One of my recent posts is titled “Paint Is Not Infrastructure.” Too often, planners and policy-makers act as if painting lines on a road shoulder makes a bike lane, and that bike lanes are the beginning and end of bicycle infrastructure.
At least some folks in Louisiana understand as much and are enlisting business owners. Bike Baton Rouge and Bike Easy, advocacy organizations in the state’s capital and largest city (New Orleans) are partnering to create a network of emergency pit stops for cyclists in their cities.
The two groups are working to secure sponsorships from ten businesses in each cities. The money will be used to purchase emergency supplies that will be housed in bundles housed at the sponsors.
The plan is to form a web of businesses where cyclists who need spare parts, air for their tires or even sunscreen can stop.
This, I believe, could help to ease the anxiety some people feel when they consider commuting or even recreationally. As an example, I’m often asked, “What if you get a flat?” or “What about the weather?” when people learn that I pedal to work, school or anywhere else.
I also can’t help but to think that at least one business owner will see an opportunity. If someone riding to work or school stops to pump a tire, get sunscreen or simply to rest at, say, a store, there’s a good chance that cyclist will return to shop.
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