What is getting in the way on your commute?
As this city continues to grow and we seek faster ways to recapture our precious time, the commute to the city to work, play, or live is going to be a factor as more and more people call West Michigan their new home.
But are we ready really for what a growing city will entail?
As we approach the end of winter — and yes, it is getting closer — we need to begin to leverage conversation in our community about how we can begin to create space for multi-modalities in our city’s pathways.
The West Michigan Environmental Action Council kicks off their 2016 film series series with a documentary film that seeks to address some of the tensions and global contemporary history between motorists and urban cyclists with a one night only screening of
Bikes vs. Cars.
This continent-crossing film, directed by Swedish filmmaker Fredrik Gertten (
Bananas!*), showcases the role and real life struggles that communities and bike activists are engaging in throughout our cities.
We have seen in our own local culture how the bicycle can be used as a tool to alleviate some of society’s ills, from obesity to less gridlock/congestion. We all agree it is a good thing …for the most part.
But if you are up-to-speed on urban bike matters and are hoping this documentary might present new ideas to propel us forward, then sadly,
Bikes vs. Cars is just a replay of the same type of films you’ve seen before.
This is not to say the film should not be seen. It is a well-made, good documentary to take your friends or colleagues who are curious as to why it is important to begin talks now on this timely topic.
This film, aimed at pumping up the faithful, creates a battle narrative with cars as the title suggests, however, it does provide a chance to open dialogue within the various groups in our city working for (or against) the options in transportation in Grand Rapids.
My hopes as an aging idealist, who has seen the very best laid plans get paved over, is that common ground can be secured for all of us to navigate forward into a larger city. If both sides simply dig in or are pitted against each other, well, that’s a battle that will lead to more gridlock, which no film will be able to untangle easily.
We need to be engaged as a community now on this urban passage topic while it is a bit cooler outside. Not everyone will agree with this film, but we all know that we have to share the road. That’s a good place to start out at Tuesday’s screening of
Bikes vs. Cars.
Watch the Vimeo Bikes vs Cars trailer
here.
Admission: $5 suggested donation