Hey, we're no longer CBF! We're the Active Transportation Alliance! - The Chainlink2024-03-29T11:30:08Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hey-were-no-longer-cbf-were?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A27667&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI'm with burden here (and fre…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-12-04:2211490:Comment:276672008-12-04T16:43:13.740Zpaytonhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/payton
I'm with <b>burden</b> here (and freeek and h3, of course). Bicycle friendly communities are also pedestrian- and transit-friendly. The new name appeals to the broader constituency that needs to be mobilized (ha) to make this happen.
I'm with <b>burden</b> here (and freeek and h3, of course). Bicycle friendly communities are also pedestrian- and transit-friendly. The new name appeals to the broader constituency that needs to be mobilized (ha) to make this happen. evanK said:* Taking the bus r…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-11-21:2211490:Comment:253612008-11-21T04:41:28.676Zburdenhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/burden
<cite>evanK said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hey-we-changed-our-name-were?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A24775&page=2#2211490Comment25266"><div>* Taking the bus requires you to be a pedestrian for many more feet, sometimes even 1/2 mile, than taking the car (usually), and taking the train requires all those steps! So it's <i>more</i>active than driving.</div>
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This is worth belaboring. ;)<br />
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I think it's easy to overlook the role transit plays in…
<cite>evanK said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hey-we-changed-our-name-were?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A24775&page=2#2211490Comment25266"><div>* Taking the bus requires you to be a pedestrian for many more feet, sometimes even 1/2 mile, than taking the car (usually), and taking the train requires all those steps! So it's <i>more</i>active than driving.</div>
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This is worth belaboring. ;)<br />
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I think it's easy to overlook the role transit plays in extending our ability to walk around. As evan points out, we usually imagine those trips without noticing the sometimes-considerable amount of walking that goes on before and after the ride. Transit riders, generally, are pedestrians who happen to be sitting down for a few miles. Moreover, those pedestrians wouldn't exist in the first place without the options that transit creates.<br />
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Likewise, neighborhoods well-served by transit tend to be better places to walk (and good places to walk demand good transit, so that we can easily travel to other good places to walk). Underfunded, unreliable (or nonexistent) transit systems end up generating safety and quality-of-life issues for everyone who isn't in a car.<br />
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That includes cyclists. I don't have to ride my bike very far to find places where nobody ever walks; where nobody rides transit because there isn't any, or it's inconvenient, or because walking to a stop is dangerous or unpleasant, or because nearly everyone owns a car and uses it to go everywhere. And maybe I'm a pansy, but I don't enjoy cycling very much in those places, either.<br />
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In other words: Show me a neighborhood in Chicago where thousands of people are regularly walking to and from the L or are out on the street waiting for a bus, and I'll show you a place where I generally feel entirely comfortable on a bicycle -- in stark contrast with places where none of that is happening.<br />
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How's that work? And might it mean that nu-CBF's onto something here despite the removal of the word "bicycle" from their name? Errata:
* Taking the bus requ…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-11-20:2211490:Comment:252662008-11-20T18:12:07.489ZevanKhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/evanK
Errata:<br />
* Taking the bus requires you to be a pedestrian for many more feet, sometimes even 1/2 mile, than taking the car (usually), and taking the train requires all those steps! So it's <i>more</i>active than driving.<br />
* I just got a pamphlet from the League of Illinois Bicyclists. If you're really keen on being part of a bicyclists-only organization, you can make the switch.<br />
* I personally like the idea of individual organizations that have clear, focused missions and that come together under…
Errata:<br />
* Taking the bus requires you to be a pedestrian for many more feet, sometimes even 1/2 mile, than taking the car (usually), and taking the train requires all those steps! So it's <i>more</i>active than driving.<br />
* I just got a pamphlet from the League of Illinois Bicyclists. If you're really keen on being part of a bicyclists-only organization, you can make the switch.<br />
* I personally like the idea of individual organizations that have clear, focused missions and that come together under some sort of cooperative umbrella. Why not have a CBF, a Walkers Advocacy Group, a Massportation Group, and apply for grants both collectively and independently? Hey guys - As of now you can'…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-11-20:2211490:Comment:252442008-11-20T16:19:54.974ZJulie Aberman (Hochstadter)https://thechainlink.org/profile/JulieHochstadter
Hey guys - As of now you can't combine discussions so I closed my "CBF Changed Its Name" Thread since we are all commenting here on the same issue.<br />
I agree with Martin, I'm not happy about it, but am going to give Active Trans a chance to prove themselves. Although regarding the name, as someone else put it, what is so active about taking the bus???
