2024 Resolutions
The new year is a perfect time to sit back, reflect on the year prior, and plot a course for the year ahead. 2023 saw the beginning of NFKBC and its development throughout the year. Logos were designed, mission statements crafted, the first formative interviews recorded, streetscapes redesigned, etc. etc. It was a good year but also one of figuring out just what this organization can and should be. Below is a list of forthcoming efforts, in order of their projected start or completion date, for 2024.
Resolution 1: finish the bike shop documentary
Initially conceived as a roundtable discussion between all of Norfolk’s local bicycle shops on “bike culture,” the bike shop documentary has seen delays from scheduling conflicts for recording interviews and my personal health troubles later in the year. In fact the production process has lasted long-enough for Norfolk to lose a bike shop! With only one interview and final edits remaining production should be complete by the end of January with a public screening in February.
Resolution 2: grow the team
A majority of NFKBC development and content has been from yours truly. That’s fine as far as getting the organization off the ground is concerned, but the lack of additional hands and varied perspective has bugged me since autumn. If NFKBC is going to be effective at promoting cycling-as-transportation in Norfolk it can’t be a one man effort. Whether it’s through guest contributions for articles and social media posts or the creation of a proper team look forward to a recruiting push in 2024 (authors note: if you’re at all interested in making a contribution or joining the team, click here).
Resolution 3a: stick to cycling
“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” - Stephen Covey
In the military “mission creep” is seen as an undesired gradual change in focus or objectives. NFKBC’s mission is to promote “a safer, cleaner, quieter, healthier, and better-connected Norfolk through bicycle use and infrastructure.” Not walking, not mass transit, not housing, not business, not recreation; bicycle transportation. It has been difficult at times to keep the focus on cycling in part because there is so much overlap between various touch points within the larger “urbanism sphere.” Yet if NFKBC is to be successful in its mission the organization will have to remain laser-focused on staying in its (bike) lane, so to speak. The reason this resolution has two parts is that the best way to maintain this focus without neglecting overlapping interests is…
Resolution 3b: partner with other community organizations
Norfolk can be improved through bicycle use and infrastructure, but that’s far from the only mechanism by which it can be improved! Given overlapping interests and adjacent communities related to urbanism, it’s in NFKBC’s best interest to team up with other social organizations. Interviews with the Elizabeth River Trail and volunteer events with Bike Norfolk were first steps into these collaborations. Membership with Strong Towns was also a step in this direction and (without giving too much away) may signal the beginning of a shift in operations. Regardless of how things look later this year you can expect to see more NFKBC + in the future.
2023 was a great year and very much a time of figuring out what this organization was going to be. 2024 looks to bring even more excitement as we start to really get work done now that we have a foundation built. Whatever you have planned for the new year I wish you all health and peace, both of which I might add can often be found on a bike!
