Carbon Trace

Springfield City Councilman Dan Chiles has a vision for the future in which active transportation plays an important role in our city. “I’m a real nag when it comes to cycling, and I’ve been sending around long-term proposals that assume a post-carbon perspective as a foundation,” Chiles says.

Here’s a list of his self-described “eccentric ideas” for a post-carbon Springfield (with my commentary in italics):

a. Set a goal of attaining the lowest level of performance as a bicycle friendly community and once we get that win… work our way up to Platinum.

Yes. We have to start somewhere. Achieving the bronze level would give Springfield an accomplishment to build upon. It may even encourage a few more people to give cycling a try for basic trips to the store and other common destinations close to home.

b. Look for support from EPA for a bicycle-oriented solution to our ozone and particulate problems. We are reaching non-attainment and that gives more importance to ways to solve our problem.

This is a no-brainer. The more people who choose to walk or ride a bicycle for short trips close to home the more potential we have to cut air pollution. Click here for continuous DNR reports on Springfield’s air quality.

c. Network with R-12 in particular, and the higher-ed institutions in town, to work bikes into their campus planning and curriculum.

I’ve seen what appears to be an increase in cyclists in and around the MSU campus in the past year. One indicator: It’s getting increasingly difficult to find parking on the racks. Campus police have been writing tickets lately for bicycles locked to objects other than racks.

d. Consider adopting a “place-to-place” route planning protocol for bicyclists to supplement the current “bike route” maps. Show people how to get between major activity centers safely: ie: between St. Johns, Cox Hospital, the Mall, MSU, Drury, Downtown and etc.

This is something a commuting and utility cycling booklet could begin to accomplish. Perhaps we could also set up a network of volunteers, perhaps SpringBike members, to help with individual route planning. Carbon Trace might be a good clearing house for such an effort. OTO’s online too Ozarks Commute would also be a big help.

e. Ask the local advertising agencies and marketing departments at MSU/Drury to convene focus groups with women to ask them what it would take for them to feel safe on a bike with their kids. This is the keystone to a family adopting bicycling as a lifestyle/transportation choice.

Sounds like an excellent project for a qualitative analysis class.

f. Ask City Council and Greene County to adopt the Bike Ambassador (or Laureate) program.

Perhaps something like this program in Philadelphia? But this idea also suggests a person, a personality, to do the job. Anyone interested in being Mr. or Ms. Cycle Springfield?

g. Work with the History Museum to create colorful “Bike the History of Springfield” maps and programs. People can follow routes of various lengths to see some of the coolest and most forgotten landmarks and historical places in our town. Enroll people to volunteer as guides for groups who do these tours on weekends.

I think a program that makes cycling a means to an end (i.e. transportation) is a good thing.

h. Enroll text messaging and twitter-capable young people to declare instant bike events on Friday evenings. People will get mass text messages and other forms of electronic communications for meetings and rides.

Possible. I like the idea as long as this doesn’t devolve into something like Critical Mass. I think Courteous Mass would be a better way to go.

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