Hey guys - As of now you can't combine discussions so I closed my "CBF Changed Its Name" Thread since we are all commenting here on the same issue.<br />
I agree with Martin, I'm not happy about it, but am going to give Active Trans a chance to prove themselves. Although regarding the name, as someone else put it, what is so active about taking the bus??? Truthfully I am not thrilled…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-11-19:2211490:Comment:249482008-11-19T06:40:14.774ZMartin Hazardhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/MartinHazard
Truthfully I am not thrilled with the name change, but I trust the decision makers at AT&T, or whatever they call themselves now. I am reserving judgement until I have a chance to get more information, and see where the organization goes. I suggest all the naysayers do the same. I don't expect them to let us down.
Truthfully I am not thrilled with the name change, but I trust the decision makers at AT&T, or whatever they call themselves now. I am reserving judgement until I have a chance to get more information, and see where the organization goes. I suggest all the naysayers do the same. I don't expect them to let us down. Listen, we are all cyclists,…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-11-19:2211490:Comment:248622008-11-19T01:08:18.874ZJuliettehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Juliette
Listen, we are all cyclists, and we are all in this together. We'd all like more bike racks, better bike lanes, and safer streets. I know that many of you have worked extremely hard for the bike movement in Chicago, and we appreciate everything you do/have done. The issue is this--it's unfortunate that the new Active Transport Alliance was not developed as a new, separate organization. I don't think that any of us would have taken issue with it--in fact, many of us would have joined. But to…
Listen, we are all cyclists, and we are all in this together. We'd all like more bike racks, better bike lanes, and safer streets. I know that many of you have worked extremely hard for the bike movement in Chicago, and we appreciate everything you do/have done. The issue is this--it's unfortunate that the new Active Transport Alliance was not developed as a new, separate organization. I don't think that any of us would have taken issue with it--in fact, many of us would have joined. But to take an existing organization and thumb its nose at its key mission <i>without warning and without educating the membership</i> just is poor marketing.<br />
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In the grand scheme of things, this really doesn't matter, but it's unfortunate that the new name evokes no meaning, emotion, or passion, and the new logo doesn't speak to many of us either. As far as the other comments to create our own advocacy organizations, hey--let's do it! There just happens to be a really cool logo available, and a really appropriate name..... Bikefreeek said:
BTW, Bike Wi…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-11-19:2211490:Comment:248532008-11-19T00:52:02.143ZSam Shttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SamSwett
<cite>Bikefreeek said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hey-we-changed-our-name-were#2211490Comment24845"><div>BTW, Bike Winter does and has advocated for walking and transit plenty.<br/>
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Are we talking about the same Bike Winter? It seems 100% cyclist-focused.
<cite>Bikefreeek said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hey-we-changed-our-name-were#2211490Comment24845"><div>BTW, Bike Winter does and has advocated for walking and transit plenty.<br/>
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Are we talking about the same Bike Winter? It seems 100% cyclist-focused. Bikefreeek said:
I'm not sure…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-11-19:2211490:Comment:248522008-11-19T00:46:32.829ZSam Shttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SamSwett
<cite>Bikefreeek said:</cite><br />
<blockquote>I'm not sure what to think of opinions that believe that walking and transit hasn't been part of CBF's mission all along. As long as I've been active and involved with CBF (10 years or so) it's been part and in the scope of the mission. It hasn't been the main focus and I don't believe that it ever will be, but as Active Trans they will be able to gain more resources for some work that's been done all along.<br></br> <br></br>
BTW, Bike Winter does and has…</blockquote>
<cite>Bikefreeek said:</cite><br />
<blockquote>I'm not sure what to think of opinions that believe that walking and transit hasn't been part of CBF's mission all along. As long as I've been active and involved with CBF (10 years or so) it's been part and in the scope of the mission. It hasn't been the main focus and I don't believe that it ever will be, but as Active Trans they will be able to gain more resources for some work that's been done all along.<br/>
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BTW, Bike Winter does and has advocated for walking and transit plenty.<br/>
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Also, Chicago Bike Federation was (evidently) an unsuccessful try at humor (I thought the sideways winking smiley face denoted that). ;-)<br/>
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Don't worry, Active Trans is going to work as hard for bike issues as CBF ever did. Even harder I bet.</blockquote>
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OK, so the mission has been creeping. This is not good.<br />
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Here it is from 2001:<br />
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<blockquote>http://web.archive.org/web/20010802031820/<a href="http://www.biketraffic.org/aboutcbf.htm">www.biketraffic.org/aboutcbf.htm</a>
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Whether you bike to the store, to work, for exercise, or for fun, you're entitled to safe and enjoyable bicycling. But you're hassled by heavy traffic, limited trails, and careless drivers. Since 1985 the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has attacked these problems, and more. We believe the bicycle can improve the way people live, and we're tired of transportation programs that favor automobile use at all costs. We want a future that offers people the chance to choose bicycling as a healthy way to get around.<br />
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The mission of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is to improve the bicycling environment and thereby the quality of life in the region. The Federation does 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.<br />
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And 2004:<br />
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<blockquote>The mission of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, founded in 1985, is to improve the bicycling environment and thereby the quality of life in the region. The Federation does 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.
