blockbuster Video, and liquor store) already.

The mayor is very receptive to promoting biking for fun & fitness but does 
not like the idea of bikes on the road with cars. Apparently I'm the only 
person he has encountered who cycles to work in Austin, and when I told 
him, he just about exploded with what I hope was just neutral shock. 13 
miles? Parmer? Really??? He has never heard from a single cyclist, I guess. 
Also, he rightly expressed concern that many residents will not be able to 
or want to roll out of their big plush cars even to bike 1/2 miles to the 
supermarket (not completely my own words, by the way).

We (meaning I, at the moment) simply must identify constituents who cycle 
for transportation or support facilities for cycling before any progress 
can be made. Because of all the ongoing and future roadbuilding, I think 
immediate action is necessary. Please attend the meeting if you can, or let 
me know your thoughts on the matter. All ideas are welcome. Thanks.

Amy Gelfand