Equity and accessibility are not just ideals; they are the foundational principles upon which a truly inclusive Bike America must be built. For cycling to be for everyone, it must be just and fair, allowing every individual, regardless of background or ability, to participate and thrive within the biking community and infrastructure. Understanding and implementing equity and accessibility are crucial steps towards realizing the full potential of Bike America.
Defining Equity in Bike America
In the context of Bike America, equity is defined as the commitment to just and fair inclusion, ensuring everyone can participate and prosper in society. It’s about creating conditions where all individuals can reach their full potential. This requires actively addressing and eliminating disparities that are based on race, income, ability, geography, age, gender, and sexual orientation. Equity recognizes historical and systemic disadvantages faced by underserved and underrepresented populations. Therefore, fairness goes beyond simply providing equal opportunities; it necessitates addressing existing imbalances to ensure effective opportunities are available to all groups within Bike America.
Defining Accessibility in Bike America
Accessibility in Bike America focuses on improving and expanding access and mobility options for every person, with a particular emphasis on individuals with disabilities. This includes both visible and invisible disabilities, recognizing that mobility challenges can arise from various sources, including cognitive, sensory, or physical disabilities, as well as age, temporary illness, or injury. For many facing these challenges, a bike or cycle can unlock a world of possibilities, significantly enhancing their mobility and independence within Bike America. Creating accessible bike infrastructure and programs is vital to ensure that Bike America truly welcomes and serves everyone.
Why Equity & Accessibility are Essential for Bike Friendly America
Equity and accessibility are not supplementary considerations but rather the essential lenses through which all initiatives aimed at creating a Bicycle Friendly America must be viewed. To achieve a truly inclusive and welcoming biking culture across Bike America, these principles must be integrated into every aspect of planning and development. The Bicycle Friendly America program recognizes this imperative and has incorporated updates to its application process to further emphasize equity and accessibility. These updates reflect the valuable input from diverse communities and advocates, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in making Bike America equitable and accessible for all.
Ongoing Commitment to Equity and Accessibility
The journey towards achieving full equity and accessibility in Bike America is ongoing and requires continuous effort. The League of American Bicyclists is committed to listening, learning, and engaging with partners, local advocates, and communities to further integrate these critical principles into the Bicycle Friendly America program. This commitment ensures that Bike America evolves to reflect new ideas, address emerging challenges, and strive for a more inclusive and accessible biking experience for everyone.
