Post #4761449 · Elektrine

2026-09-19 06:54 UTC

@ascentale@sfba.social @sinabhfuil@mastodon.ie @bikenite@fedigroups.social A4. That answer will depend on the politics of the place. One has to observe what motivates your local politicians. If they actually respond to people pressure that is independent of money, turning people out to meetings consistently until you've reached your goal can work (you can also add in other public places you can pressure them). But if the politician has no shame, is firmly in the pocket of the fossil fuel lobby, you have to find and support an opposing candidate you can trust and work on their campaign in a grassroots manner to get them elected and get the fossil fuel money OUT. If cyclists want infrastructure, but not enough cyclists are around to create pressure, you can also make it more possible for people to become cyclists in ways that feel safe to them - open streets events are a great "gateway drug". https://ciclavia.org/ #BikeNite

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@meganL@mas.to 2026-09-19 06:58

@ascentale@sfba.social A4, cont'd: Things like CicLAvia in LA. It gives people a taste of car-free streets and many enjoy it & experience the neighborhoods it's in (and CicLAvia rotates the neighborhoods) so differently than they do in a car that they start to get interested in why it is they don't feel safe cycling. They start to see what has been taken from them. I've seen these events change local politics in the LA County area slowly but surely. It *is* possible to change the culture in a positive way. When that happens, there is more general public pressure on politicians to provide safer infrastructure for cycling, walking, etc. Now, when gasoline prices are up, is a good time to do outreach. Find out what people's concerns are if they're not cycling - what do they feel are the barriers? If the barriers are knowledge - teach. If the barriers are skills development - teach, show, guide. If the barriers are lack of safe infrastructure, organize - give them a call to action. #BikeNite

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