momentum

I went to my second bicycle-lane related event this week, this time at home in Fort Worth. This morning we had a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new stretch of downtown bike infrastructure (striped lanes, 'sharrow' markers, turn-lane signage, bike racks/railing). What differed dramatically from today's event here than Tuesday night's debate in Arlington, was that Fort Worth's local governance (including the mayor) is much more progressive in terms of bike lane expansion. Granted, the Arlington measure passed, narrowly, but did so with great negativity, great vitriol, and this morning's event in downtown Fort Worth was so refreshingly opposite--even much of same language was used, almost exactly at times, but with polar opposite (here, positive) supporting dialogue. Fort Worth is still falling a little short of places I have lived and ridden, like Austin or Denver (the latter of which has an incredibly progressive bike share plan--30 min or less on a city bike is free!), but a very, very significant step in the proper direction has been made, without a doubt.

So, this is O'Brien getting interviewed (for the second time this morning) by one of the members of the local media, who all seemed to turnout to capture the mayor, councilman and cycling advocate Joel Burns (who became a national progressive hero recently with this video about bullying and being gay), and us, the riders, who were about 40 strong. Not a bad showing for having the ceremony on a Thursday morning at 8:30. After the event, Jay, O'Brien, and myself all rode over for a relaxing coffee, outside in the shade, and discussed the problems of the world.

EDIT: Emily Emily appeared from her cubicle to take a shot from another angle. I see me!

EDIT EDIT: O'Brien's interview as seen from the cameraman (and me at :55 to 1:00)