[BikeLongmont] Emery Closure Tactics

[Peter Schow]

Hi Nickie,

I believe that Bicycle Longmont is already the "movement for cycling
in Longmont" that you are looking for.  Through their dedication
and hard work, they are already doing the community-outreach support
you spoke about, especially in the area of working with 
schools (the "Safe Routes" program.).  I'd strongly encourage working
with BL vs. starting a separate cycling advocacy group in Longmont.
Look for BL to be very active in the upcoming "Bike to Work" day.

At the Bicycle Longmont meeting last week, there was consensus
to write a position letter on the Emery Street issue, to be
put into the P&Z public input review materials.  I've done a similar
letter already and I'd encourage you to do this as well (this was
suggested to me by a City Council member).  All of your good points
should be included in your letter.   Showing up in person to the 
P&Z hearing is even more important than supplying a written statement
(again, this was recommended to me by the council member) which is why 
it's critical for us to track the P&Z meeting agendas.

The Butterball-commissioned traffic study, we know, did not count 
bicycles.  One could draw a reasonable deduction that they delayed
the P&Z hearing for a month so that they could count bikes for a 
while.  As the weather gets warmer and you find yourself cycling 
downtown, I'd encourage everyone to use Emery Street to show
your support.

Speaking for myself and not BL,

Peter