This website was started after the 2008 summit on getting kids on bikes. At the meeting, there was a huge number of ideas from all sorts of individuals, but we never got the chance to truly visit any one in an in depth way. Basically, this site is designed to serve as an open forum to post and review ideas, as well as to organize or publicize events related to Boulder County youth cycling.
The idea here is that any one can view or comment on other people's ideas, in addition to posting their own. To publish new posts, you will need to contact the moderator (email link is on the top right) and preferably have a blogger account. It's very easy, and will hopefully provide some more organization and structure to the various ideas people have.
1 comment:
A blog is a great idea Sam, thanks for setting this up.
I thought the most salient points to come out of the meeting were made by the younger people.
They echo the first two points in the group's "Mission and Goals" - we can only motivate and create new cyclists by making cycling cool and engaging.
It seems Boulder's reputation as a stable for hard-core cyclists is actually an obstacle for some kids.
As one of the lads told me after the meeting "Nothing is cool about shaving your legs and riding around in lycra."
Other cities, for example Aptos/Santa Cruz, appear to have a large percentage of kids riding for fun, per-capita. That region is a hotbed for dirt jump athletes, many of whom are teenagers and I believe their "street cred" has helped establish a verified, accessible subculture among kids there.
Perhaps we could support and promote local dirt riding athletes (the kids that ride the dirt park at The Fix), freestyle BMX, or perhaps a laid back "cruiser culture"?
Or is there a way to "package" the achievements of internationally successful local junior cyclists in a way that appeals to teens?
I think we should be mindful that any events and advertising must present bikes as fun and hip first, and as commuting vehicles second.
I like the idea of asking more kids so a focus group seems logical.
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