| - We have a vision. We are inspired by the potential of the
bicycle, and by walking and public transit to invigorate and transform our
communities.
|
| - We are multi-modal. By advocating for a multi-modal package
of alternatives to driving, we are promoting bicycling in the most effective
way. This gives us a broader political base and a full palette of choices to
compete for transportation resources.
|
| - We are not anti-car. Cars are a reality and significant
part of daily life. The problem is the excessive use and accommodation of
motor vehicles. We work for a balanced transportation system where every type
of user is accommodated and the inappropriate volumes, speeds, and behaviors
of motor vehicles are mitigated. Our work also benefits motorists by reducing
traffic stress and injuries, while improving our communities for everyone.
|
| - We are regional. We work hard to be an organization for
both the city and the suburbs. Transportation systems and policies link us
all. To be effective our programs must be customizable and adaptable to the
diverse geography of the communities we aim to serve.
|
| - We believe in the power of coalitions. We embrace
partnerships with civic, transportation, recreational, educational,
social-change, health, environmental, business, development and community
organizations.
|
| - We are diverse. Our work furthers social equity and is more
effective when we engage diverse constituencies, particularly across lines of
politics, gender, age, income, race and ethnicity.
|
| - We are grassroots. We are a grassroots membership
organization -- the collective voice and action of a broad coalition of
cyclists, pedestrian, transit-users and community interests.
|
| - We are effective. We survey the decision-making process and
pursue the most significant outcomes that are practical, measurable and
winnable.
|
| - We don't bash. We don't bash public servants and government
agencies. The people who control, manage, shape and maintain public space are
the only actors who can change that space. We need to understand and help with
the issues that make their public service more difficult. The more genuinely
these public institutions and leaders work on our behalf, the more successful
we are.
|
| - We say please and thank you. When dealing with government,
we are clear about what we want. We ask for it nicely, and we give appropriate
credit when we get what we ask for.
|
| - We sweat the details. It's not over when our projects have
been funded, our plans have been adopted, or our policies have been agreed to.
The details of implementation are everything. We work with agencies and
officials to ensure timely progress and remove the roadblocks to
implementation.
|
| - We need carrots and sticks. We work for an effective mix of
disincentives to the overuse of motor vehicles and incentives for
alternatives.
|
| - We strive for hardware and software. Hardware is facilities
and physical changes to the environment. Software is education and marketing.
We work for an effective mix of hardware and software to promote bicycling,
walking and public transit.
|
| - We work at the top and bottom. Working at the top is
institutionalizing planning, funding and policy reforms so that all projects
are affected. Working at the bottom is coordinating with local communities on
specific projects to achieve the best possible outcomes. We are most
successful when we work at the top and the bottom. We choose local projects
with the best opportunities for creating regional models. We look for projects
that can catalyze policy, funding and planning reforms. We choose regional,
state, and federal campaigns because of the barriers we encounter in local
projects.
|
| - We do our homework. We develop expertise in funding,
policy, marketing, publications, and research so we can judge the most
effective tactics and be a resource to our partners and allies.
|
| - We save you money. We realize we are operating in a
competitive and constrained economy where government, business, and individual
resources are limited. We position our mission as a cost effective way to
achieve the desired transportation, health, environmental and community
outcomes.
|
| - We love our staff. The energy and creativity of our staff
is vital. We listen to them; let them lead when appropriate; treat them
fairly; work for diversity.
|
| - We are fun. We respect each other and enjoy the things we
do together. Working with other volunteers, staff, board, and members is
rewarding regardless of the outcome. Of course, winning makes it even more
fun.
|
