Hello all,

 

Having participated in numerous local public hearings involving bike paths, I would like to warn everyone about some of the nonsense we will hear from trail opponents.

 

Undoubtedly we will hear all sorts of histrionics, the opponents will probably hiss and boo bicycle advocates, cheer their allies and may attempt to engage us in arguments.

 

We, as bicycle advocates,  should be on our best behavior.

 

Bike path opponents may be demonstrating outside the workshop, and may attempt to engage us in debate.  DO NOT engage in arguments,  you can't change anyone's mind.

 

Just smile and wish everyone a nice day.

 

During public presentations, DO NOT applaud, cheer, hiss, boo or other public displays.  Please sit quietly and await your turn to speak positively about bike trails.

 

If there is a "Public Comment" segment of the meeting,  please speak positively about bike trails,

DO NOT speak negatively about our opponents.  Example: If the opponents bring up the fable of bike trails causing crime, rather than calling our opponents "stupid" or worse, we should instead note that the consensus among law enforcement is that bike trails have no effect on crime one way or the other.

 

If we behave like grown-ups, we will impress the powers that be.  Good behavior at public meetings reflects political maturity.

 

During public comment, LESS IS MORE.  A few well chosen words have more impact than a long monologue, be succinct.

 

Just to warn everyone, there may be an emphasis on crime on trails.  The "Crime" issue is a particular histrionic that trail opponents use to rally citizens, particularly the elderly.  Recently, the police caught the rapist who attacked a woman on the Hail trail four years ago.  This will probably be a big topic among the opponents, just as the specter of Danny Rollings was used by trail opponents to oppose the building of the Hogtown Greenway (a paved bike path across Gainesville) 15 years ago.

 

Please be patient and well-behaved.  Lets show that bicyclists are excellent citizens.