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Verde Valley Cyclists

 

 

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Mission Statement

The mission of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition is to improve the bicycling environment and thereby the quality of life in the region. We do this by promoting bicycle safety, education and facilities, and by encouraging use of the bicycle as an energy-efficient, economical and nonpolluting form of transportation and as a healthful and enjoyable form of recreation. As the public voice for cyclists, the VVCC does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, ability, political alignment, type of riding, or mode of transportation one prefers.

Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition Values Resolution

bulletWe have a vision. We are inspired by the potential of the bicycle, and by walking and public transit to invigorate and transform our communities.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe believe in the power of coalitions. We embrace partnerships with civic, transportation, recreational, educational, social-change, health, environmental, business, development and community organizations.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe are effective. We survey the decision-making process and pursue the most significant outcomes that are practical, measurable and winnable.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe need carrots and sticks. We work for an effective mix of disincentives to the overuse of motor vehicles and incentives for alternatives.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.
bulletWe 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.

 

  Last Modified : 06/18/10 09:38 PM

Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition © 2010