Bikes and Equity
We need to talk about the intersection of bike advocacy, race, and equity.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at SVBC. We shouldn’t have to make an argument for why we want to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive in our advocacy or how this issue relates to biking–it’s the right thing to do. Our vision statement reads: “We envision a community that values, includes, and encourages bicycling for all purposes for all people.” We are committed to putting in the work to make this vision into reality.
In the past, when we have shared this with our members and supporters, we have experienced pushback that made us wonder if there would be a better time or better way to talk about these issues.
There is no perfect time or perfect way to discuss equity and bike advocacy. While we've gotten a start through our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan (located here) we haven't been nearly as bold and up front with our membership about this work as we should have.
Going forward, as we continue to implement that plan, we'll be more vocal about that work. We also need you to keep us honest. If you're interested, we have a team of board members, staff, members, and non-members who meet regularly to review this plan and hold the organization accountable to this work. Email volunteer@bikesiliconvalley.org for more information.
That being said, if you would like to learn more about the critical intersection of bike advocacy and equity, we have resources we would like to share with you that our staff has found to be helpful and informative. Some are specific to the bike world and some are not.
We’re not perfect (far from it!), we’re still learning, we will make mistakes, and we welcome you to send your resources to us, too, and let us know when we’ve messed up!
Articles
Why We Must Talk About Race When We Talk About Bikes by Tamika Butler
Bike Advocacy’s Blind Spot - Tanvi Misra interviews Dr. Adonia Lugo
Bicycling's Racist, Sexist, and Classist Beginnings, and How They Impact Bicycling Today by Taz Khatri
Bicycle Equity: Fairness and Justice in Bicycle Planning and Design by Hilary Angus
I Don’t Know How To Explain To You That You Should Care About Other People by Kayla Chadwick
Books
Bicycle/Race: Transportation, Culture, and Resistance by Dr. Adonia Lugo
Bike Lanes Are White Lanes by Melody Huffman
How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
Podcasts
Tamika Butler’s opening address at the 2017 Silicon Valley Bike Summit
Put Your Socks On - Reggie Miller on athletic greatness, racism, and the importance of uncomfortable conversations (Reggie talks about his entry to biking at 35:00 and discusses sports role in social movements and racism at 44:00)
Activists and Organizations to Follow
The Untokening - a multiracial collective that centers the lived experiences of marginalized communities to address mobility justice and equity.
Tamika Butler - Toole Design’s Director of Planning for California and the Director of Equity and Inclusion
Keith Benjamin - Director of Charleston Department of Traffic & Transportation
Dr. Adonia Lugo - urban anthropologist and mobility justice strategist based in Los Angeles
Ayesha McGowan - the first African-American female pro road cyclist
Naomi Doerner - nationally recognized transportation equity strategist
Charles T. Brown, MPA, CPD - self-proclaimed “street level researcher,” working at the intersection of transportation, health, and equity
Thank you for joining us on this journey as we educate ourselves and try to create a more equitable, just, and bike-friendly Silicon Valley. We’re honored to have you on our side supporting the bike movement.