In 1910, the streets of Norfolk were crowded with bicycles and street cars.

Classic cyclists in Norfolk. Pretty awesome.

Horses were on their way out, being replaced with newfangled horseless carriages. In 2010, the SUV reigns supreme, with paved cul de sacs, interstates and drive-thru-everything abounding.

But there’s been a turn away from the automobile. According to a new federal study, Americans are walking and biking more, and for purposes more practical than health and fitness. Over the past twenty years the number of trips taken by bike (to the store, to work, to school, etc), has more than doubled: from 18 billion in 1990 to 42.5 billion in 2009.

More and more people are choosing to leave their car in the driveway and ride a bike. And for every cyclist on the road, there are a dozen or more disgruntled drivers who feel stranded in their cars: A recent Transport 4 America survey found  that 73% of Americans strongly agreed that they had no choice but to drive as much as they do, and most, 57%, would like to spend less time in their cars.

For those of us already cycling, we have an opportunity to demonstrate that bicycles can once again become a common and normal part of our transportation infrastructure. Just as drunk drivers give all drivers a bad name, so too can a courteous, critical mass of cyclists inspire and change the general public.

Toward that end, I propose a cyclists’ manifesto for Hampton Roads:

Smile & Wave.

When you’re out and about on your bike, let the world know that you’re having a good time: smile at the delivery guy, and wave to drivers who share the road with you.

Share the Road.

Ride and drive courteously: whether walking, biking or driving, we need to be mindful of other road users. Yield to slower road users, and give them a little extra space when passing.

Same Road, Same Rules.

The civil rights movement of the Sixties dressed up for the occasion: playing by the rules earns respect. Similarly, cyclists and pedestrians can earn the respect of drivers by following the rules of the road. Legally speaking, cyclists in Virginia are obligated to obey all traffic laws when they ride on the roads. While it may be convenient to ignore stop signs and red lights, it does little to engender respect or community.

One Trip per Week by Bike.

Convenience begets habit, and habit begets vice: it’s easy to hop into the car for a quick, short run to the store, but a conscious choice to make a trip by bike once per week can change those habits. It’s far more pleasant to park a bike than a car in Ghent, especially if you live less than a couple miles from the Naro. Give it a try!

Bike Routes, with Signs.

Sharrows. Get it?

Our elected representatives at every level need to hear from us that we expect proportional funding and signage for cycling infrastructure: while bike paths separated from roads are ideal, “Share the Road” signs, bicycle route signs and sharrows will suffice in the meantime, making it more convenient for neophyte cyclists to become habitual cyclists.

Safe Routes to School.

An empty bike rack in front of an overcrowded school is a depressing indicator of our society’s over-reliance on the automobile. Just as we have trained generations of school children to drive to school in minivans and buses, establishing safe routes for walking and biking to school will encourage more sustainable behaviors.

Critical Mass.

At 6pm, local time, the last Friday of every month sees cyclists taking to the streets of cities around the world by the dozens, hundreds, and even thousands. In cities like San Francisco and New York, Critical Mass has (d)evolved into a raucous, anarchistic celebration of counterculture. But more often, in places like London, Burlington and Norfolk, Critical Mass is a courteous gathering of cyclists demonstrating that the roads can be shared.

We gather on the lawn of Blair Middle School on Colley Avenue, across from the Naro Cinema in Ghent. We’ll ride 5 or 6 miles at a casual pace, a family-friendly cohort of beach cruisers, fixies, baby trailers & BMX bikes. It’s a celebration of all that is fun and right on two wheels, and we need you.

Cycling can, and should be, the norm around here. If we follow this manifesto, we’re well on our way.

Below is a segment on Critical Mass by Channel 3.  (please note that it should be Colley, not College)

Critical Mass – Norfolk, VA from Neil Monday on Vimeo.