Cascade Bicycle Club Strategic Plan

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1 The Greater Context Bicycling has become fundamentally important as large-scale currents of change threaten the health, economy and livability of communities throughout the United States and the world in the 21 st century: Congestion, lost productivity, air pollution and urban sprawl threaten individual well-being, the economic vitality of our cities and the sense of community essential to a healthy civic society. A growing epidemic of obesity and the related health effects of diabetes and heart disease linked to social isolation and sedentary lifestyles are projected to reduce the life expectancy of Americans for the first time in history. Growth of the global economy and the rising expectations of the growing middle class in emerging economies are placing unprecedented demands on the earth s resources. Global climate disruption linked to human activity threatens the very foundation of our prosperity and way of life. The combined ecological, social, economic and political impact of these trends is engendering widespread dialogue among policy makers including those in the Central Puget Sound region about how we will live, how we will design our cities and communities, how we will move people and goods and how bicycling will play a role as a solution. Approved September 2011 Page 1

2 The Bicycling Solution Bicycling provides low-cost solutions to the challenges we face locally and globally, including traffic congestion, CO 2 and other emissions and health problems due to lack of exercise. Bicycling has always served as a healthy and fun recreational activity and a convenient way to commute to work and do errands. Consequently, bicycling offers a compelling way to help solve pressing global problems and an opportunity to feel in touch with and personally connected to one s community. Cities around the world and some in the U.S. have demonstrated the positive impacts that bicycling can have on a society and today bicycling is increasingly popular. In Seattle, the number of people who commute to work has grown by 15% over the last two years and bike commuting now has a 3% mode share, one of the highest in the country. Recreationally, Cascade s RAW and RSVP events sell out within hours, as do other highly popular events such as RAMROD, suggesting a huge interest in and demand for recreational cycling. Yet these and other statistics also point to the tremendous opportunity to encourage more and more people to bicycle, to have bicycling contribute to a lighter human footprint and to improve the health and well-being of our community. Over 95% of workers do not ride to work in Seattle 99% in our region and over 50%, who indicate they might ride, cite safety as the major deterrent. Demographically, bicycling is most popular with white males aged 25-60; the opportunity to get women, youth and ethnically diverse populations riding for both daily activities and play is compelling and indeed essential for the sustainability of our region. Approved September 2011 Page 2

3 Mission Creating a Better Community through Bicycling Vision Vision Summary: Cascade Bicycle Club envisions a community that bicycles an inclusive, diverse and accepting community where people of all ages and backgrounds bicycle to work, to get around, and for fun and for health, and where bicycling brings people and neighborhoods together. Bicycling will be convenient and safe, connected by a world- class bicycling infrastructure and widely recognized and appreciated as an important contributor to a healthy and fun life and a prosperous and livable community. Given the global context, local momentum and tremendous opportunities, Cascade Bicycle Club envisions a geographically broad Pacific Northwest community that bicycles one where bicycling is widely recognized and appreciated as an important contributor to living a healthy, connected and fun life for everyone and a key indicator of livable cities and neighborhoods. This community will be an accepting and inclusive community, one where people of all ages and backgrounds bicycle to work, to get around, for fun and for health. This community will be a connected community, enabled by a world-class bicycling infrastructure, where cycling is convenient and safe and offers people the opportunity to reconnect with each other and reestablish a sense of place. This community will be a livable community, one where cycling and other active transportation options contribute to economic prosperity, cleaner air, healthier people and a stable climate. Leveraged by Cascade Bicycle Club as the premier bicycling organization in the region, a growing and supportive collaboration of individuals, companies, organizations and political leaders will all realize and act on the potential for cycling to create a better community. The region will see a dramatic increase in the number and types of people riding a bicycle where bicycling for transportation and recreation is normal and mainstream and where cycling is a major catalyst to this inclusive, connected, and livable future. In short, Cascade Bicycle Club envisions a Pacific Northwest community that bicycles an inclusive, diverse and accepting community where people of all ages and backgrounds bicycle to work, to get around, and for fun and for health, and where bicycling brings people and neighborhoods together. Bicycling will be convenient and safe, connected by a world- class bicycling infrastructure and widely recognized and appreciated as an important contributor to a healthy and fun life and prosperous and livable communities. Approved September 2011 Page 3

4 Goal I: Engagement To get more people of all communities, backgrounds and ages to cycle regularly and safely for transportation, fitness, recreation and daily activities. 1. Motivate, encourage and inspire infrequent riders to ride more frequently. 2. Diversify cycling community by focusing on underrepresented demographics and geographic areas. 3. Reduce and eliminate barriers to bicycling and make cycling easy, accessible and fun. 4. Deepen relationships with members to increase retention, inspire loyalty and stimulate broad participation in club activities. Goal II: Community Partnership To cultivate a community of bicyclists and non-bicyclists who respect each other on the road and trail and a broad-based coalition that supports bicycling as part of a larger vision of healthy, sustainable, and connected living. 1. Educate and mobilize businesses, governments and key organizations to become active partners with Cascade and with each other in realizing our vision. 2. Shape and lead a positive public dialogue about mutual respect on the road and trails. 3. Seek out, engage in and influence high-impact opportunities to move a pro-cycling agenda. 4. Educate bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians how to interact safely on roads and trails. Approved September 2011 Page 4

5 Goal III: Infrastructure To significantly expand and improve infrastructure that facilitates safe and convenient cycling. 1. Educate and advocate to our elected officials and public agencies to ensure funding and policies that advance safe, convenient, equitable, and connected bicycling infrastructure. 2. Engage and mobilize employers, organizations and developers to build world-class endof-trip facilities. 3. Make Seattle a national leader in innovative, high-quality, accessible and connected bicycle infrastructure. 4. Selectively advance bicycling projects that improve network connectivity in the greater Puget Sound region. Goal IV: Presence To increase the visibility of the Cascade Bicycle Club to reach a broader audience. 1. Retain and increase Cascade s membership and constituency and increase their associated engagement and activism. 2. Engage in high-impact opportunities that will amplify our influence. 3. Cultivate, support, and hold accountable bicycle-friendly leaders at all levels of government. Approved September 2011 Page 5