Hi Raleigh! Mary here. Really excited to be sending out the first blog post as Oaks and Spokes first (Interim) Executive Director! For those I have not met yet, I’m super jazzed about creating a more sustainable and equitable transportation model here in the City of Oaks and have been working in this space for the past ~decade as a planner, advocate and community member.
When coming to Raleigh, I had the good luck to be appointed to the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, which provided me a vantage of where we are to date, and the acceleration that will be needed to help create a community that is built for everyone. Y’all, I believe the status quo we’ve been doubling down on to date is failing us. I see it when someone is trudging down a busy street, in a ditch because we didn’t build them a sidewalk to arrive safely and with dignity at their destination. I see it when my kids ask me why we couldn’t take our bikes to the store, when no facility, of any kind (let alone an all ages and abilities facility I’d feel safe with my kiddos on!) was built. I see it when it takes 3 times longer to arrive to a locale by bus than hopping in a car. Our transportation system is broken, and with climate emissions and inequality soaring, it’s urgent we fix it.
The incremental approach we’ve taken to date is just not working. We have to do better, and we have to move faster if we are going to create a world where the next generation can thrive (where this generation can thrive). I could not be more excited to engage in the important community conversations we need to have to get Raleigh rolling, and y’all, I’m going to need you (yes, you!) to help me create this change and realize our community’s potential. I am so thankful for this amazing community and the members within it. On that note, I’d be remiss to not thank a few organizations that were instrumental in giving us the courage to move forward with this big step in our community. Special thanks to the board and staff at Bike Durham, Bike Easy and Bike PGH for taking time to provide consultation, input and expertise. These thought leaders have encouraged and inspired us and we can’t wait to work with them to create a better tomorrow.
Over the next few weeks and months, please stay tuned with Oaks and Spokes (e-newsletter, here) to see how you can help us advocate for a better tomorrow for this community we all love so much. Sending you all lots of light in a weird, dark and challenging year. Here is to hoping that 2021 brings us all calm and clarity to allow us to accelerate a better future – together. I’ll see you in the bike lane, Raleigh!