Riding With “The Bike Czar”
Grant Wencel doesn't have all the answers right now---in fact, he doesn't have many answers at all. But he's curious about the city, the people, and the attitudes within, and he's full of questions and inquisitions. And after a month on the job as the City of Spokane's bike and pedestrian coordinator, he's finally not saying "your town" anymore. You're one of us now Grant--- Welcome!
(Above: Spokane bike path map. Click here to enlarge.)
We had the pleasure last Thursday to tour northwest Spokane with the city's newest civic representative Grant Wencel--- the appointed "Bike Czar". Keeping in mind that expectations are high and having difficulty concealing our overzealous bike enthusiasm, we decided on more of an informal meet and greet than anything else (not to mention it was one hell of an excuse to take a bike ride on a sunlit evening when the city works its outdoor magic). The critical interview will have to wait. But our conversation with Grant ranged from the perceptions of a Spokane Transplant---a trait all three of us admittedly share--- to the best place to grab a beer and pizza in Spokane (Benneditos).
We all agreed Spokane is visually as good as any town in the region for biking, maybe better, with the Centennial Trail along the river and historical neighborhoods adding to the ever-present stimuli. However, it’s getting citizens to exercise an entirely different part of their brain---bike as a viable alternative transportation method---that will fuel a new sensibility. Money too. With the success of Bike To Work Week and the much-anticipated Spokefest (September 13th!), we let him know there’s a groundswell in wait.
Throughout the course of our ride which took us all around northwest Spokane, Grant was equally interested in what we thought were important issues and what our readers were interested in as we were in hearing about what sort of funds might be out there for bicycle infrastructure, education, and outreach. (Hint: The Smart Routes campaign, an effort by the city to bring in $50 million of federal money for use on alternative transportation which… he wasn’t quite ready to discuss.) Careful with his answers, and deliberate in his formation of thoughts--- he was indeed, as we had heard before, best described as “pragmatic” which is a necessary characteristic for a civic employee. Grant answered all of our inquiries to the best of his knowledge, and demonstrated a vested interest in the success of bicycle and pedestrian growth in Spokane. It’s still early---again he has only been here for a month, coming from Bend, Oregon---but occasionally the transplant status is advantageous as it brings a fresh perspective to an old city set in its ways.
We hope to bring you more news and information soon about Grant and his new role in the city, and we hope that you have an opportunity to run into him at future public events.
