phmelody

all things dr. melody

Biking while black, brown, woman, trans, femme, immigrant, poor, different, other…

Posted on August 18, 2015 by dr. melody

Image credit: road.co

What does it mean for a mobility tool to be symbolized as freedom, EMPOWERMENT, and a positive form of visibility

to simultaneously also be a means by which people can easily harass, profile, and taunt those choosing this form of mobility?

What is freedom if the police mark you as suspicious?

Image credit: ABC News

What is EMPOWERMENT if men catcall you?

Image credit: HollaBack

What is visibility if all you are trying to do is stay ~~invisible~~?

We must remember that while some of us find great freedom, empowerment and visibility in the BICYCLE, there are others of us who see the bicycle as yet another way to be profiled, harassed, and targeted.

Image credit: Miami New Times

Don’t get it? Check out this Healthy Connections report on how your fellow bicyclists feel while riding.

Re-blog: In a Wheelchair? Good Luck on Franklin Avenue

Posted on August 17, 2015 by dr. melody

Last month I wrote a short article about ADA compliance on Franklin Ave. in Minneapolis.

Franklin Ave. sidewalk

The focus is more on sidewalks, but the issue of equitable infrastructure remains.

From the article: Working-class and poor people get the worst pedestrian amenities even though they are the ones that use the sidewalks the most. These despicable conditions are at its worst in the poorest area of Franklin Avenue. It is no coincidence that these narrow sidewalks are on the edge of Phillips (the stereotypical “bad” neighborhood south of downtown).

Check out the article here!