First off, Boulder Mountainbike Alliance wants to thank all of you who have already stepped up to the plate by writing letters to the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) and signing our petition. Know that your voices are being heard. Now it's time for one last push - let's get geared up to represent at the OSBT meeting tonight!
The time has come to show Boulder that mountain bikers are not a special interest, we are the very fabric of this community.
Are you coming to the OSBT meeting?
Wear a green shirt
&
a bike helmet
Nothing says "I'm a mountain biker, and I support BMA's modest proposal" quite like the BMA colors and a bike helmet!
What do I do at this meeting?
Show up on Wednesday 2/9 at City Council chambers - that's the Municipal Building on the southwest corner of Canyon and Broadway (1777 Broadway) after work.
Gather around your fellow mountain bikers and introduce yourself. BMA's advocacy team will be there with nametags and green BMA t-shirts on. Ask them questions when you show up.
If you want to speak, signups will start at 5:00 pm and the meeting itself starts at 6:00pm. The mountain bike opposition will likely be there even earlier, so if you want an early slot on the speakers list, try to arrive even earlier than 5:00 pm.
When you speak, it's enough to just get up there and say your name, your address, and "I support BMA's modest proposal." But feel free to say more if you'd like to. Your comments will dispel the myth that all mountain bikers are 20-something, meat-headed, adrenaline fueled, selfish people with no concern for families, our community, or our environment.
Above all else, keep it positive!
What if I can't make it there tonight?
Some points to consider
- Know that the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) is not the same as open space staff. Staff opposed bike access, but OSBT has not made ANY decision yet regarding bikes in the WTSA. They are unpaid appointees and deserve our respect.
- If you are angry, please show up, but do not speak. We MUST continue to put forward constructive, pragmatic solutions if we are to succeed.
- Get there early if you want a seat. OSMP staff will be downstairs defending their recommendations. Don't bother talking to them, they have made their position crystal clear, and there won't be any change. Walk by, go upstairs and get your seat. There will be overflow seating with streaming video downstairs and some of us will be milling around outside the building.
- There will be people in the room who hate bikes and will be looking for debate and/or confrontation. Take the high road and do not engage!
WE WILL NEED YOU THERE. HUNDREDS OF YOU!
