Thanks, TucsonVelo, for passing this great
report on.
Interesting to note that Tucson is 15 in
biking and walking levels and in the lower
third of advocacy.
So I guess that means people are
doing it, yet the leaders refuse to
follow in accommodating it.

Depends on the definition of “advocacy” – if the definition used in this study is the “official” (i.e. local government) promotion of bicycling, I’m surprised that we rate low, it seems like this city makes a stronger effort towards *promotion* of cycling than most places I’ve lived. If they define advocacy as promotion by citizen groups, that makes more sense – while Tucson is far from perfect, there is just less for cyclists to complain about here.

It’s an interesting study, but is it vetted?

Have we asked Thivener and Zoll their thoughts?

Red Star,

I haven’t spoken with either of them yet, but had planned on getting their take on it.

Update: I just sent them email with a few questions. I’ll update the post when I get their responses.

I liked the 600 miles of (sub standard) bike lanes, 230 miles of trails (or single track that goes nowhere???), and 40 miles of bike routes (which there might be the same thing only a quarter mile down and not signed) on the grid in Phoenix.

Yea but when you don’t have bike infrastructure look (every major street) the flip out. youtube.com/bodybait is a channel of my commutes and short cycle clips.

Thanks for the info!

I wrote my concerns about the complete shutdown of the Brad Gorman Memorial by Rep. Carrol. Being a new resident to the area and an avid biker, I was shocked in what took place. I shared my newness to the area and my surprise at the decision. With all the biking enthusiasts why Rep Carrol would take such a position and not even hold a public hearing. I basically told Carrol that it seemed to me that his office was no different than many political offices that cater to votes and not the overall representation of the will of the people. I voiced I could not support the re-election of such a person as Mr. Carrol.

What a “shocker” is the email reply I got today and wish to share will all of you. It seems that an anti-bike mentality exists by Mr. Carrol, but the reply by his aid was truly shocking to see the attitude revealed.

Here is the email reply………

> I will be sure that Supervisor Carroll sees your message. It is unfortunate that you have chosen to make a number of bad assumptions and false accusations without even giving Supervisor Carroll the chance to explain the specific circumstances in this case. Obviously, the facts are unimportant to you, as your tirade indicates, so it would be a waste of my energy to respond in kind.
>
> With regards to the next election, you have every right to support whomever you chose or to oppose — that is the basis of our great democracy. We trust that the voters of our district are intelligent enough to re-elect Ray, as they have done decidedly in each of the last four elections that we have won.
>
> Perhaps if you lived in Pima County longer than “last October” you would not have such an uninformed and biased misjudgment with regards to your Supervisor, or to jump to conclusions so recklessly.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> Scott Egan
> Executive Assistant to Ray Carroll
> District 4

**….. giving Supervisor Carroll the chance
to explain the specific circumstances in this case.**

That could have been done at a public meeting….
it could have been done in this reply….
Has it been done? Have I not looked in the
right place to see it?
It was a rather hush-hush topic at the
last T-PCBAC meeting.
Do I have to follow him on Twitter?
Be a friend on Facebook?
Is it on his web site?
Does he have a blog?
Will he text it to me?
So many forms of communication….
so little communicating.

In regards to my comments to Mr. & Mrs Naanes (“Tucson Speedo” above) I think it would have been a little more intellectually honest if they had printed their complete message to Supervisor Ray Carroll’s office, rather than just my response. I have, therefore, included their message below. I think anyone in my position who would receive such a threatening letter would respond in a similar way. I have no apology to make, and stand by my comments.

As we have tried to explain to those who have contacted us to ask for information (rather then those who just blindly went on the attack), the orginal site was dumped because the process was handled very poorly by Pima County staff. The site orginally selected was done so without any consultation with the neighbors in the area, who adamantly objected to the plan once they learned about it. Supervisor Carroll still supports the concept, and we are looking for an alternative site, but the well has already been poisoned at the original one and will no longer be considered. We will certainly have a public meeting when county staff comes back with some alternative sites, and we hope to create a place that is acceptable to bike riders and neighbors in the area.

Sincerely,
Scott Egan
Executive Assistant to Ray Carroll
District 4

***************************************************************************
Dear Mr. Carroll:

We live just off the Catalina Highway near Snyder Road. We moved here last October from Colorado. We moved to this particular area because of the large interest in biking as my wife is an avid biker. Both of us were thrilled to learn of the Brad Gorman Bike Memorial and how supportive the area was of such a wonderful memorial.

Sadly, we find that like other areas of our Country, there are those, like yourself, that could care less about the general consensus and more about who’s vote you may get. You are no more than a typical politician. You have lost our vote to re-elect you because for your stand on the Gorman Bike Memorial. It is politicians like you we need to get rid of. Your interests are not for the people, but for your own re-election and personal gain. It is very sad to know, we moved here and now have to deal with bad politicians like yourself. Hopefully, we can get rid of you the next election. We wil boith be working to make sure you are not re-elected.

Cynthia & George Naanes

Scott,

Thanks for posting that. I meant to ask “TucsonSpeedo” to send the entire email for a sense of transparency, but let it slip my mind. So thanks.

I think it is clear that people are passionate about the issue and extremely disappointed that it appears like it isn’t going to happen.

I mentioned in an update to another post that I am going to meet with Mr. Carroll on Thursday and want to hear from all of you about what you want to know about the trailhead.

Mike McKisson

Would the adamant objections been any less
if county staff had handled the process perfectly?

Yes, Mike.

Please ask how canceling the public meeting served
the process.
Did the county’s mishandling of the project
give those who objected to it more influence?
It seems the county opted for less transparency
than what would be normally provided.

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