bike laneWhen Bike&Walk Montclair launched its Bike Friendly Business Campaign this summer, it probably wasn’t expecting any complaints. After all, who could argue against the campaign’s mission to encourage locals to bike to businesses instead of drive by offering discounts at some stores?

Walkers, that’s who.

A few have grumbled on the Montclair Watercooler and elsewhere that the campaign discriminates against those who have always walked to local businesses. Shouldn’t we get discounts too? they essentially asked.

There has been much focus on bicycling recently, as everyone from urban planners to environmentalists to health advocates touts its many benefits. New Yorkers logged 1.28 million miles during the first month of the city’s newly implemented bike share program and others cities are set to launch their own programs.

But bicyclists have also faced a backlash recently, with one member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board bemoaning the city’s “all powerful” “totalitarian” bike lobby, and Brooklyn residents fighting against a proposed bike lane.

Perhaps Baristaville is experiencing its own backlash. Who, after all, hasn’t been at least a tiny bit inconvenienced by the number of cyclists who race down the area’s streets on a Saturday morning?

But it’s hard to argue that encouraging biking over driving is somehow unfair to others. And as Rika Alper, president of Bike&Walk Montclair tells Baristanet, the organization’s campaign is not over yet.

“Our Bike-Friendly Business campaign is a pilot, which we hope to expand in lots of ways, including adding a pedestrian component,” she said. “This is just the beginning!”

What do you think? Do the walkers have a point?

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16 replies on “A Bike Friendly Challenge Gets … Criticized?”

  2. I have not been inconvenienced by “the number of cyclists who race down the area’s streets on a saturday morning.” Not at all. Christina, what are you talking about?

    Although, I have been inconvenienced by the number of drivers who race down the area’s streets and don’t stop for me at the crosswalk.

  3. I’m perplexed by the IDIOTS who walk/run in the street instead of the sidewalk. Runners who stay close to the curb are one thing, but some of these fools run WAY INTO the roadway. My favorite are those with strollers.

    Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

    As for walker’s discount, how far does one have to walk for the discount? Showing a bike or a helmet as is required for the Bike discount is an easy one.

    For a walker, I have no idea how one might craft a credible policy.

  4. I have never been “… inconvenienced by the number of cyclists who race down the area’s streets on a Saturday morning…” Not at all. Christina, what are you talking about?

    Although I have been inconvenienced by some drivers who race down the area’s streets and don’t stop for me at the crosswalk!

  5. The Wall Street Journal having a tantrum because of the “‘totalitarian’ bike lobby”. What a hoot.

  6. I think the cyclists of Montclair need to realize that they are vehicles and ride on the streets. Way too many of them ride on the sidewalks terrorizing and endangering pedestrians.

  8. “I have not been inconvenienced by “the number of cyclists who race down the area’s streets on a saturday morning.” Not at all. Christina, what are you talking about?
    Although, I have been inconvenienced by the number of drivers who race down the area’s streets and don’t stop for me at the crosswalk.”

    Bears repeating a third time.

  10. I take the liberty of speaking for people with disabilities. It is frightening to encounter bikers or even runners who seem to have blinders on and seem to be focusing on their own objectives. And also people guiding baby stollers. A person in a wheelchair, or walking with a walker or cane (or even seniors who are unable to walk swiftly) cannot give way to a biker or runner or baby stroller within a split second.

  11. What I am saying, is that although bikers, runners and baby strollers have as much right at anyone else (even

  12. Oops, hit submit too fast. (even motor vehicles) they too have a responsibility to respect others and not assume they have the right of way.

  13. Please……Everyone stay inside…..This need to leave your house and get about is getting out of control.

  14. As someone who does a lot of cycling in b-ville, I do have to say that one of my pet peeves is when cyclists ride 2 or 3 abreast on the streets. Single file please, for your safety and ours! More often than not the offending cyclists are middle aged men who look like they just returned from a shopping shopping spree in the Tour de France store, sporting muffin top-inducing bike shorts. Just because you dropped a few grand on your equipment and outfits does not give the right to clog the streets with your peloton.

  15. When I ride out I feel like Mark Cavendish or Tejay Van Garderen no matter what I’m wearing. All you parents riding with your helmeted kids….Please wear a helmet. Nothing worse than Drain Bramage in an adult! Whose gonna raise your children?

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