Illinois Department of Transportation Launches State Bikeway Plan Request for Proposals (RFP)

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on September 30, 2012 at 11:33pm

Seriously, I just can't get enough of stuff like this!

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on September 30, 2012 at 11:44pm

I dunno, Kevin.  Official state recognition that The Chainlink is where serious cyclists hang out, and therefore the place IDOT should be, is kind of flattering and refreshing.  And for us, it's kind of like having the Governor on speed dial.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on September 30, 2012 at 11:56pm

We shall see. I consider it to be far more likely that the chainlink represents one stop shopping for IDOT to reach 8000 pairs of eyeballs. Having the opportunity to submit a response to an RFP doesn't exactly give me a warm fuzzy.

 

Thunder Snow said:

I dunno, Kevin.  Official state recognition that The Chainlink is where serious cyclists hang out, and therefore the place IDOT should be, is kind of flattering and refreshing.  And for us, it's kind of like having the Governor on speed dial.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 1, 2012 at 12:29am

I'll be curious to hear more over time.  I've been encouraged about some of the IDOT projects of recent years, such as the planned Central Ave. underpass, which will create a bike and pedestrian friendly north-south route southwest of Midway Airport, an area that is now utterly lacking in such amenities.  I think I'll send an email and ask about the status of that project.

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on October 1, 2012 at 12:38am

Or just "friend" Gabe Sulkes here and pm him.  (Even having that possibility is what makes me think this might be a good thing.)

Anne Alt said:

I think I'll send an email and ask about the status of that project.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 1, 2012 at 7:53am

Hey all, I invited him to post the RFP.  There are many urban planners, engineers and others on here that may want to know about the RFP.  And this way the community can start  to get involved and understand the process of making infrastructural changes that affect us.

There has been the belief (by some) that IDOT focuses their attention on drivers or recreational cyclists and not putting money towards the needs of commuters while CDOT is focused on the city cyclists and their needs.    Having this RFP (request for proposal) to a broad audience of people who also may think  about commuter is, in my opinion, a good thing. 

Kevin - your response is a good one though that we should start to chat about (not here, I will start a new thread) - should we have a separate section for solicitations from companies, organizations, etc?

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on October 1, 2012 at 12:07pm

Wow, I think this is fantastic.  I, for one, didn't know that IDOT even had a Bicycling program, let alone a current RFP.  

Having worked in and with government for awhile, I can say that the goal is always to cast the broadest net when seeking applicants - whatever the nature of the award.   Likewise, public engagement is essential to the success of any civic program - from planning to execution.  And the most effective actors (in this case, "vendors") are those who choose to leverage existing networks like The Chainlink. 

I think IDOT can gain massive exposure by posting to this forum, and in doing so, join the ranks of industry leads looking to The Chainlink for an independent word on the street from the engaged masses. 

I think that in transportation (as in every industry) the long-standing institutions are now scrambling to establish a social media presence that can support their work in a new age.  Some reach out to The Chainlink rather than wholly reinventing the wheel.  I think that any vendor coming in for this RFP would be smart to do the same. 

So, thanks Christy, Gabe, et al for sharing here.  Keep us posted :) 

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on October 1, 2012 at 12:12pm

I personally think a successful chainlink would include participation from government representatives and agencies, and think a separate section should exist for such announcements, as for advertisements/specials.

Julie Hochstadter said:

Hey all, I invited him to post the RFP.  There are many urban planners, engineers and others on here that may want to know about the RFP.  And this way the community can start  to get involved and understand the process of making infrastructural changes that affect us.

There has been the belief (by some) that IDOT focuses their attention on drivers or recreational cyclists and not putting money towards the needs of commuters while CDOT is focused on the city cyclists and their needs.    Having this RFP (request for proposal) to a broad audience of people who also may think  about commuter is, in my opinion, a good thing. 

Kevin - your response is a good one though that we should start to chat about (not here, I will start a new thread) - should we have a separate section for solicitations from companies, organizations, etc?

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on October 1, 2012 at 1:45pm

Don't see the point of implementing a new section for people like IDOT, just sounds like a bunch of needless bureaucracy.  I think the forum should be inclusive and left the way it is, where anyone can contribute and participate in discussion.  I think that if these governmental groups were relegated to a separate forum they'd be easier to ignore, too.        

h' said:

I personally think a successful chainlink would include participation from government representatives and agencies, and think a separate section should exist for such announcements, as for advertisements/specials.

Julie Hochstadter said:

Hey all, I invited him to post the RFP.  There are many urban planners, engineers and others on here that may want to know about the RFP.  And this way the community can start  to get involved and understand the process of making infrastructural changes that affect us.

There has been the belief (by some) that IDOT focuses their attention on drivers or recreational cyclists and not putting money towards the needs of commuters while CDOT is focused on the city cyclists and their needs.    Having this RFP (request for proposal) to a broad audience of people who also may think  about commuter is, in my opinion, a good thing. 

Kevin - your response is a good one though that we should start to chat about (not here, I will start a new thread) - should we have a separate section for solicitations from companies, organizations, etc?

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 1, 2012 at 3:44pm

I'm with Howard on this.  In order to get better bike infrastructure and have input into the process, I think it would be helpful to have such informational postings here.  Urban planners and others who are interested in RFPs could benefit from finding that info more easily.  Those of us who wish to participate when there are opportunities for public input. 

Those who choose to ignore these informational posts are free to do so.

h' said:

I personally think a successful chainlink would include participation from government representatives and agencies, and think a separate section should exist for such announcements, as for advertisements/specials.

Julie Hochstadter said:

Hey all, I invited him to post the RFP.  There are many urban planners, engineers and others on here that may want to know about the RFP.  And this way the community can start  to get involved and understand the process of making infrastructural changes that affect us.

There has been the belief (by some) that IDOT focuses their attention on drivers or recreational cyclists and not putting money towards the needs of commuters while CDOT is focused on the city cyclists and their needs.    Having this RFP (request for proposal) to a broad audience of people who also may think  about commuter is, in my opinion, a good thing. 

Kevin - your response is a good one though that we should start to chat about (not here, I will start a new thread) - should we have a separate section for solicitations from companies, organizations, etc?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 26, 2012 at 5:16pm

[sound of crickets chirping]

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Permalink Reply by State of Illinois DOT--Bicycling on November 26, 2012 at 5:21pm

Stay tuned for updates on the State Bikeway Plan to be released shortly via the IDOT Bicycling Listserv.

To join the Listserv, send a blank email to join-dot-bicycling@lists.illinois.gov.

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