Austin has long been a town of diverse influences, old traditions, and historic landmarks. Today, the city is rapidly changing even more as a new bicycle infrastructure is being constructed with the hope of drawing in new commuters and bicycle enthusiasts from all around. Political agendas, government funding, environmental impact, and the American lifestyle are all contributing factors to the public policies surrounding bicycling.
In 1991, the Bush Administration completed The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, also known as ISTEA, allowing local lawmakers to distribute federal funding throughout various transportation programs. The nation’s vast highway system and the role of metropolitan planning organization, or MPOs, in policymaking are outcomes of ISTEA’s six year installment of $157 billion (Dilger). The goal of ISTEA was to give lawmakers the opportunity to create the most efficient systems and programs for their city, and for the most part, it was a success. Politicians have their own agendas within transportation policies which oftentimes lead to favoring certain programs, such as highway reconstruction, to secure reelection. States that have higher populations and are located in the northeast receive much higher funding than other states (Cooper). Though usual government politics did ensue, more benefits came from ISTEA. Environmentally safe standards and land use restrictions kept policymakers accountable for programs aimed at expanding city transit.
Lawmakers and metropolitan planning organizations have an interesting relationship. When national highways were being constructed back in the 1940s, MPOs had no voice in policymaking, and basically had to stand by while the nation expanded its roadways for automobiles with the hope of lessening traffic congestion. Traffic congestion only grew. MPOs, which represent cities of 50,000 or more, knew that other forms of transit needed attention if traffic congestion was to be decreased. Once they were given a voice by ISTEA, positive growth finally occurred.
This year, Austin developed its master bicycling plan for the city with the hope of attaining Gold-level Bike Friendly status by the League of American Bicyclists. The plan includes a new program established under the MPO, the Street Smarts Task Force, that will receive public opinions about bicycle lanes and transportation, then turn them over to the city’s lawmakers. The master plan includes four main goals: first is the new bicycle system which includes over 900 miles of bicycle lanes so that almost every resident of Austin can have access. Next is the promotion of the new plan, along with making citizens aware of the benefits and possibilities that cycling gives. Enforcement of safety and funding the project completes the plan to make Austin a top bicycle-friendly city by 2020.
Many Americans view bicycling as a way of the past, when in actuality, it is the future of transportation. In Aimes, Iowa a recycling and delivery service uses only bicycles throughout the city and Iowa State University with efficiency as their top priority (“Have Bike, Will Recycle”). According to an article in Consumer News, 2.6 million Americans purchased a bicycle at the beginning of 2009, as compared to 2.5 million who purchased an automobile (Pennybacker). The number of cyclists are growing, and with rising fuel costs, decreasing resources, and global warming, the move away from the private automobile is finally beginning.
An article entitled Nonmotorized Transportation: The Forgotten Modes brings up a great point in the transportation debate simply by citing the definition of insanity - “doing things the same way and expecting different outcomes” (Wilkinson). The government has invested billions upon billions of dollars into automobile transportation, hoping to reduce traffic by building more roads and parking lots, yet the traffic continues to grow. America, and the world, has limited resources, limited space, and a limited impact on the environment. It would seem the only reasonable answer would be to invest more time and money into other modes of transportation. Thankfully, more cities are becoming aware of nonmotorized transportation’s value.
A new planning philosophy known as “Complete Streets” is seen as the future for modern transportation. “It is based on a simple and sensible idea: Streets are for everyone, not just motor vehicles, and should be redesigned to make room for two-wheeled and two-footed travelers. This means sidewalks on every block, bike lanes on many streets, and design features that ensure the safety and comfort of all” (Walljasper). Many European cities have already adopted this strategy, some with a population average of 30% riding bicycles (Walljasper).
The difficulties behind Americans not choosing bicycles over automobiles is not just governmental, it is also cultural. Here, the majority of cyclists seen are exercise fanatics wearing biking suits. Bicycling is often considered something to do in your free time, not as a practical mode of transportation. We want everything to be as fast as possible because time is of the essence - perhaps because we have so little free time compared to vacation time given by European employers. Overseas, everyone, from the elderly to business professionals, are seen riding bicycles. It has been integrated into their daily life with city-wide access to rental bicycles and overall efficiency.
American culture too often places stigmas on bicyclists, who are actually doing everyone else a favor. New York City has been combating outrage at new bicycle lanes within Times Square, as many citizens believe it to be elitist and out of touch with the reality that automobiles rule the road (Vanderbilt). Little did those New Yorkers know, they were the ones out of touch with reality as the NYC population pushes 8 million; their traffic congestion is among the worst in the country though only 16.9% drive cars, among which whose earnings exceed others by 28%, making them the elite, not the bicyclists.
Even in Austin, bicyclists are stigmatized. Heavy penalizations for bicyclists traffic violations often occur, while motorists receive merely a warning. BicycleAustin.info charts the differences between bicyclists’ and motorists’ violations and the results are alarming. Many cyclists are arrested for minor violations, such as not wearing a helmet or riding on the sidewalk, while motorists have killed cyclists and have left the scene unquestioned by police. Some Austinites believe the media bias toward bicyclists is intentional. The Statesman has often cited collisions between motorists and cyclists as merely accidents with the cyclists not wearing proper gear, instead of investigating the full reasons behind the collision, such as drunk driving (Bluejay).
Local advocacy groups like the League of Bicycling Voters and the Bicycle Advisory Council promote awareness by campaigning. By getting the public more involved, these groups have been able boost new legislation for the safety of cyclists. Their involvement with politics has also spurred awareness. This past June Governor Perry vetoed legislation requiring three feet between motorists and bicyclists, despite the 142-0 approval in the House. An Austin bicycling advocacy coordinator was quoted in the Dallas Morning News saying “We intend to support whoever is kind to the cyclists, and Rick Perry is not that candidate” (Nielson). Because of the support bicycle advocacy groups have gained throughout the state, not just locally, politicians need to be aware of the outcome of their policies. Advocacy groups are currently working towards 10,000 signatures on a petition for Governor Perry.
Austin’s future of bicycle transportation is looking bright. As the city, along with local advocacy groups, continues to campaign for bicyclist rights and safety, environmental resources are spared and a new outlook for the future is insight. Austin has the opportunity to set an example for other southern cities, metropolitan or not, that bicycling is an efficient, sensible option for transportation and that local governments can fix more than just roadways. Additional bicycles lanes, rest stops, parking, and trails will further bring attention to new and upcoming bicyclists while saving the city energy, capital, and resources. Austin is at the fore-front of modern transportation, and its citizens are gearing up to enrich their future.