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And sometime <b>in 2007</b>, walking and transit were added to the website.<br />
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I don't get the "Transit" part.<br />
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I guess my ideals diverged from those of CBF somewhat recently (after 2004), and I was unaware. Sam S said:
I would have pref…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-11-19:2211490:Comment:248452008-11-19T00:16:36.808ZBikefreeekhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AlexWilson
<cite>Sam S said:</cite><br />
<i>I would have preferred a return to the original mission, or a decrease in scope to reflect the mission as it was, rather than a broadening of the mission. If the organization has a history of mission creep, where will they go next? Without focus, goals become fuzzy and nothing gets done. In fact, renaming and changing the mission is already out-of-scope... time and effort have already been wasted.<br />
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Chicago Bike Winter is a great example of a nicely focused group. I…</i>
<cite>Sam S said:</cite><br />
<i>I would have preferred a return to the original mission, or a decrease in scope to reflect the mission as it was, rather than a broadening of the mission. If the organization has a history of mission creep, where will they go next? Without focus, goals become fuzzy and nothing gets done. In fact, renaming and changing the mission is already out-of-scope... time and effort have already been wasted.<br />
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Chicago Bike Winter is a great example of a nicely focused group. I wouldn't want it to become walk, take the bus, and bike winter.<br />
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And why restart a new "Chicago Bike Federation" when we already had something substantially the same?</i><br />
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Well, evidently their mission as the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has been "creeping" (or maybe we should say walking or taking the bus when not biking) for quite awhile now and thus the change. This certainly isn't something they just decided give a try and see how it goes. Active members in CBF shouldn't be too suprised at this change and already know of this sort of work with well documented programs such as Sunday Parkways, Safe Routes to School, Bike and Walk to School Day and even the Commuter Challenge. All of these programs have a pedestrian and/or transit component to them.<br />
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I'm not sure what to think of opinions that believe that walking and transit hasn't been part of CBF's mission all along. As long as I've been active and involved with CBF (10 years or so) it's been part and in the scope of the mission. It hasn't been the main focus and I don't believe that it ever will be, but as Active Trans they will be able to gain more resources for some work that's been done all along.<br />
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BTW, Bike Winter does and has advocated for walking and transit plenty.<br />
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Also, Chicago Bike Federation was (evidently) an unsuccessful try at humor (I thought the sideways winking smiley face denoted that). ;-)<br />
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Don't worry, Active Trans is going to work as hard for bike issues as CBF ever did. Even harder I bet. Bikefreeek said:The Chicagola…tag:thechainlink.org,2008-11-18:2211490:Comment:248282008-11-18T22:37:26.201ZSam Shttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SamSwett
<cite>Bikefreeek said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hey-we-changed-our-name-were#2211490Comment24812"><div>The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has been doing pedestrian and public transit work for years. By being named the Chicagoland Bicycle Fedration it has limited the active transportation work that has been part of the work they've been doing for quite awhile. By having the name and mission more accurately describe the work that they already do the Active…</div>
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<cite>Bikefreeek said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hey-we-changed-our-name-were#2211490Comment24812"><div>The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has been doing pedestrian and public transit work for years. By being named the Chicagoland Bicycle Fedration it has limited the active transportation work that has been part of the work they've been doing for quite awhile. By having the name and mission more accurately describe the work that they already do the Active Transportation Alliance will be able to draw upon far more resources that will benefit bicycling, walking and transit.<br/></div>
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I would have preferred a return to the original mission, or a decrease in scope to reflect the mission as it was, rather than a broadening of the mission. If the organization has a history of <i>mission creep</i>, where will they go next? Without focus, goals become fuzzy and nothing gets done. In fact, renaming and changing the mission is already out-of-scope... time and effort have already been wasted.<br />
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Chicago Bike Winter is a great example of a nicely focused group. I wouldn't want it to become walk, take the bus, and bike winter.<br />
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And why restart a new "Chicago Bike Federation" when we already had something substantially the same?