Ithaca has a great reputation for enlightened amenities. Our parks and views, restaurants and local currency, academic institutions and vibrant farmers market all earn well deserved praise. But when it comes to things that many other cities have done to promote pedestrian and bicycle activities, Ithaca seems virtually paralyzed, almost comically incapable of action.

The Ithaca Bike Plan this year celebrates its 20th aniversary (near as I can determine). During those years, there have been committees, studies, grants, reviews, and reappraisals. The current situation seems to be that there exists an approved bike plan, but its implementation for some reason is not happening. It is to be hoped that with more active attention and participation from cyclists in the coming months, much of this will become more clear and, perhaps, we can see some “facts on the ground” at last.

Here are a couple illuminating documents.

• An informal history of Ithaca’s Bike Plan – this is by the one person who has been “through it all,” David Nutter. Dave probably knows more about the city’s planning and unplanning as well as about research and legilation related to cycling than anyone else in town.
• Riding Herd: Bicyclists vent their frustrations over the city’s lack of action, an article in the Ithaca Times by Gene Ira Katz. This was an extensive summary of the state of affairs — in 1997! At that time, a decade ago, people actually thought something was about to happen.